Carmelite spirituality in Oklahoma

Meet people, visit places and … maybe even become a Carmelite secular


July is the month of the Carmelites, with the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, and several feast days of  Carmelite saints, e.g., Saint Elijah - the prophet and patron of Carmel, Saint Titus Brandsma and Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes.

There are two Carmelite religious orders in the archdiocese, one Discalced Carmelite secular order and five churches in Oklahoma named after Carmelite saints or founded on the Carmelite tradition. 

The Carmelite Sisters of Saint Thérèse of the Infant Jesus in Oklahoma City follow both the apostolic and contemplative vocation. Founded in 1917, the sisters have been serving the Church at large with prayers and local ministries like teaching, caring for the sick and homeless, i.e., through Sister BJ’s Pantry founded in 2006 by the superior – Sister Barbara Joseph Foley, C.S.T.

“The spirit of our Carmelite congregation is based on childlike simplicity and confidence in God following the example of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. It goes back to the Gospel of Matthew 18:3 and Jesus’ words, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,’” said Sister Barbara Joseph. 

She stressed the importance of relying on God in all actions and activities of daily life, “When you are faithful to God, he will be faithful to you in your ministry.”

Sister Immaculata, who has been with the congregation for 71 years, explained the community’s charism in relation to the Child Jesus, “We are like children before the Child Jesus. It is amazing that God became a child to teach us how to be children and how to rely on him like children ... recognizing that without him we can do nothing.”

Another Carmelite order, the Discalced Carmelite Monastery of Piedmont, was founded in 1939. 

“Our congregation is strictly contemplative and grounded on the teachings of Saint Teresa of Avila to pray for priests, the world and the needs of the Church. As advised by Saint John of the Cross we are to become detached from worldly things that could be distracting our unity of prayer with Jesus,” said Sister Donna, superior of the monastery. 

Sister Ruth Miriam added, “Prayer is our central devotion, it is a heart-to-heart conversation with the one [Jesus] by whom we know ourselves to be loved.” 

Five churches, including a shrine, embody the Carmelite spirituality. 

The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague in Oklahoma was established in 1949, while the Child Jesus was an inseparable devotion of several Carmelite saints, e.g., Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Saint Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). 

“The Infant Jesus has a very special place in the Eucharistic Revival,” said Father Christopher Tran, the new pastor of the Shrine and Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church. 

“The little Infant is holding the entire globe with all its problems in his left hand, so lightly as if it was only a feather. In the same little way, the incomprehensible God is present in the tiny host, waiting humbly for us to come to him, receive him at the Holy Eucharist and offer to him all our problems,” said Father Tran. Bringing people back to the Eucharist and adoration has been the main mission of my priestly vocation, also here at the shrine. We need to ask the little Infant Jesus, Lord, teach us to do little things for you with great love, like Saint Thérèse.”

Three parishes in Oklahoma are dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: Little Flower Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, Saint Thérèse Catholic Church in Collinsville and the Church of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus of Maronite Rite in Tulsa. One parish is named after the great reformer of the Discalced Carmelite order: Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Harrah. 

One way of living the Carmelite vocation in the world is to join the Discalced Carmelite secular order that welcomes laypersons over the age of 18, married or unmarried, or ordained diocesan priests or deacons. To learn more and become one of the more than 6,000 Carmelite seculars in the US and 45,000 Carmelite seculars worldwide, visit thereseocds.org.

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: Carmelite Sisters of Saint Thérèse of the Infant Jesus in Oklahoma City with Our Lady of Carmel statue. Photo provided.