Orientation to OCDS : Place: Divya Sadan, Bangalore Date: 16-08-2026
The first meeting of the OCDS Bangalore took place at Divya Sadan at 4:00 p.m. The convenor of the meeting, Rev. Fr. Lancy Mendonca on behalf of the Spiritual Assistant Rev. Fr Rayan Pinto, began the meeting with information on the plans for the evening, the speakers of the day and the friars of the community at Divya Sadan. The meeting started with Fr. Lancy leading us in prayer and invoking the Lord and the Blessed Mother to lead and guide us as we begin this new journey. Attendees, Jason and Alroy were invited to sing a hymn. The main speaker of the day, Rev. Fr. Silvestre D'Souza, the Provincial Councillor of the Karnataka-Goa Province, was given a personal introduction by the convenor of the meeting. Fr. Silvestre began to break down the basics of the mendicant religious orders and as to how and where the Camelite Order started and its place in the Church as a “source of prayer”. A brief yet intricate explanation on the origins of the reformation within the Carmelite Order by Sts. Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross in the 16th century that led to formation of the Order of Discalced Carmelites was offered to all. The branches of Carmel were explained and how each one functions as per their state of life and the same charism of being “rooted in prayer”. Fr. Silvestre went on to state how the OCDS was the only secular order that was approved by the Vatican in 2003 and how it had its own constitution, statues and a structured formation. The statues of the OCDS were touched upon to give the attendees a glimpse of the commitment that they would be required to undertake as a Secular member of the order. The foundational 6 ‘M’s were explained and why they play a key role for a Carmelite. Further, the attendees were instructed on stages of formation and the intricacies that entailed each stage. Also explained was the functioning of the OCDS which is governed locally by its members and overseen at the Provincial level. Finally, Fr. Silvestre gave a quick run-through about the ‘Karnataka-Goa Province’ explaining the mission and numbering the Monasteries, Friars, Cloistered Nuns and Seculars within the governance of the Province.
The second speaker of the day, Mr. Roy Rodrigues, OCDS Provincial Council President gave his experience of being part of the OCDS. Taking us through his life right from his initial days of being part of the OCDS and to now being a professed member. Being a family man and a working professional, he shed light on how being an OCDS in civil society makes one more Christ-like and serve the needs of the society at large. Mr. Roy’s view helped us understand how one could practically live the life of an OCDS member. After the talk, the floor was opened up for the attendees to raise questions or seek further clarifications regarding the session or personal challenges regarding the same.
Mrs. Montina Pereira gave the vote of thanks and thanked Rev. Fr. Lancy, Rev. Fr. Silvestre the Provincial Councillor, Rev. Fr. Anil, the Superior at Divya Sadan, Rev. Fr. Ligoury and Rev. Fr. Rayan the Spiritual Assistant for OCDS and Mr. Roy Rodrigues, OCDS. Snacks with refreshments were served by the Divya Sadan community and the meeting concluded at 5:30 p.m. with pleasantries exchanged.
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