Do the Carmelites of Wyoming have a mission?

Every religious community must have a mission by which it serves the church. A mission is a specific call to evangelize and help the church in a specific way. It often has to do with setting out on a journey to far off countries in order to help spread the Catholic faith. A mission has to do with putting others above ourselves for the sake of their salvation and the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, in a mission one goes out of one’s life and society to bring the gospel message to those who have not heard it. That is well and good. But what is the mission of the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming?

Is there any mission for the Carmelite Monks in Wyoming in leaving people and enjoying ourselves in a monastery? We leave people behind to enter the cloister. Isn’t that selfish and for our own spiritual growth? I have heard people ask these questions.

The mission of the Carmelite Monks: Selfish or selfless?

If I desire more time in prayer and more solitude, is it selfish? Should I be serving people instead? I have often heard people who are worn out with their lives in the world and the crosses it offers. They may say, “Oh, I wish I could run to the cloisters and immerse myself in prayer right now.” It is easy to imagine the prayer of the cloister as a giant hug from God. Prayer could be a self-consoling act.

But this is not the mission of the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming or any other contemplative community. Prayer of this kind would be more self-focused.

In the past Carmel has been described as the place you go to in order to experience God in some way. Maybe Carmel is viewed as Mt. Tabor where Christ was transfigured. Maybe Carmel is imagined to be a place of great communion with God in an exulting and transfigured way. But even this view is imperfect. Remember that Christ was transfigured and then entered into His passion. He was strengthened and then emptied Himself.

The true mission of the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming

Charity drives a true contemplative. A contemplative longs to accompany Christ throughout His passion and death. He does not want something for Himself. By seeking to love Christ purely in prayer, the contemplative opens up new channels of grace for souls in the world.

St. Teresa of Avila said that a soul with pure love would do anything he could to help another soul advance in the service of God even slightly. Pure love of a Carmelite contemplative cares nothing about receiving comfort, but seeks to love through sacrifice and union with Christ. Love for God and souls beckons him. This is not a self-focused spirituality. It is a spirituality of self-emptying within prayer for the rest of the church.

Contemplatives are love in the heart of the church. Carmelite contemplatives love with a sacrificial love. Love urges them to union with God for souls who need grace and prayers. This is a very selfless mission, but one in the purely spiritual realm. Thus, Carmelites enter the cloister and leave behind their society. It is a true mission within the Church.

Contact the Vocations Director here: Carmelite Vocations Director