Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community (OCDS) Carmelite Monastery, Margao Goa.
The Carmelite Monastery at Margao was established in the year 1939. Evidence points out to the existence of a tertiary community from around the same time. They had a library and a book in Portuguese for the propagation of devotion to the Infant Jesus which was published by them.
Fr. Jose Maria the first Goan Carmelite founded Lar de Santa Terezinha for orphan and abandoned girls in 1947. It was entrusted to some women tertiaries. They made private promises and wore a typical Carmelite habit. Sr. Maria Christina, was the last surviving member of these women at Lar and she expired in 2005.
The so called Third Order Carmelites, were reorganized and the new Constitutions were approved in 2003. It is now known as the Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel or just Secular Carmel in short. The Delegate General, Rev. Fr. Aloysius Deeney is the one who was principally responsible to give it new life and promote it worldwide. He even visited our Province.
It was the dream of our Ex-Provincial Rev.Fr. George Santhumayor to start OCDS.
Margao was found to be an ideal place, to begin a community of the Secular Carmel and the first steps in this regard were taken by Fr. Dieogo Proenca, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery in the year 2006. After him, Fr. Joseph D’Souza was appointed as the Spiritual Assistant who guided the infant steps of this community.
Our first President was Mr. Robin Santos from year 2006-2014. Initially there were 26 members. The next Spiritual Assistant was Fr. Alvito Fernandes who explained the writings of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. Many people joined in order to listen to him. Finally on 12th November 2012, the first batch which comprised of 8 members, made their Definitive Promise and 7 made their Temporary Promise.
In 2014 Fr. Ajith Rodrigues came in as our new Spiritual Assistant. A systematic syllabus was introduced for the first time with proper classes for the formation of the members. The baton was carried forward by Fr. Mark Furtado who provided valuable spiritual assistance for 2 years.
In 2018, council elections according to the new Provincial Statutes were held and Mrs. Elizabeth Santos was elected as President, Leslie Santimano was a Formator, Councillors were Agnelo Braganza, Martha Pereira and Savio Pereira. When Fr. Mark had to proceed to Rome for higher studies, the Superior Fr. Archibald Gonsalves stepped in. Whenever he was absent, Fr. Richard Menezes was ever ready to help us.
With a growth in members, a new community dedicated to St. Therese of The Child Jesus was formed in Aug 2019 with their base at Lar de Santa Terezinha, Pajifond.
From December 2020 Fr. Jeevan Tauro was our Spiritual Assistant. We had elections of the Council held on 30th August 2021.
President: Mrs. Elizabeth Santos
Formator: Mrs. Carol Mascarenhas
Councillors: Rose Mendes, Reduzindo (Rodo) Pereira, Savio Pereira
Canonically Established: We are also privileged to be canonically Established on 21st November 2021.
We lovingly remember four members who departed from this world in duration of four years: Br. Oliver D’Costa, (Formator), Br. Leslie Santimano, (Formator) Br. Joaquim Rebello and Sr. Rose Mendes (Councillor). We miss them a lot, but are comforted by the fact that they are interceding for us from heaven.
In April 2023 we had election after death of our Councillor Rose Mendes and Anne Dias was elected as a third councillor. From June 2023, Fr. Lancy Mendonca is currently our Spiritual Assistant till date and we are spiritually blooming under his guidance.
At present our community comprises of:
10 – Definitive Promise Members
6 – Temporary Promise
2 – Initial Formation II
4 – Initial Formation I
3 – Aspirancy
8 – “Come and See”
5 – Friends of Carmel
Details of Activities conducted in our community:
Regular Monthly Meetings: We have our regular monthly meetings every second Sunday of the month from 3.30pm to 7.00pm at the Monastery.
SPIRITUAL LIFE (Spiritual Retreats / Spiritual Talks / Training Programmes):
- Recollections twice a year
- Retreat once a year
- Triduum for major feasts
- Rosary during months of May and October
- Adorations, Vespers Liturgy
- Praying Divine Mercy Rosary in preparation of Divine Mercy Feast
- Praying the St. Joseph Rosary in the month of March.
