The Art of Prayer
Sr. Carmel Little, CSJP, brings a deep and abiding sense of spirituality to every aspect of her life and ministry. With a gift for crafting prayers that inspire, comfort, and guide, Sr. Carmel has a unique ability to articulate the sacred and draw others closer to God through her words.
Sr. Carmel's journey as a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace has been one of extraordinary service and learning. She holds a BA in Education from Seattle University, a Master’s Degree in Religious Education from St. Meinrad College in Indiana, and a postgraduate diploma in Spiritual Theology from Regis College in Toronto. These foundations have shaped her ministry, which has included teaching, leadership within her community, and directing the Peace & Spirituality Center.
For Sr. Carmel, each ministry has been a gift, as she reflects: "Every ministry I have been involved in has been a gift to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed each one – I have been blessed by the people I have met. My joy is being with people on their spiritual journey – it is total grace."
One of Sr. Carmel’s most cherished contributions is preparing the Weekly Peace Prayer, a tradition deeply rooted in the life of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.
The Peace Prayer began as a heartfelt response to the tragic events of 9/11. Originally held only at St. Mary’s by Sr. Rose Anna Marti, CSJP and Linda Chelotti, the prayer has since expanded to include the entire Congregation. Sr. Carmel began preparing it around 2002 or 2003, initially focusing on her region before it became a unifying tradition for all.
This prayer, blending curated and original content, serves as a source of inspiration and unity. While there are no strict guidelines for its structure, Sr. Carmel often incorporates a passage from the CSJP Constitutions, believing it to be an essential element of the prayer.
Each week, the sisters gather in the Chapel to pray the Peace Prayer every Tuesday at 4:30 pm, uniting in spirit for peace and contemplation. The same prayer is made available online for all to join. We warmly invite you to participate from wherever you are, uniting in prayer for peace in our world.
Through the Peace Prayer, we hope to build a shared sense of hope, connection, and grace, no matter the distance between us. These moments of prayer remind us of our shared commitment to peace and the sacred bond we share as a community.
Sr. Carmel continues to create other prayers for the community beyond the Peace Prayer, carrying forward the mission of peace and spirituality in everything she does. Below, you will find a link to access the Weekly Peace Prayer. Additionally, we will be sharing selected pieces of Sr. Carmel’s inspiring work to guide your personal prayer journey. Her words are a gift to all who seek solace, hope, and connection in their lives.