A Week of Prayer, Learning & Fraternity

Into the Land of Carmel: A Week of Prayer, Learning, and Fraternity

By: Doug Buschman, T.O.Carm.

Into the Land of Carmel is an annual week-long retreat held at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien and centered around the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Open to anyone interested in learning more about the Carmelite way, the retreat combines presentations by Carmelite scholars and spiritual leaders with daily opportunities for prayer, personal reflection, worship, fellowship, and evening gatherings.

This past week, approximately 60 people gathered at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois, for the annual Into the Land of Carmel retreat. Among them were about 15 Lay Carmelites attending the retreat for the first time, as well as several participants who came to learn more about Carmel and explore the Carmelite way of life.

Fr. Bob Colaresi, O.Carm., welcomed the retreatants on Sunday evening with his presentation, Back to Basics, setting the tone for a week of prayer, reflection, shared learning, and fraternity.

The week’s presentations explored many dimensions of Carmelite spirituality. On Monday morning, Fr. Leopold Glueckert, O.Carm., introduced Brother Lawrence and his “methodless method” of prayer—a particularly timely topic following Pope Leo XIV’s recent positive comments about Brother Lawrence. Fr. Mike Joyce, O.Carm., reflected on Elijah in his presentation, Silence: Carmel’s Gift, inviting participants to consider God’s question to the prophet: “Why are you here?”

Mother Madonna of the Assumption and Sr. Veronica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary offered presentations on Trinitarian Mysticism in Carmel and Patterns of Prayer: Heart to Heart with Mary, Our Sister. Fr. Bob’s presentation, Indwelling Presence—Mysticism, reminded participants that God is not only present throughout creation but also dwells within each of us.

In Go Back! Traveling the Desert Road Toward Purpose, Kelley Henderson, TO Carm., used three Gospel accounts to explore the importance of perspective as we travel through the desert experiences of our lives. Fr. Leopold later returned to share the story of the first Carmelite friars in the United States.

The retreat also included many opportunities for community and celebration. Despite daytime temperatures reaching 95 degrees, the traditional Wednesday evening bonfire went ahead, complete with s’mores and dancing. A healing service was held on the evening of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, adding special meaning to the celebration of Carmel’s patronal feast.

Fr. Tracy O’Sullivan, O.Carm., presented The Seven Mansions, making St. Teresa of Avila’s description of the interior journey accessible and relevant to the prayer lives of those attending. His second presentation offered an overview of his new book, Knowing Yourself.

For longtime Carmelites and first-time participants alike, the week offered an opportunity to enter more deeply into Carmel’s traditions of prayer, community, and service—and to return home renewed for the continuing journey.

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The following is a reflection about the event by one of the attendees.

Giving honor to God the Father-and the totality of His creation.

We gather activating holy imaginations to share our hermeneutics of the divine-in the practical and productive Little Way.

Father Bob hummed the direction: Testify! Testify of how the Mother Mary birth truth into your life. Testify how the Prophet Elijah set ablaze your doubts. Speak so the saints among you may hear that you see-that you are looking at the grace that dwells within and all

’round about you.

We are the prayer come to life. The Lord said: Be. We journey into the land of Carmel-God’s paracosm of the ever-becoming and the ever-completing. In the place where Mary breathes YahWeh; Elijah breathes YahWeh. Where St. Therese of Lisieux breathes Yahweh.

While:

• MotherMadonna-in the spirit of the maternal-waters the seeds of God’s veiled children
• Sister Anne Marie identifies the prototypes
• Sister Jacinta allows the embrace
• Sister Veronica sings in registers of the adoring She breathes He breathes YahWeh.

While:

• Father Tracy guides us through the celestial Interior Castle
• Father Leopold remembers the Earthly castles that were built
• Kelley illustrates how the profane can en-flesh the divine She breathes He breathes YahWeh.

While:

• Teresa the doctor of dentistry scales the teeth
• Tod the Doctor of Jurisprudence tries the case
• Joseph the Doctor of Medicine Cares for the sick She breathes He breathes YahWeh.

While:

• Michael prepares and makes ready
• Halina hugs
• Lisa compliments
• Mia shares
• Per and Maribel legitimize the illegitimate
• Hoffman evangelizes
• Sally waits at the door
• Stuart examines
• and Lindell contemplates detachment She breathes He breathes YahWeh.

Though we were born into this realm of original sin-still by His grace-The Holy Spirit tends to the garden of the true self- as we learn to embody the soul of the just-and comprehend that we are God’s delight.

Sol Ennis-Klyczek | Lead Family Life Educator