In 2026, the Flame of Love movement across the United States will gather for a special conference season centered on the theme “Go Back to the Carmel.”
This theme invites us to rediscover the life and spiritual mission of Elizabeth Kindelmann, O.C.D.S., the humble Hungarian mother and Secular Carmelite through whom the Blessed Virgin first entrusted the grace of the Flame of Love to the world. Elizabeth’s life was not outwardly extraordinary. She endured deep poverty, family struggles, widowhood, and profound interior suffering. Yet it was precisely within this hidden and difficult life that the Lord ignited something extraordinary.
The Sublime Mission of the Flame of Love
The Flame of Love is not simply a devotion—it is a mission entrusted to the Church for our time.
In the Spiritual Diary, the Blessed Virgin speaks about the Flame of Love spreading first from Carmel and igniting hearts throughout the world. She describes this mission as sublime, calling souls to collaborate in bringing the light of Christ into a world increasingly darkened by sin and confusion.
This mission begins in the interior life. As hearts are united more deeply with Jesus, the Flame of Love spreads quietly yet powerfully—blinding Satan, renewing families, strengthening the Church, and drawing countless souls back to God. This is heavens plan to reignite the entire church, heart to heart, a new Pentecost!
Our 2026 conference season will help participants discover and respond to this gift with renewed faith, courage, and zeal.
What to Expect
Each regional conference will offer a time of spiritual renewal and formation through:
- + Inspiring keynote talks and teachings about the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- + Reflections on the life and mission of Elizabeth Kindelmann O.C.D.S.
- + Insights from the rich spirituality of the Carmelite Saints
- + Opportunities for prayer, Eucharistic adoration, Holy Mass, and the Flame of Love Rosary
- + Fellowship with others who desire to live and spread the Flame of Love… Torchbearers of Our Lady!
JOIN US! Regional Events
Whether you are new to the Flame of Love or already a cenacle leader these conferences are offered so that Mary can ignite the Flame of Love into hearts and restore us to Jesus, through Divine Union!
SOUTH
Germantown, TN
June 12th and 13th, 2026
Feasts of The Sacred and Immaculate Hearts
Cost: Single Ticket $60 / Married $100 / Clergy+Consecrated Free
Location: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Welcome back to Our Lady of Perpetual Help! Jill and Ken Metz from the national team will join Regional Leaders, Deacon Norman Alexander and Teresa Elliott, who will be the Emcee.
Click images for more information.
Close By:
Shrine of Saint Faustina, Bartlett, TN
Memphis, TN attractions
Getting there:
If you’re flying to Germantown, the main airport to arrive at is Memphis Intl. Airport (MEM)
South-NationalSpiritual Directors
Father James Blount SOLT
Priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
Fr. Blount speaks of living a life in relationship with each of the Persons of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His teachings depict his deep love for the Eucharist and his intimate relationship, love, and devotion to Jesus and Mary.
Father Robert Thorn
Midwest FOL IHM Spiritual Advisor
Healing & Deliverance Ministry, Diocese of Lacrosse
EAST
Leonardtown, MD
July 25th, 2026
Feast of St James
Location: Leonardtown Md
Join us and meet members of our National Team, Jill and Ken Metz, along with regional Flame of Love leaders such as Monica Ludwig and Diane Salam, who will be serving as our Emcees for the event.
Click images for more information.
Registration opens with more details in April, but in the meantime, plan your trip and plan to stay an extra day or two to take advantage of this beautiful and historic location.
Major commercial airports nearby include Reagan National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and BWI, all roughly 1.5–2 hours away.
This conference will offer a unique opportunity to explore Leonardtown, MD, and meet the amazing people who spread the Flame of Love there. A cornerstone of American Catholic history, located in St. Mary’s County where English Catholics first settled in 1634 to practice freely, this conference will be unforgettable.
