CarmeLITE Youth Spirituality in Joliet, Illinois
submitted by Nohemi Patino
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish’s JUCAR young adult group, CarmeLites, is hosting a six-week series to introduce young adults to the foundations of Carmelite spirituality. The series offers participants an opportunity to explore what it means to live the Carmelite charism, not simply as something belonging to friars and religious, but as a spirituality that can become part of everyday life.
For the six-week series, JUCAR has traded the traditional classroom setting for the small grassy area outside in the parish parking lot. Young adults ages 18–35 gather in a relaxed and welcoming setting around a warm bonfire, complete with s’mores, conversation, and plenty of room for wandering minds and thoughtful questions as the group digs more deeply into what Carmel is all about.
Week 1 was an introduction to the Carmelite values of Prayer, Community and Service. Our guest speaker for the week was Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Vicar, Fr. Antolino, O.Carm., who shared a brief history of the origins of Carmel, beginning with the prophet Elijah, and a brief summary of how his life and ministry in the Carmel has helped form him.
Week 2 was a reflection presented by Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish youth minister, Elizabeth Becerra, and Jucar Coordinator, Nohemi Patino. It was a reflection on Psalm 63 using the Lectio Divina, a form of prayer used by the Carmelites, as a guide. It focused on how we are gifted by God a heart longing to be connected with the creator, Himself. The group explored how to contemplate the desire for God by offering yourself to Him in mind, body, and soul.
JUCAR normally gathers at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the first and third Fridays of each month at 6:30 p.m. The parish describes the group’s vision as inspiring young adults to grow spiritually through the Carmelite values of prayer, service, and community.
For more information on the events and how to attend, please contact Elizabeth Becerra at elizabethb@olmcjoliet.org or 815.727.7187 x205
For more information about Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Joliet, IL, please visit our online directory at https://carmelites.net/ministries/illinois/our-lady-of-mount-carmel-parish-joliet-il/
Below is a short video from Nohemi talking about what JUCAR has been to her:
Click HERE to hear from other members of JUCAR in Joliet.
JUCAR, short for Juventud Carmelita, is Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Carmelite young adult community. The group seeks to build a prayerful family within the wider Christian community and to help young adults deepen their spirituality through the three Carmelite values of prayer, service, and community. CarmeLites takes those values and gives participants an opportunity to explore them more deeply through prayer, reflection, conversation, and fellowship.
The Carmelites of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, in allegiance to Jesus Christ, live in a prophetic and contemplative stance of prayer, common life, and service. Inspired by Elijah and Mary and informed by the Carmelite Rule, we give witness to an eight-hundred-year-old tradition of spiritual transformation in the United States, Canada, Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador, and Honduras.
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https://carmelitemedia.tiny.us/supportpcm
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