The 2024 Annual Lay Carmelite Retreat was held at Enders Island in Mystic, Conn., on the weekend of June 28-30. Thirty-eight retreatants from communities across the East Coast enjoyed four conferences on the writings of Ruth Burrows, a Carmelite nun who recently died at age 100.
A Carmelite priest, Rev. Brother Marlon Beharry, O. Carm., led the retreatants in prayer and learning. He is a priest from the Province of St. Elias in Middletown, New York. Father Marlon discussed Ruth Barrows’ interpretation of Spiritual Poverty. “One may ask; How can I find treasure in poverty? The mystery of this becomes clear. We uncover the endless treasure of the love of God and when we surrender our desires and completely open our hearts to His will. Once we are fully united in His will, offering ourselves to Him, we become rich in grace and mercy, immersed in His love.”
This was shared by Art Youman from the Immaculate Heart Community in West Hartford, Connecticut. He stated, “May we continue to desire God’s love and mercy by embracing a life that is focused on the goodness of God.” Susan Okamoto from the Immaculate Heart Community in West Hartford also shared that, “Ruth Burrows was born into the world with a tortured sensitivity. But at the age of 17, she realized that this sensitivity could help her on her journey to God. This vulnerability shows us how obstacles can help us.”
Lay Carmelites customarily attend an annual retreat. This year, members were able to experience God at Ender’s Island. This location, with its beautiful view of the water coupled with the quiet, serene beauty of the island, allowed the retreatants to reflect and recollect on the experience of silence. Praying while in such a cherished and holy place seemed to carry the energy of the thoughts and prayers of the Carmelite communities to an ever-loving God. The Chapel served as the perfect place for participants to pray as they walked the journey of the retreat together. The staff was warm and welcoming; and as usual the food was outstanding. The Enders Island staff outdid themselves again; and everyone was pleasantly pleased with our accommodation.
Jennifer Gentile from the Mount Tabor community in Tarrytown, New York, remarked: “The retreat was truly a weekend of restoration and renewal. It was a time to grow in intimacy with God and connect with other Lay Carmelites. Over the three days, there was a balance of worship and prayer.”
Prayer is one of the charisms of the Carmelite Way. The Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Adoration were prayed throughout the weekend. Cindy McVeigh commented that, “she became a Lay Carmelite because she felt a deeper call in her prayer life. She feels blessed to be surrounded by other like-minded and spiritual people who want and live a deeper life in the spirit of Elisha and Our Blessed Mother.” Ender’s Island is a place to end stress and “refill” into a place of the heart and not of the head. It is a place of being and not thinking. It is a moment in time to leave behind technology and the rigors of employment. It is instead a moment to be sated by prayers and love.
The Lay Carmelites are part of the Third Order branch of the Carmelite Order. Lay Carmelites promise to live the Gospel in the contemplative spirit of Carmel including the practice of prayer in all its forms: the Divine Office and Lectio Divina, as well as the other elements of the order’s charism — fraternal community and service. There are six lay Carmelite communities in Connecticut: Groton, Middletown, West Hartford, Waterbury, Shelton and Danbury. New members are always welcome. We are looking forward to our 2025 Lay Carmelite Retreat, which will once again be held on Enders Island on June 20-22.
For further information, please contact Suzanne Henderson, Regional Coordinator, at tocregion2@carmelites.com.
By Suzanne Henderson