St John of the Cross monthly study group

St John of the Cross - by Francisco de Zubaran. Wiki image

A new monthly reflection series on St John of the Cross, led by Dr Susan Muto and the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality in the UK begins on 31 January.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage with the spirituality of the 16th century mystic and writer under the direction of a world-renowned scholar," said Fr Alexander Ezechukwu, OCD, prior of the Oxford Carmelite Friars.

"Participants will not only study St John's writings, but meet online on video once a month and interact with Dr Muto," Fr Alexander said.

The course is "The Sayings of Light and Love," which is also the title of Dr Muto's forthcoming book on the spirituality of St John of the Cross.

"This is a perfect way to deepen one's prayer life, draw closer to God and neighbour, and sit at the feet of a great leader in Christian spirituality, Dr Muto," Fr Alexander said.

Dr Muto is a leader in spirituality literature as well as executive director of the Epiphany Association, and dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is the author or co-author of more than 60 books on Catholic spirituality.

The Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS) is the world's foremost authority on applied Carmelite spirituality. It is a place of research and training that promotes the renewal and growth of the spiritual life, drawing on the rich resources of the venerable Carmelite tradition.

The Centre strives to achieve this through retreats and structured study and training programmes on spirituality from the Carmelite perspective. Its flagship programme, the Spiritual Direction Formation Programme, is unique and has participants from all over the world.

The Centre's goal, whether through its in-person or online services, is to bring people to experience a life-transforming friendship with God through a lived experience of Carmelite spirituality that is authentic to its biblical roots. The CACS is located at the Carmelite Priory in Oxford, UK.

The new course: 'The Sayings of Light and Love,' consists of an online video meeting on the last Tuesday of each of 12 months. It will begin on January 31 and will be led by Dr Muto and a Carmelite friar. Participants will be sent 15 sayings of St John of the Cross each month along with discussion questions. Participants are encouraged to meditate on the sayings and even record their reflections about them in a journal in preparation for each meeting.

The Centre's online programs have been very well received. A recent Advent online retreat attracted nearly 400 members. Its publishing house, which offers print, audio and video productions, is Teresian Press Publications.

The core of Carmelite spirituality is a journey of the heart. One of the Oxford house friars has written that Carmelite spirituality is 'like the exodus experience of God's people and their meeting with "the Lord" in the wilderness'.

St John of the Cross, along with St Teresa of Avila, founded the Discalced Carmelite Order in the 1500s. They cooperated in forming a spirituality that appeals to friars, other consecrated persons as well as laity.

The online reading series is for anyone wishing to deepen their spiritual life, and grow to love God and neighbour more.

Sign up for 'The Sayings of Light and Love' course at: www.carmelite.uk.net/online-talks-retreats/sayings-of-light-and-love-series/

The CACS is part of the Anglo-Irish province the Discalced Carmelites of the UK. Together with other provinces around the world, they belong to the worldwide Order of Discalced Carmelites, governed by the general curia.