What are the obligations of a Secular Carmelite?
The Secular Carmelite assumes these main obligations.
What are the requirements for admission to the Secular Order?
![OCDS Shield](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/OCDS-Shield.png)
The Rule states that “any member of the Church, who is called to the Lord, is free from impediments, and conscientiously accepts his/her own vocation and the Rule of Life offered by the Secular Order, can apply to a fraternity.” Local Statutes also impose minor requirements.
On Mount Carmel…
![Megadim Cliff on Mt Carmel in modern day Israel](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Mount-Carmel-1024x768.jpg)
Mount Carmel, a promontory in north Palestine overlooking the Mediterranean, is mentioned in the Bible as a holy place. There, the prophet Elijah defended the purity of faith against the prophets of Baal.
Why is the Order called ‘Discalced’?
![Picture of sandals left on the sand](https://carmel.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sandals.jpg)
‘Discalced’ literally means ‘without shoes’. The term was commonly used in religious parlance at the time if St Teresa of Jesus to indicate an order which had reformed itself and adopted a more dedicated and austere form of life. Members of these orders went barefooted or wore some form of open sandals.