Infiltration Comes to the Lay Carmelites, by Bryon Herbel

For years I had been intrigued by references to Carmelite saints, especially Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. But I had never attempted any serious exploration of their writings until I retired from a 25-year career in correctional and forensic psychiatry. In 2020, I relocated from Durham, North Carolina, to be near my extended family in Bismarck, North Dakota. Grateful to live in a robustly unapologetic Catholic diocese and with ample time to pursue my own interests, I was surprised to find myself continually drawn to spending many hours in prayer each week, especially in Eucharistic adoration.

I was delighted one afternoon after adoration when a woman invited me to join a local group of Third Order lay Carmelites who were associated with the ancient Order of Carmelites (O. Carm.), with their Provincial Office of the Most Pure Heart of Mary located in Darien, Illinois. This little community had been meeting regularly in the Bismarck Diocese for over 20 years. ….

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>>