OUR VISION
Promoting excellence in soul care ministries …
We envision a world where those called to accompany others on their spiritual journey are thoroughly formed, professionally competent, and deeply rooted in the contemplative tradition. We see spirituality practitioners flourishing in communities of mutual support, accountability, and friendship—equipped to facilitate life-transforming encounters with the living God.
Our vision embraces the conviction that excellence in ministry is not a luxury but a sacred responsibility. Those who guide others toward deeper union with God deserve excellent preparation, ongoing formation, and a supportive community that upholds the highest standards of integrity, authenticity, and transparency.
OUR MISSION
Forming competent ministers in the contemplative tradition
The Carmelite Spirituality Network (CSN) aims to ensure ministerial competence and theologically informed practice in ministry through providing support and opportunities for ongoing in-depth formation, education, training and resources to those called to minister for Christ and his Church by a contemplative approach to ministry that draws on the mystical tradition of the Church and especially the Carmelite tradition.
We fulfil this mission by accrediting spirituality practitioners who meet rigorous standards, featuring them in our global Directory, and providing pathways for continued professional and spiritual development. We foster a learning community where members grow together in competence and holiness, sharing resources and supporting one another’s creative initiatives for the building up of Christ’s Church.
OUR STORY
Rooted in tradition, reaching toward the future
The Carmelite Spirituality Network (CSN) emerges from the fruitful work of the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS), which has formed many men and women in the art of spiritual accompaniment over many years.
Both CACS and CSN are firmly rooted in the 800-year-old Carmelite tradition—a heritage that has nurtured some of the Church’s greatest mystics and spiritual guides, including Saints Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of Lisieux. This tested and trusted tradition provides a solid foundation for forming spirituality practitioners who can be relied upon to guide others with wisdom, integrity, and deep spiritual grounding.
CACS was born from a vision to realise Saint Teresa of Ávila’s charism for our own times—facilitating spiritual renewal and rejuvenation for a world hungry for authentic encounter with God. In one of his millennial addresses, Pope Saint John Paul II reminded us that Christianity’s greatest achievements were not the cathedrals, monasteries, or universities of the past, but the as-yet-to-be-created projects by which evangelisation of Christ’s Gospel would continue to turn human history toward the destiny made possible by the Paschal Mystery.
CACS became one of these future-shaping initiatives—a cathedral without walls and a monastery for incubating holiness, accessible to all, everywhere. Through its formation programmes, CACS has equipped spiritual directors, retreat facilitators, and ministry accompaniers across the globe, nurturing a community of practitioners committed to excellence in soul care.
CSN is the fruit of this formative work. As CACS continues its mission of education and formation, CSN was established to steward the ongoing need to maintain standards, regulate practice, resource members, and promote the creativity and good work of spirituality practitioners for Christ and his Church. Together, CACS and CSN embody a shared commitment: equipping those who equip others, so that the transforming love of God might reach ever more souls through ministers formed in the Carmelite contemplative tradition.
OUR COVENANT
In the footsteps of our saintly forbears in Carmel and living a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Cor 10:5), we the members of the Carmelite Academy of Sacred Encounter adhere to this Covenant:
Spiritual Integrity
We strive towards deeper intimacy with God who dwells within (cf. John 14:3) through commitment to a lifestyle nurtured by prayer, the word of God and the sacred mysteries that ensures the spiritual integrity of our ministry.
Human Flourishing
We serve people considering their wellbeing and flourishing as priority; and we respect their views and differences; maintaining a professional relationship with them and, supporting them to avail of their own inner resources or to find assistance from others in the appropriate area of competence required.
Dignity of Persons
We work to promote the dignity and worth of all human beings as beloved of God who in their deepest reality are of magnificent beauty and marvellous capacity.
Spiritual Friendship
We honour the Teresian ideal that, “In this house, all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped.”
Spiritual Charism
We acknowledge our ministry as a spiritual charism freely given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the members of Christ’s Body, the Church. We, therefore, exercise this ministry not for any material gains but in service of God’s invitation to all for a more abundant life (John 10:10), adhering to the divine directive: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Mt 10:8); receiving with gratitude whatever may be given in appreciation (Mt 10:10; Lk 10:7).
Accountability
We value the support of spiritual companionship found in our pilgrim and learning community whose integrity is founded in keeping our covenant commitments to one another; and providing opportunities for accountable ministry practice through peer supervision.
Ministerial Competence
We recognise that soul-work is to walk on holy ground and so the attendant need to continually grow in ministerial competence and theologically informed best practice, commit to ongoing resourcing of our practice through study programmes and retreat days.
CODE OF ETHICS
CORE COMPETANCIES
I will strive to deepen my intimacy with God, commit to on-going in-depth spiritual formation and to serve with integrity.
Contemplative Grounding
- deep consistent prayer life and spiritual practice(s)
- ability to discern God’s presence in the ministry
I commit to fostering a safe and sacred space that respects the individual and supports their wellbeing, including referring to other resources when appropriate. their wellbeing and flourishing as priority; respects their views and differences; empowers them to avail of their own inner resources, including referring to other resources when appropriate.
Empowerment Discernment
- active and empathic listening
- ability to empower others access to their inner resources
- non-directive guidance
- knowledge of referral networks, when and how to refer
I will treat every person with profound respect, honouring their inherent dignity and unique identity.
Sacred Regard
- ability to communicate unconditional positive regard
- respect for a person’s culture, background and dignity
- recognizing and affirming the divine image in each person
I will accurately represent my qualifications, recognize my limitations, and commit to ongoing learning and development.
Formative Excellence
- commitment to ongoing growth in competence and theologically informed best practice
- commitment to supervision
- self-awareness to recognize limitations and skill gaps
- meeting accreditation standards
- work within the CSN Covenant Principles and Code of Ethics
I will clearly communicate that the ministry is offered without charge, though accepting freewill offerings, and I will not enter into contractual agreements that require payment.
Gratitude Stewardship
- motivated primarily by a response to Christ’s call to compassionate service, rather than personal gain or money
- articulate charism as divine gift
- exercising ministry as a partner in the mission of Christ and his Church
- trusting in the Spirit’s grace and divine providence
I will engage in peer supervision and community accountability, maintaining confidentiality and report progress honestly without breaching confidentiality.
Communal Integrity
- ability to engage in reflective practice and receive feedback
- commitment to peer supervision
- maintaining confidentiality in group settings
- actively participating in formation, supervision, and accountability structures (e.g., safeguarding agencies) to ensure alignment with Christian ethos
I commit to fostering and co-creating environments of belonging, friendship, mutual respect and support, both for ministry and within the ministerial community.
Teresian Hospitality
- ability to build authentic, non-possessive relationships
- ability to hold the other in compassionate care
- creating a safe space that enables trust, mutual care and freedom of expression
- community-building skills