After a very warm welcome from Lourdes Crabtree, Executive Director of the Carmelite Institute of North America, and the members of Santa Teresita Lay Carmelite Community, a light homemade breakfast was offered. There was plenty of time for catching up with fellow Lay Carmelites and making new friends.  Warm fellowship, chatter, and laughter filled Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Hall.  It was a delightful beginning for our day of prayer and learning.

Fr. Tracy began his teachings on Contemplative Prayer, focusing on God’s schedule not our schedule, a concept we’re all familiar with but often overlook. He drew a mental picture of that Hidden Treasure we are secretly searching for, that treasure which is so valuable yet so elusive that when we find it we do whatever it takes to keep it. 

Fr. Tracy explained that to find the treasure and experience the still small voice we seek, it is essential to empty ourselves of our obsessions.  He emphasized the importance of knowing deep in our hearts, minds, and souls that God loves us unconditionally. Once we accept God’s unwavering love, everything becomes clear.  Fr. Tracy describes contemplative prayer as living in the presence of God, another concept we’re familiar with but often overlook.  He ended this first session by reminding us that before we can be open to God, we must first empty our awareness of self.

After another homemade meal of sandwiches, fruits, and salads we celebrated Fr. Tracy’s 90^th birthday.  The cakes and desserts were plentiful and delicious.  Of course there was more time for fellowship and laughter and we took advantage of every minute of it!

Fr. began his second talk with Questions and answers.  He stressed again, the importance of God’s schedule not ours and of the silence that is necessary to achieve the awareness of God.

To illustrate the concept of being open to God and understanding the importance of self-emptying, he used an analogy of monkeys running wild in our thoughts, representing our main obstacle to self emptying. He recommended that to overcome this obstacle, we should repeatedly recite a mantra until our thoughts are completely quiet, allowing us to be open to the still small voice.

Fr.’s suggestion to attain this silence is to: sit down, sit still, close your eyes, sit relaxed but alert, repeat the mantra MARANATHA softly and gently, listen to the word not the monkeys!  The noise will eventually quiet down.  The goal is to achieve silence within with no distractions.  This will open your heart, mind and soul to the full awareness of God.  If thoughts and distractions occur just repeat the mantra until it quiets down again.

Fr. Tracy suggests we meditate each morning and evening for 20 to 30 minutes a day.  The goal of this meditation is to lead us to the state of contemplation.  The measure of success is not how we feel but how we live the gospel values, to move from feelings to faith and from self to God. 

Fr. Tracy, at 90 years young is a very vibrant speaker and teacher. He is excited about what he teaches and how he presents it.   He is truly one of our special Carmelite “Treasures”!

Our day concluded with Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Joliet, Illinois.

And behold, there came a voice to him …
Kings 19:13    

Fr. Tracy offers himself to respond by e-mail, to questions about your beginning experience in Christian meditation according to his time and energy. He will try to respond individually but may have to respond to the more common questions if the volume of inquiries is too big.

E-mail:   deeperpersonalprayer@gmail.com

Likewise, there will be relevant material in his blog:  https://prayingalonetogether.blogspot.com