History

The Carmelite Missionaries Secular (CMS) Philippines began as a prayer group organized by the Carmelite Missionaries during the late '80s from among the residents of the Sacred Heart Village, Quezon City, where the CM Novitiate was located. The group was formally organized as CMS Philippines in 1995 when the CM General Council requested for canonical recognition of the CMS to the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On March 20, 1996, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed the recognition of the CMS as a Private International Association of the lay faithful.

CMS Philippines has expanded from just one group or "Chapter" in Quezon City to 14 Chapters in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

CMS aims to promote and strengthen the life and mission of the lay faithful in the Church and in the world.

The Association commits to:

-Bear witness to the greatness of the Christian vocation in the mystery of ecclesial communion.

-Be the sign of small churches and active members of the Church.

-Cultivate prayer as a friendly relationship with God and as an experience of ecclesial universality in the light of the Word and of history.

-Promote the values of listening, reflection and contemplation as a personal way to interiority.

-Offer a simple, happy style of life and work.

-Remain in an attitude of service to their brethren by attending to the demands of the Church and the society.

-Collaborate in the transformation of society so that it will be more just and solidary, according to the Gospel.

-Contemplate Mary as model, mother and companion in the constant effort to live in communion with God and neighbors.