- Praying the Sacred Heart Rosary in the month of June
- Promoting and creating awareness of Bl.Denis and Redemptus by distributing prayer cards offering mass on 10th July 2022 , social media promotion (you tube videos)
- Prayer service through you tube videos
- Praying for the dead.
- Regular Monthly Meetings:
- We have our regular monthly meetings every second Sunday of the month from 3.30pm to 7.00pm at the Monastery.
- Spiritual Retreats / Spiritual Talks / Training Programmes:
- We have our yearly annual retreat and
- We have 2 recollections per year (twice a year)
Feast Days & Liturgical Celebrations:
- Liturgy Participation novenas prior to feast days during Our Lady of Carmel Feast.
- Liturgy participation, novenas prior to St. Joseph Feast, St. Therese of Child Jesus, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, Divine Mercy Feast, Divine Mercy Chaplet recitation before feast and during election time of country, 40 hours adoration during lent, Stations of the Cross, First Friday Adoration, Vespers every second Saturday of the month, recitation of daily rosary during May and October , Chaplet of Sacred Heart Novena , Chaplet of St. Joseph During novena days, Rosary & Litany to our blessed Virgin Mary in preparation of her birthday.
Formation & Study:
- Formation classes given according to the syllabus.
- Formation classes given to Aspirancy, Formation, Temporary and Definitive Promises.
- Teaching of breviary to new members.
Apostolate, Works of Charity & Service, Involvement in Parish / Diocese:
• Out-reach programmes: visit to old-age homes, orphanages, Cancer patients, prisoners.
• Visiting the sick and the elders in the neighourhood.
• Assisting the new units at Mapusa and Xellim.
• Helping the missions of our Carmelite Fathers in Africa and other parts of the province – to support the poor and the needy.
• Financial Aid to Seminarians.
• Competitions for Catechism Children.
• Giving Financial Aid to dialysis patients and cancer patient.
• Feeding the hungry on the street.
• Giving material aid to flood prone areas.
• Giving Dry ration for poor families.
• Christmas celebration and recollection
• Visit to Avila Jyothi
• Visited Cloistered Nuns
• Volunteers during major feasts.
• Evangelisation
Vocation Promotion:
Promoting OCDS and brining in new members
Conferences / Regional / National Gatherings, Workshops Competitions (Participated & Organised):
Organised regional program in Goa
Drawing contests based on St. Therese of Child Jesus.
Quiz on St. Therese of Child Jesus
Pilgrimages:
Visited Carmelite Monastery in Mapusa, Goa
Visited Monastery in Old Goa for feast of Bl. Denis and Bl. Redemptus
Support for Carmelite Friars and Nuns:
Sponsored a brother seminarian
Financial aid provided to Carmelite Cloistered Nuns – Chicalim, Goa.
Community Building & Fellowship:
Annual Picnic
Feasts Celebrations
Christmas Celebration
Birthday of Members
Visit to Cloistered Carmel
Mrs. Elizabeth Santos (OCDS): (President)
Details of Members :
1. Definitive Promises :
Elizabeth Santos
Robin Santos
Reduzindo (Rodo) Pereira
Rosy Pereira
Carol Mascarenhas
Judith Cardozo
Serafina Lobo
Agnes Da Silva
Savio Pereira
Sebastian (Seby) Mendes
2. Temporary Promises:
Mathil Jane
Anne Dias
Elsa Fernandes
Cheryl Fernandes
Sophia Viegas
Loretta Da Costa
Formation I & II :
Ana Da Costa
Inez Fernandes
Gleeson Fernandes
Diela Dias
Ashreena Mendes
Gracy Corte
3. Aspirants:
Maria Luis
Meena D’Souza
Otilia Henriques
4. Come & See:
Elweena Pereira
Leoniz Gomes
Dwayne Fernandes
Gabriel Fernandes
Antonio Fernandes
Ana Fernandes
Peola Fernandes
George Fernandes
5. Friends of Carmel:
Terrence D’Souza
Daphne D’Souza
Engracia Coutinho
Alice Monte D’Silva
Levin Viegas
