My Father's House Spiritual Retreat Center at 39 North Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 06469 US - The Lay Carmelites of the Province of St. Elias
| The Lay Carmelites of the Province of St. Elias |
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Who Are We? 'We Carmelites have always treasured our Marian heritage. We are justifiably proud of our title: The Brothers and Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. We are convinced that from the beginning of the Order, Mary has watched over our family with a special care and that Carmel has striven to respond to that care with its own devotion and love through the centuries.' John Malloy, Prior General, The Order of Carmelites, in the Marion Year, 1988. Prerequisites To become a Third Order Lay Carmelite, a candidate must be a Catholic in good standing who senses a call of God to live more fully his/her Baptismal commitment. Candidates must be at least 17 years old. Candidates may be married or single. Responsibilities Lay members of the Carmelite family deepen Christian values and intensify their spiritual lives according to the particular charism of the Carmelite Order. They are therefore each encouraged as they are able in their prayer lives to: participate daily at Eucharist. say Morning/Evening Prayer, and the Rosary daily. orient ourselves toward receiving the gift of contemplation. attend Lay Carmelite annual days of recollection/retreat. Through prayer we are led to serve in our Chapters and in our Parish communities. We become more mindful of the need to practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in our daily lives. Under ordinary circumstances, Lay Carmelites are expected to attend regularly scheduled meetings of the Chapter to which they belong. Carmel offers to the Laity the riches of its own spirituality and tradition, making them part of its one family. While every baptized Christian is a sharer in the same call to holiness, the same mission to follow Jesus in the light of the Gospel, Lay Carmelites are invited to accept this call to holiness as Catholics ... benefiting richly from Carmelite spirituality; sharing likewise in the spiritual benefits of the Order, and in all the good works of its members throughout the world. There are certain designated steps leading to Profession. Six months' preparation for Reception includes instruction about the Rule, the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our Saints and history, prayer, community, and ministry. Reception invests the Candidate with the Ceremonial Scapular, the outward sign of membership, worn at Community functions. Two years of Formation for Profession are designed to deepen and enrich prayer life, a sense of community, and ministry. With Profession, the Candidate becomes a true member of the worldwide family of Carmel. Lay Carmelite Order Meeting Schedule Come and bring a family member or friend! Meetings usually start with Holy Mass & Scriptural Rosary. Unless otherwise noted (see schedule) , meetings are held at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at My Father's House 39 North Moodus Rd. Moodus, CT 06469 Director:Lea DolinskyTelephone:(860) 395-1203 Email: Lea@myfathershouse.com