BOB ABERNETHY: In recent years, the Catholic Church has seen the dramatic growth of a new phenomenon: lay associates. They are men and women -- married and single -- who participate in the prayer life of a religious order without actually becoming members of it. Judy Valente reports on lay associates of the Carmelite order, which stresses silence and contemplation.

Sgt. MARK BURNS (Policeman, on two-way radio): This is Sgt. Burns. Dispatch wanted to talk to me.

I was stabbed, though my vest saved me from that. I was shot at and the guy hit the tree I was standing behind.

JUDY VALENTE: Mark Burns has been a member of the Lansing, Michigan police force for 24 years. He's worked drugs and prostitution and served on the SWAT team.

Sgt. BURNS (on two-way radio): Give me a TX and 3104 please.

VALENTE: But when Burns takes off his police uniform, he takes up a different life: one as a lay member of the Carmelite religious order.

It's well known that the number of priests and nuns is declining. Far less known is the explosive growth in the number of laypeople joining religious orders as what are called secular members or lay associates. There are currently more than 25,000 lay members of religious orders -- a 75 percent increase since just 1995.

In the Carmelites, there are now more lay members than priests and nuns. If that trend holds, lay members will soon outnumber priests and nuns in several religious orders.

Father PATRICK FARRELL: They simply share with the world Carmelite ideas. And the idea of Carmel is to keep in touch with God. They can do it in the ordinary -- the workplace and the marketplace -- all kinds of places where people would never get to see the friars or nuns.

VALENTE: It takes anywhere from two to five years of study and preparation before a layperson can become a member of a religious order. While priests and nuns take permanent vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, lay members make "promises" to live the spirit of those vows.

Gloria Visel, a mother of six who runs a small business, explains.

GLORIA VISEL: For a married person, that of course doesn't mean no sexual activity. We use sexuality in a life-giving way as God intended it to be, as a good thing.

VALENTE: And as for poverty...

Ms. VISEL: If I was working a full-time job, I probably could really increase our retirement. But to me, the life God gave me right now is much more meaningful and valuable if I have the freedom and time to spend in regular prayer.

VALENTE: Most lay members don't expect to play an active role in the daily life of the order. They are seeking support to deepen their personal spirituality beyond attending weekly mass or volunteering at a parish.

As a lay associate, Visel follows a prayer regimen similar to that in monastic life.

Ms. VISEL: We commit to morning and evening prayer every day and also 30 minutes of mental prayer, which simply means a quiet time of being with God in His presence.

VALENTE: Lay associates are expected to perform charitable works and generally

be signs of God's presence in the everyday world.

Ms. VISEL: As a mother, I try not to preach to my children. I've tried to let them see what I do. I've hoped to give a good example. I've worked with the poor and been involved in my parish in different ways.

VALENTE: They are required to meet frequently with other members for prayer and attend regional conferences like this one in Flint, Michigan, to receive spiritual direction from priests.

Unidentified Woman: If you're having trouble with a fault or flaw and you can't seem to get past it, does it boil down to a lack of love?