23 People Begin Formation In Carmelite Spirituality

Published: August 5, 2004

ATLANTA—A group of 23 people in the archdiocese has begun a two-year formation process to be admitted into the Carmelite order as members of the Secular Order of Carmel.

Father John Michael Payne, OCD, the provincial delegate representing the Discalced Carmelite Order, came to the archdiocese in March to receive the three promises the individuals made upon entering into a way of life emphasizing deeper spirituality, deeper prayer and deeper union with God. Father Payne gave each candidate a large brown scapular representing the mantle of Mary, the Mother of God and their spiritual mother, and the contemplative dimension.

According to St. Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite path of formation in spirituality will lead to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God and a life of joyful contemplation.

The group includes married people, single people and a diocesan priest, Msgr. Terry Young. According to Carmelite tradition, the three promises of poverty, chastity and obedience reflect the deeper response Christ called for in his preaching on the mountainside summarized in the Beatitudes. The promise of poverty calls for a detachment consistent with family life, which assists one in overcoming the temptation to make material possessions the focus of one’s entire energy and attention. The promise of chastity is according to one’s state in life and does not prevent married people from having children. Obedience extends to one’s activities within the order and the duration of time spent at monthly meetings.

In the greater Atlanta area there are two groups that meet monthly, one at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, on the first Saturday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the other at St. Lawrence Church, Lawrenceville, on the first Tuesday evening of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The meetings begin with morning or evening prayer, then the work of formation begins with speakers and leaders presenting the works of St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. John of the Cross, followed by a short social time.

The meetings are open to inquirers; typically those who come are seeking to grow in the interior life not only through intellectual development but also through the contemplative dimension, which is taught in the monthly community meetings on formation. The support of friends in building an intimate relationship with God is what St. Teresa recommends.

These individuals will continue their classes in meditative and contemplative prayer for another two years. Those interested in attending an introductory meeting or seeking more information about the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites may contact Mary Shusta at (404) 264-0259 or mshusta@yahoo.com.