We redesigned our chapel and public spaces in 1990 so that we could share our life of prayer and encourage greater participation on the part of the people. We plan creative Eucharistic liturgies, with special attention to the liturgical seasons. We educate those who come to worship with us by incorporating the teachings of our Carmelite Saints during the celebration of Carmelite feasts. Our hope is that people will be inspired by their lives.
We bring the concerns of the world to our liturgies, thereby expanding the circle of sincere, dedicated prayer lifted to God on behalf of those suffering in war-torn regions of our world, those recovering from natural disasters, those who live amid violence, especially in our own City of Baltimore, and for the healing of the Earth.
Our liturgies may include an introductory Call to Worship, carefully chosen music, and a meditation after communion, such as choral offerings, liturgical dance, poetry, excerpts from Carmelite writings, or an appropriate video. We intentionally integrate periods of silence into our liturgies. Above all, these special liturgies are ways for those who worship with us to learn about and experience contemplative prayer.
Our liturgical preparations require significant time and labor – drafting reflections, creating a suitable environment for prayer, preparing programs and meditations, brainstorming new, creative expressions of our spirituality that will be understood and meaningful for people today. Often this work requires us to develop new skills.
We also support ourselves by praying with and for people who come, call, or write. We companion those seeking spiritual direction. We host occasional lectures and publish a quarterly newsletter to help pass on our charism to the wider community.
All we do to teach prayer, to accompany people on their journey, to offer prayerful support to those in need, and to help draw people closer to Christ in the Eucharist is offered in service to God and the world. We see as a sign of the value of our work that people respond with generous donations sufficient to keep us from having to undertake other specifically remunerative work.