Accommodations for Room Block in Leonardtown MD
Friday, July 24 – Feast of St. Charbel
Possible Add-On Ticket , limited seating; details TBD
-St. Clements Island Excursion with Holy Mass
-Visit to Carmelite Monastery at Port Tobacco
Spiritual Directors
Father Scott Woods
Pastor of Sacred Heart, LaPlata MD
Fr. Eugene Wehner “of the Eucharist”, O.C.D.
Coming to us from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Monastery in Washington, DC, he is the main librarian for his community and spiritual assistant for three Secular Carmelite communities. He also gives spiritual direction, retreats, and occasional conferences. He is the author of the e-book Dear Daddy: The Love Letter Method of Meditation
MIDWEST
Champion, WI
September 11 and 12
Feast of The Most Holy Name of Mary
Location: Our Lady of Champion National Shrine
Join us back for the 7th year at this beautiful Shrine of Our Lady! Jill and Ken Metz, along with regional Flame of Love Leader, Lori Brown and members of Flame of Love INDIANA and WISCONSIN welcome you!
Father Thomas Mary O.C.D. joins us to share his powerful testimony.
Click images for more information.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin is the first and only church-approved Marian apparition site in the United States, marking where Mary appeared to Adele Brise in 1859. Visitors experience a peaceful, rural, and sacred place for prayer, offering daily Mass, confessions, adoration, and opportunities for spiritual reflection, healing, and walking the grounds. What to Expect.
Spiritual Directors
Father Robert Thorn
Midwest FOL IHM Spiritual Advisor
Healing & Deliverance Ministry, Diocese of LaCrosse
Father Kevin Barrett
Mid-Atlantic FOL IHM Spiritual Advisor
Chaplin of the Apostolate for Family Consecration
Father Thomas Mary OCD
Carmelite Priest, Holy Hill in WI.
“It is so beautiful to live in a community that focuses on intimacy with the Lord in prayer. It is also a great gift to serve as a priest bringing the riches of Carmelite prayer and spirituality into the lives of so many people.”
WEST – DECEMBER 2026 – Details Coming Soon!
More about this year’s theme, “Return to the Carmel ” …
During a time of deep spiritual darkness , a true Dark Night of the Soul, Elizabeth received an interior call from Jesus to “go back to Carmel.” This return was not simply about a place or an order, but about rediscovering the heart of the Carmelite spiritual life: a life rooted in prayer, sacrifice, surrender, and intimate union with God.
While the Flame of Love is a grace offered to all souls, the Spiritual Diary repeatedly highlights the significance of Carmel. Jesus and Our Lady often addressed Elizabeth with great tenderness as “My little Carmelite,” pointing to the deep connection between this grace and the contemplative spirituality of Mount Carmel.
“My little Carmelite, I invite those living in the House of the Carmelite Fathers. They accomplish missionary work throughout the country with great devotion and love. Let them be the first to receive the Flame of Love and spread it. Their mission is sublime and moving. Don’t hesitate, start working as soon as possible.
My Flame of Love will go forth from the Carmel. They are the ones who honor me the most, or rather, they are the ones most called to honor me. Take two little candles. Light up your little candle first and then the other one from it, then pass it on to my beloved son who will spread it among my 12 most devout souls.”
“I will be with all of you and I will overwhelm you with very special graces. April 15, 1962
Igniting Carmel!
This year, to fan the Flame into Carmel, we will send personal invitations across the country to Carmelite Monasteries. We are truly honored and delighted to welcome the Carmelites! We have made a number of tickets available to them at no cost at all of our conferences. In fact, we welcome all priests and religious to our events free and hope to provide materials as we are able.
If you are able, please consider helping us financially offset the FREE ticket to host a religious. Our national conferences serve as our primary fundraisers for the movement, and hosting large events have considerable costs involved. Even a small donation as you register for the event, can help us spread the Flame! Thank you. ❤️🔥
Come and rediscover the power of the interior life. Come and encounter the Flame of Love more deeply. Come and join this sublime mission for our time.