The singular objective of Lay Carmelite Communities—from Toco in the Northeast to Diego Martin in the Northwest to Point Fortin in the deep South—is to follow Christ in order to be genuine and holy.

The brown scapular, worn inward by lay members and externally by those professed, is not public notice, but a sign that we are a contemplative people.

Our external aspect is indicative of our proclivity to prayer and silence. That is our distinct spirituality.

Traditionally, towards the year's close, the lay Carmelites assemble for their Reception and Profession ceremonies and the Annual General Meeting. It is a time for reflection and renewal of vows, of stocktaking and review.

Regional Director Sr Adriana Noel welcomed those present to this year's events. She advised the 250 members that the initials TOC, which professed persons are privileged to use after their names, had now been changed to T. O. Carm — more indicative of what we represent. Similarly, the appellation for the specific group would no longer be chapter but community , more representative of our apostolate to love each other, to visit the sick and shut-in.

The newest group of lay Carmelites is Stella Maris of Diego Martin, led by Mona Rahael, T. O. Carm and supported by Fr Garth Eversley, O. Carm. This group includes very young people of both sexes who have accepted the call to Carmel . It was, therefore, with great joy that they were received into the order, conscious as we are of Lay Carmelite continuity.

Lay Carmelites comprise a large ageing group—some shut-in, some infirm, some who have to live in constant pain but are heroic witnesses of prayer, faith and courage. Some of the latter attended the entire day's events—fitting examples for our newest community,

Sr Adriana reiterated in the morning session that the call to Carmel is the call to follow Jesus in the specific Carmelite way. Tangibly, the journey is helped along by the statuary and iconography peculiar to the Roman Catholic Church.

These are reminders of our past, bringing history into reality. It is a fact that we need to reflect on this past as a base to strengthen our present circumstances.

Mona Rahael (left) and Fr Garth Eversley with members of Stella Maris Lay Carmelite Community.

Sr Adriana said we ought to remember constantly that a good way to Jesus is through His Holy Mother who helps us to deal with life's cares and worries.

She said the Eucharist is a powerful sign of God's love and perpetual reminder of His presence among us, and we as lay Carmelites have multiple opportunities for the celebration of mutual love and caring.

“How are we to acknowledge and demonstrate Jesus' presence among us?” Sr Adriana questioned rhetorically. She urged us to give space to silence in our lives and a thorough understanding of our spirituality.

After Sr Adriana' address, the Reception ceremony took place. The celebration of holy Mass then followed, during which the Profession ceremony was conducted.

Both ceremonies are always very moving experiences. The formula for profession is ever awesome, and the Litany of the Saints, a reminder of our numinous link to the Church triumphant.

Celebrant and homilist Fr Eversley referred to the saints of Carmel , in particular, seeing them as our guide in our approach to Carmelite spirituality.

Fr Garth's homily flowed from the Gospel of the day, which fittingly introduced what constitutes Carmelite spirituality. To be Carmelite is to be humble, to avoid self-righteousness, to let the words of our mouths be witness for what we do.

We were enjoined to dedicate and model ourselves after our Mother Mary, following the way of the ancient hermits who lived in perpetual service to Christ and His Virgin Mother.

The lay Carmelite character, therefore, arises from service to God in prayer, and honour to Our Lady. Its formation requires contemplation, solitude, silence and recollection. It also depends on the cultivation of deep interior detachment, with the steadfast belief that God alone suffices; that spiritual poverty is necessary.

It enjoins us to enter the great silence, which allows God to transform us as has been witnessed by all our holy men and women. In order to invite God into our souls, the aphoristic less is more should be our goal.

Ultimately, Carmelite spirituality is contemplative because it is apostolic. We, in tune with God, listen acutely and with discernment for action. We say with compliance,“Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”

The Carmelite journey is therefore to experience God in the metaphorical desert and the vast open spaces that invite solitude. Fr Eversley encouraged us as lay Carmelites to continue our sharing as a community, to give witness to who we are, to delve into the rich heritage of Carmelite saints and thinkers.

To conclude his homily he recommended that we meet twice yearly for this exercise, so that fortified, we can go forth.