Kriesel says the Discalced Carmelites are best described by Father Aloysius Deeney, a Carmelite priest and general delegate for the secular order: “A Secular Carmelite is a practicing member of the Catholic Church, who, under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and inspired by St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, makes the commitment to the order to seek the face of God in prayer for the sake of the church and the world.”
Kriesel’s “clothing” ceremony took place at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Peoria Heights with Msgr. William Watson concelebrating with Father David Whiteside. Deacon Gene Uptmore from Immaculate Conception Parish assisted. Also that day, Shirley Faux, who lives in the Peoria diocese, took her vows.
“I read the article in Catholic Times about the women from Quincy (and one from Mendon) who took their definitive promises (as Secular Discalced Carmelites) and that sparked an interest in me,” says Kriesel. “I contacted one of the women mentioned in the article, Stephanie Ohnemus, and we talked several times. But before I decided to enter I talked to my husband and children and then I decided to go ahead. And I still have that article.”
Becoming a Secular Discalced Carmelite and carrying out the charism — which is to live the beatitudes while promising to live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience — takes time and is a serious commitment, Kriesel says. Each day she prays the Liturgy of the Hours two times, prays a rosary and meditates for 30 minutes. “Sometimes I don’t have 30 minutes of free time at one time, so I might meditate for 10 minutes three times a day,” she says. “It just depends on the day.”
The constitution of the Secular Discalced Carmelites takes into account that they live in the world with families and jobs, says Kriesel, who remains in regular contact with the Carmelites in Quincy and attends monthly meetings in Peoria.
“Before my ‘clothing’ I spent one year as an aspirant. The clothing ceremony marks the official beginning of formation,” she says. “In two years I will make temporary promises, then after two more years I will make definitive promises.”
A wife, mother of four and grandmother of five, Kriesel is a sign language educational interpreter and also teaches sign language classes for the local community college. “My family has been very supportive,” she says. “My husband and our daughter who still lives at home drive with me to Peoria when I attend our monthly meetings. I’m happy with my decision and really appreciate the charism of the Carmelites. I would encourage other people to inquire about the order.”
Any lay person who is a Catholic and at least 18 years of age who wants more information on the Secular Discalced Carmelites may call June Kriesel at (217) 259-6410 or Stephanie Ohnemus at (217) 228-9616.