Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mission of Apostoli Viae (Apostles of the Way)?

The mission of the Apostles of the Way is to live, light, and lead the Way to union with God.

• To Live the Way is to understand, wholeheartedly embrace, and joyfully live the contemplative life.
• To Light the Way is to joyfully witness to, invite, reveal, and teach the contemplative path to all who thirst.
• To Lead the Way is to generously, personally, and individually serve, form, and guide pilgrims on the path to union with God and love of neighbor.

Is Apostoli Viae a Catholic Community?

• Yes, we are thoroughly Catholic, and as such, we joyfully embrace all the teachings of the authentic magisterium and submit to them without reservation. 

To Whom Are You Accountable?

• We are accountable to the Catholic Church and the Holy Father as the Vicar of Christ regarding our teachings and practice, and we are specifically accountable to the magisterium of the Church and as a private association of the faithful to Bishop Steven Raica of the diocese of Birmingham Alabama, and in general to the Archbishop of the diocese of Mobile with whom we are in good standing.

Where are You Located?

• Our Home base is at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Retreat and Center for Spiritual Formation (photo right) in Montgomery Alabama. However, the real answer to this question is "all over the world."  We have small groups and members from the United States to Canada, Mexico, Australia, and beyond.

Who is the Founder of Apostoli Viae?

• Dan Burke

Why was Apostoli Viae Founded?

• "The call to found Apostoli Viae came from open hearts and desires of the people of God. A number who were close to our apostolic works through SpiritualDirection.com and the Avila Institute (Avila-Institute.com), asked for a deeper kind of relationship and a way to live out a common spirituality. This spirituality began in my heart in the spirituality of St. Teresa of Avila and led me into the Catholic Church, where I was confirmed and received on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (by no machinations of my own). This movement of the heart matured in and through deeper exploration of Carmelite wisdom. As I searched for community in this spirituality, I was unable to find the fire and wisdom of Carmelite spirituality that I experienced in the writings of Sts Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. I had no doubt that it existed in some Carmelite communities, but it was never available to me, no matter how hard I searched. At one key moment, I was speaking to a holy friend to whom I revealed my discomfort regarding the possibility of starting something new. I told her, 'I am not holy enough.' She said, 'It is not about you.' This prophetic word liberated me from my self-centered fears and gave me the courage to launch out in the summer of 2016. Our official founding date is the same date that welcomed me into the Church more than a decade before. It continues to be the day we welcome new souls into community." Note - we began with just twenty participants and as of January of 2025, more than 4,000 have joined and participate in some way. We also have thousands in small Gospel Encounter groups that meet weekly all over the wrold.

What is our Motto?

• "Unum est Necessarium" (One Thing is Necessary – Luke 10:42)

  "In St. Luke’s Gospel chapter 10, verses 41-42, Jesus rebukes Martha for her well-intended failure to keep first things first. In contrast, Jesus praises Mary for making the right choice to sit at His feet. He affirms Mary by saying to Martha,        “…one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the better part, which shall not be taken from her.” So it is that our first desire, and foundational to the contemplative life, is to begin each day on our knees and to work toward a time when we can all remain continuously in union with Him regardless of our occupations or demands of state in life. Though “Mary and Martha must join together” (St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, Chapter 7) to labor for the Kingdom, we seek to always first orient our hearts to prayer and then to service. 'Unless our life is one of intimacy with God… we cannot be His collaborators, docile instruments in His hands; unless we have an intense interior life, we cannot have the mind of Christ and be associated with His love and His work for the salvation of souls.' - Fr. Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. In the community of Apostoli Viae, we commit to the axiom revealed in all who live the contemplative life, 'All things for God, begin before God, on our knees.'"

Who Can Formally Participate in Apostoli Viae?

• Anyone can informally participate without cost or formal membership other than a free membership/registration on the website. For those who desire formal association, they must be free of canonical or other impediments and be in good standing with the Catholic Church.

I Heard You Provide Free Monthly Formation. Can Anyone Participate in That?

• Yes, we provide formation to anyone who desires it on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at 8:00 a.m. Central. To participate, simply create a membership profile on this site and then search for and join the "Sojourners" group. As a member of the site, you will receive an agenda in a notice before every meeting, and you will have access to recordings of past meetings. 

Do I Need to Be In a Specific Location to Receive the Monthly Formation You Offer?

• No. We have local Gospel Encounter groups that meet face-to-face worldwide, but we all meet live/online two Saturdays each month as a larger group to receive formation. It is a joy to see our participants from all corners of the globe join us through conference meeting software. Some log-in from China, Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, Croatia, Australia, and other areas of the world. You are invited!

Does it Cost Anything to Create a Membership to the Site?

• No. Though the site has extensive resources and care for our community, which is extraordinary, there is no cost for you to create and benefit from a membership. We appreciate donations to offset the costs, but these are strictly voluntary.

​Do I Need to Be a Member To Access the Content?

• The blog section of the site is open for all to read and review. All of the remaining content and formation require registration. The reason for this is our commitment to protect the vibrant and very personal, and powerful spiritual conversations constantly flowing in and through the community as they interact using the site. 

I am a Catholic Priest. Can I be a member of Apostoli Viae?

• Yes. Apostoli Viae is blessed with several Catholic priests who participate formally and informally to more fully live out their calling as diocesan priests.

Are Non-Catholics Allowed to Participate?

• Yes, to an extent. All those open to exploring the Catholic faith are welcome to join the site and avail themselves of the materials and formation provided to Sojourners. However, for formal association, all members must be Catholic and in good standing with the Catholic Church.