Lenten Recollection for New OCDS Community, Pune
The new OCDS community, Mother of Divine Grace OCDS Community, Cloistered Carmel Pune, had its Lenten Recollection for the OCDS Come and See candidates on 08 March at the Pune Cloistered Carmel.

The Lenten Recollection commenced at 10:00 am with the registration of members. Each participant was provided with a copy of the Book of Statutes for the OCDS, the Rule of St Albert, and the Constitution of the Secular Order of Teresian Carmel. The programme began with an introduction by Fr Lancy Mendonca OCD, the Spiritual Assistant of the community, who spoke about the importance of the Lenten Recollection and invited the members to enter into the day with a spirit of prayer and reflection. The gathering then opened with a prayer offered for the cause of world peace.

At 10:30 am the first talk began and continued until 11:30 am. The session was led by Mrs Jubilee Cardozo OCDS, President of the St Elizabeth of the Trinity Community, Mira Road, Mumbai. She commenced with prayer and spoke eloquently on the centrality of prayer in Carmelite spirituality. In her presentation she explained the four stages of prayer and emphasised that the Carmelite community rests on two fundamental pillars: prayer and community life. Drawing from the teachings of St Teresa of Avila, she highlighted the importance of prayer, its spiritual benefits, and practical ways of cultivating a deep and living relationship with Christ. She concluded her talk by responding to questions from the members and offering several points for personal reflection.

From 11:30 am to 12:15 pm time was set aside for silent personal prayer and reflection, allowing the members to meditate on the themes that had been presented in the first talk and to deepen their personal encounter with the Lord.

Lunch followed at 12:30 pm and began with a prayer of thanksgiving. The meal was lovingly prepared by the Sisters of the Cloistered Carmel. Dessert was graciously sponsored by Fr Lancy Mendonca OCD, while water and juice tetra packs were generously provided by Mr Arthur, a member of the OCDS community. The members enjoyed a sumptuous meal and the time of fellowship refreshed them for the afternoon session.

The second talk was held from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm and was delivered by Mrs Diana Wilson OCDS, a member of the St Elizabeth of the Trinity Community, Mira Road, Mumbai. She spoke on the theme of community life and mission within the OCDS vocation. In her talk she elaborated on the responsibilities of members and the spirit that should animate life within the community. She encouraged each member to embrace the personal mission to which they are called and to live out their vocation by showing love, compassion, and mercy towards fellow members as well as towards all those they encounter in their daily lives.

At 2:30 pm the community gathered to pray the Way of the Cross together. This was followed by a brief period of quiet reflection until 3:00 pm, providing another opportunity for the members to enter more deeply into the Lenten spirit of prayer and contemplation.

From 3:15 pm to 4:00 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was held. During this time the members were also given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confession. Both Fr Pradeep Pinto OCD and Fr Lancy Mendonca OCD were available to minister to the community during this time of prayer and reconciliation.

At 4:15 pm Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr Pradeep Pinto OCD together with Fr Lancy Mendonca OCD. During the celebration of the Eucharist, Fr Pradeep Pinto OCD delivered a beautiful and inspiring homily that gathered together the spiritual themes of the day and brought the recollection to a fitting conclusion.

The programme concluded at 5:00 pm with tea and a joyful celebration of International Women’s Day. The members came together in a spirit of gratitude, fraternity, and Carmelite joy, bringing the Lenten Recollection to a warm and meaningful close.