Prayer is at the very heart of our lives as Carmelites. Our Rule calls us to spend time alone reflecting on the Word of God and also to come together each day to celebrate the Eucharist and to join in praying the psalms in the Prayer of the Church.
In prayer we begin to learn God’s language which is silence. This is not the silence of non-communication, a refusal to speak to the other. This silence is about listening to God. It is a communication that goes beyond words, that words can no longer sustain, a being together in love.
As Christians we never really pray on our own. We always pray as members of the Body of Christ and our prayer is Christ’s prayer. This is experienced in a special way when we pray the psalms together.
James is 24 years old and originally from Granard, Co. Longford: I joined the Order in 2007 as a novice coming from a background in Musical performance and Youth ministry. Having completed by novitiate in Aylesford, Kent, I was professed on August 31st 2008 at Gort Muire where I am now a member of the community. I am studying philosophy at NUI Maynooth. Since joining the Order I have been the opportunity to continue my love of all things musical. While in Aylesford I produced an album and DVD of music and Song for the British Province of Carmelites; ‘Timeless Echoes’ tries to open the sights and sounds of the Carmelite way of life to a wider audience.