LAWRENCEVILLE—The Secular Discalced Carmelite Community of St. Therese, the Little Flower, in Lawrenceville, was recently granted official status by the Vatican. The group was officially declared a canonical community Aug. 12.

The members of St. Therese the Little Flower started their community on March 5, 2002, with 16 people who met in the back of a Catholic gift and book store in Lilburn. In June 2003, the first meeting was held at St. Marguerite d’ Youville Church, Lawrenceville, where its members currently meet on the second Saturday of each month. The community has grown to 28 members from 12 parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

At the celebration, the provincial delegate, Father Bonaventure Sauer, Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, presided at the ceremony assisted by the group’s spiritual guide, Father Kevin Hargaden. Father Hargaden is pastor of St. Matthew Church, Tyrone.