Carmelite Spirituality Network Launches on Feast of St John of the Cross
On December 14 — the feast of St John of the Cross — CACS launched the Carmelite Spirituality Network (CSN), connecting individuals and communities passionate about Carmelite spirituality in soul care ministries across the UK and beyond.
Who CSN Serves:
Spiritual directors, retreat leaders, clergy, religious, lay practitioners, scholars, Third Order Carmelites, and anyone shaped by Teresa, John, Thérèse, or Edith Stein and numerous other Carmelite Saints.
What CSN Offers:
– Quarterly CSN Newsletter
– Digital Hub (articles, videos, prayer resources)
– Annual Symposium + regional gatherings
– Accredited Member Directory (connect with fellow Contemplative spirituality practitioners)
– Resource Library
– CACS programme discounts
Why Now?
“People are hungry for community around Carmelite spirituality,” says Fr Alex. “Many involved in soul care ministries feel isolated. CSN gives them a home.”
First CSN Symposium: October, 2026 in Oxford and Online
Theme: “Into the Dark Night: Carmelite Wisdom for Times of Uncertainty”
Membership are of two types:
– CSN Accredited membership (£150+/year) are for those in active soul care ministry (e.g., spiritual directors, retreat guides, ministry companions, reflective pastoral supervisors, chaplains, etc)
– CSN Sustainer membership (£50+/year) for anyone drawn to deepen their experience of the spiritual life in and through the CSN community and its resources, and supports the work of CSN.
For Accredited Membership and Sustainer membership: Join at csn.org.uk (website live on December 21, 2025)
“John of the Cross teaches us to accompany one another through light and darkness into union with God. CSN embodies this.” — Fr Alex
Under the patronage of St John of the Cross, CSN weaves together the diverse threads of Carmelite spirituality happening across parishes, retreat centres, reflective pastoral supervision and spiritual direction practices.
Join us. Connect. Grow. Serve.
Christmas and New Year at the Priory
Celebrate the birth of our Savior with us this Christmas at the Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford. We warmly welcome you to join our community in prayer as we honour the mystery of the Incarnation – God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Our Christmas liturgies offer a contemplative space to encounter the Christ child in silence, beauty, and sacred celebration.
Christmas Mass Schedule:
December 24: Christmas Vigil Mass @ 7pm
December 25: Christmas Day Mass @ 11am
December 31: New Year Vigil Mass @ 11pm
January 1: New Year’s Day Mass @ 11am
We invite you to our Prayer Vigil on Sunday, December 31 @ 11:45pm after the Vigil Mass, as we join together to pray for a blessed New Year full of grace and fulfilled promises. Should you wish to join us for the prayer session, then please register here.
Please note: Registration will close at 12 noon on Sunday, December 31
‘Carmelite Chants to the Divine Office – Advent Series
We are delighted to announce the release of a beautiful online audio series featuring Carmelite chants for the Lauds and Vespers of Advent. Whether you are beginning your day at home with morning prayer or commuting through traffic, these recordings invite you to join the ancient rhythm of the Divine Office, praying the hours as the friars do. The soul-stirring melodies create a contemplative space wherever you are — in your living room, your car, or even on a walk — allowing this Prayer of the Church to permeate your Advent season with spiritual richness and depth.
For the chants, please visit our YouTube channel.
Deepening Prayer Series – Part II: The Journey of Prayer
If you enjoyed The Foundations of Prayer, perhaps you would like to continue your studies with the second part of the Deepening Prayer Series, The Journey of Prayer. This course, beginning in January 2026, is designed to uncover the rich, transformative process of prayer, examining what one encounters along the path, the signs of growth and regression, its joys and consolations, trials and challenges, and the ultimate goal of union with God. Rooted in the wisdom of Carmelite spiritual masters and mystics, it provides practical guidance and spiritual insight for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and navigate the challenges of the spiritual path. You will journey in a community of like-minded individuals, fostering mutual support and shared growth.
For further information, please click here.
Six Saints, Six Spiritualities: SELS 2026
The Spiritual Enrichment Lecture Series (SELS) is an annual event hosted by the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS), Oxford. It brings together scholars, spirituality practitioners, and those interested in deepening their spiritual life for an annual exploration of spirituality in action. SELS 2026, beginning in January 2026, will focus on six Carmelite saints, exploring the spiritualities that shaped their engagement with God, the world, and others. Each lecture invites reflection, dialogue, and practical inspiration for participants’ own spiritual journeys.
To enrol, click here.
School of Scripture – Explorations in Biblical Spirituality
Does the Bible sometimes feel like a collection of disconnected stories and puzzling prophecies, creating a gap between your head and heart? If you’re ready to embrace a vibrant faith rooted in a living relationship with Scripture, our new online course Explorations in Biblical Spirituality is for you. This guided journey, grounded in Carmelite spirituality, weaves together the grand narrative of Scripture to illuminate a single, powerful thread: God’s invitation to divine intimacy. Seven seasoned Carmelite biblical scholars from around the world will lead you from the Garden of Eden to the global Church, exploring how Scripture calls you into transformative encounter with the Ever-Present God. Beginning in February 2026, this course promises to deepen your understanding of God, the Bible, and your own unique response to the divine invitation, transforming faith from concept to lived relationship. Discover the depth and power you’ve always known is there, waiting to be unlocked.
Learn more and enrol here.
Carmelite Reading Circle – The Way of Purifying Formation
Embrace a transformative start to the year by joining the Carmelite Reading Circle for our upcoming series, The Way of Purifying Formation. Running from January through April, this journey invites you to let go of the illusions of self-sufficiency and cleanse your interior life to make room for grace. Through shared conversation and the wisdom of the spiritual masters, we will explore what it means to trust in divine providence and embrace the cross with a pure heart. Join us to experience the profound peace that comes from surrender and spiritual renewal; register today here.