Third Order Carmelites comprised of lay people

Intermountain Catholic

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Caroline Lorenzana and Silvia Best attend Mass and pray the rosary daily as Third Order Discalced Carmelites.

BOUNTIFUL — Silvia Best and Caroline Lorenzana are members of the Third Order Discalced Carmelites. They are sisters and members of Saint Olaf Parish, Bountiful.

The first order consists of the Carmelite priests and the second order is the Carmelite nuns and brothers. "The Third Order of Discalced Carmelites is a group of secular people who are called to live the Carmelite spiritual life," said Carmelite Mother Maureen Goodwin of the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery in Holladay. "The secular order of the laity takes vows of chastity, poverty and obedience according to their state in life and they share in the spiritual life of our Carmelite Order. They also share in the spiritual benefits and are official members as lay people."

The secular order also prays the Divine Office daily. "Our Carmelite fathers have come to Utah organize the secular order and to give retreats," said Mother Maureen. "When we began our foundation in Salt Lake City in 1953 our foundress said to make every effort to start the third order because so many benefits come to the laity and to the Church through the secular order. It has really become quite strong with a Salt Lake chapter, a chapter in Ogden and the beginning of a chapter in Cedar City."

Best has been a member of the secular order since her family moved to Utah in 1970. "My husband introduced me to the sisters," said Best. "Sister Mary Joseph, the extern sister, was intrigued that I attended Mass every day and that we prayed the rosary every night with our children."

Lorenzana became a part of the secular order after her husband died in 1988. "I went through three years of formation," said Lorenzana. "After six meetings, I was admitted to formation and attended the Mistress of Formation classes to make my first promise. After two years I made a definitive promise and after three years I made my voluntary vows. We renew our vows every year at Easter."

Each member has her own spiritual director with whom she meets monthly. "Our main call is to pray for priestly vocations and to support our parish priests," said Best. "We pray the Office and attend Mass every day. We are a Marian order so we have a special devotion to Our Lady and pray the rosary every day."

Best and Lorenzana are members of the Ogden chapter. They were born in El Salvador and grew up in a devout Catholic family and attended all-girl Catholic schools. They remember that their city’s festivities were all faith-based. "Our family was devoted to the faith because our sister died of a brain tumor when she was 11 years old," said Best. "We began a devotion to Our Lady then and it became a part of our lives."

"We saw our sister suffer for three years, but she taught us not to be afraid of death," said Lorenzana. "She said dying was just like going to sleep and waking up with Jesus. Our faith has been the heart of our lives."

"That’s what I love about the life of the Carmelites, the liturgy is the focus of our life," said Best. "We participate by attending Mass and praying with Catholics around the world. It begins with the rising of the sun to the setting of the moon. I am so grateful to God."

Best said her grandmother was a third order Franciscan and they were going to make her a Franciscan because she was born on the Feast of Saint Francis. "Here I am a Carmelite by the will of God," she said.