OCD stands for Ordinis Carmelitarum Discalceatorum, which in Indonesian is known as the Discalced Carmelite Order. The OCD Carmel was founded in Spain in the 16th century, led by the renowned nun, Saint Teresa of Avila.

OCD Indonesia

The Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD) arrived in Indonesia in 1638, in Tanah Rencong – the Veranda of Mecca – Aceh Darussalam. That year, two OCD missionaries were sent from the Province of Navarre, Spain, to Goa, India, and Aceh. They were Father Dionysius, OCD, and Brother Redemptus, OCD. Their journey was filled with risks as they traveled aboard a Portuguese trade expedition ship.

Onboard the ship, the two OCD missionaries served as spiritual companions for the passengers and crew. They traveled with a Portuguese trading vessel, which, in a broader context, carried the European expansionist spirit under the slogan “gold, glory, and gospel.” As a result, they were not only fulfilling a religious mission but also bore a significant responsibility as representatives of European society at the time.

At first, their presence in Aceh was welcomed by the Sultan of Aceh, who was then under the rule of Sultan Iskandar Thani. However, suspicion soon arose. They were accused of spreading Christianity and attempting to Christianize the Aceh region. The Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam, which strongly upheld Islamic teachings, rejected the presence of the two missionaries. The threats escalated, not only against them but also against the entire Portuguese trading expedition.

Despite facing pressure and threats to renounce their faith, Father Dionysius and Brother Redemptus remained steadfast in their belief in Christ. They even continued to encourage and strengthen the entire fleet crew. Due to their courage and unwavering faith, the two missionaries from the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD) were ultimately martyred.

The Seeds of Faith of the Early Missionaries

Father Dionysius a Nativity and Brother Redemptus a Cruce were beatified together on June 10, 1900, by Pope Leo XIII. Their sincerity in prayer, hard work, and sacrifice became an inspiration for the Carmelites in Indonesia in the years to come.

Before dedicating themselves as servants of God, both came from a military background. However, they chose the path of faith, becoming individuals who trusted in God and brothers to others. This choice was their response to the Divine call, inviting them to fulfill His will.

Though they are physically gone, the seeds they planted in Tanah Rencong did not die or disappear. Instead, the legacy of faith left by these two martyrs of the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD) remains deeply rooted in the land of Aceh. Those seeds continue to wait for the right time to grow and flourish once again.

If the tree of faith has grown, it will continue to grow and branch out, bearing abundant fruit. “Truly, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed; but if it dies, it produces many seeds. Whoever loves their life will lose it, but whoever does not love their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:24-25).

For God, the time span between the years 1638 and 1982 is not a barrier, for in His perspective, one day is like a thousand years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the seeds of martyrdom remained planted in Tanah Rencong for a long time. However, slowly but surely, the seeds of faith and vocation began to grow and flourish.

The Seed That Grows and Bears Fruit

In 1982, the mission pioneered by the two Carmelites, Father Dionysius, OCD, and Brother Redemptus, OCD, was revived by two missionaries from OCD India. The Manjummel Province of India sent Father John Britto, OCD, and Father Thomas Kallor, OCD, to continue their work. They began their first mission by managing St. Joseph Parish in Bajawa, East Nusa Tenggara.

The growth progressed rapidly. On September 14, 1989, the first monastery was officially established, marking the moment of accepting the first group of native OCD priest candidates. Year after year, the Discalced Carmelite Order in Indonesia has continued to experience significant growth.

The influence of Carmelite spirituality on the development of the Catholic community in Indonesia is evident in various fields, both pastoral and social. In the pastoral field, their contributions include managing parishes in different regions, establishing retreat houses, spiritual study centers, prayer services, spiritual guidance (pilgrimages), and mentoring members of the Secular Carmelite Order (OCDS).

Meanwhile, in the social field, they also contribute by providing scholarships for children from underprivileged families and empowering communities through various economic programs. Some initiatives that have been carried out include providing livestock and plant seeds to residents around the monastery, as well as skill training in tofu-tempe production, bamboo crafts, sewing, and brick production in Bajawa, Flores (NTT). Through these pastoral and social works, the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD) continues to instill the values of faith and service in Indonesian society.

Organizational structure

To ensure the smooth governance of the order, leaders and various functionaries are appointed to support the institution's operations in different aspects. The organizational structure of the institution for the 2023-2026 period is as follows:

• COMMISSARIAT:  RP.  FELIX JOHN ELAVUNKAL OCD
• FORMATION COUNCIL:  RP.  IRMINUS SABINUS LIKO OCD
• PASTORAL COUNCIL:  RP.  ALOYSIUS JALANG OCD
• ECONOMER:  RP.  KONSTANTINUS LADO OCD 
• ASSET ECONOMER:  FR.  ARKADEUS JABUR OCD
• SECRETARY:  RP.  MAXIMUS GENGGENG OCD
• VOCATION PROMOTER:  RP.  FRANSISKUS PALA OCD 
• DELEGATUS OCDS:  RP.  BONAVENTURA AGUNG PRIBADI OCD

Commissariat Office Address: Jl. Lanudal, Desa Penfui Timur, Kecamatan Kupang Tengah, Kabupaten Kupang, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia. Phone: +62 813-8080-6461Email: commissariatocdindonesia@gmail.com

Anggota Komisariat OCD Indonesia

• Priests: 61 orang
  • Indonesia (48) 
  • Jepang (4) 
  • Austria (2)
  • Roma (6)
  • Spanyol (1)
• Perpetual/ Solemn Vows (8)
• Frater TOP (5)
• Temporary Vows (52)
• Novist (10)
• Postulant (11)
• Postulant (11)

Works of the Order

Here are some of the works of the OCD Commissariat in Indonesia:

• Formation/Training
  • Biara/ Komunitas Aspiran St. Edith Stein Maronggela, Riung Barat
  • Biara/ Komunitas Postulan St. Maria dari Gunung Karmel Kiawa – Manado
  • Biara/Komunitas Novisiat St. Joseph Bogenga – Bajawa
  • Biara/Komunitas Filsafat San Juan Kupang
  • Biara/Komunitas Teologi St.  Theresia Lisieux Yogyakarta 
• Parish Pastoral Ministry
  • St. Joseph Parish, Bajawa 
  • St. Joseph Parish, Lendiwacu-Sumba 
  • Sacred Heart Parish, Sonder-Manado
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Banda Aceh
  • Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Binjai-Medan 
  • St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Bali
• Spirituality Center
  • San Juan Retreat House and Spirituality Center, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara 
  • St. Joseph Retreat House, Bajawa, East Nusa Tenggara
• Publications

To help disseminate the written works of OCD Indonesia members, they publish their works through Nyala Cinta Publishing. Some of the publications include: DUPA – a four-monthly reflection book, Carmelo Magazine, Catholic Calendar, Various spirituality books written by priests and brothers.