The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

Ruins of Mt. Carmel Church

The Community of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross of Modesto, California, meets on the third Saturday of the month at Lady of Fatima Church in Modesto, California. We have members from parishes from the Dioceses of Stockton, Sacramento, and Fresno.

Our Community was formed by few women who had a love for contemplative prayer and Carmelite spirituality. For many years they met and educated themselves about how to form a Carmelite Community and others joined them. At first they met monthly as a study group, studying the life of St. Teresa of Jesus, St. John of the Cross, and the Little Flower. During the group they prayed the Divine Office, had a teaching from their spiritual assistant, formation lessons, and a social time. As they became more organized and structured they followed the criteria for becoming a Carmelite Community. The Modesto community was canonically established August 03, 2001.

We welcome new members that are practicing Catholics to come and visit us. There is an application process before you may attend on a regular basis. Our OCDS Community is dynamic and full of zeal for the Lord and their Community. Many of our members are active in their parishes. Being a Carmelite Secular is about contemplative prayer and action.

If you feel a calling please contact us and arrange a month to visit. We will welcome you, educate you about our Community and encourage you as you discern whether you want to start a journey in the formation to be a Carmelite.