A Way of Life
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This way is holy and good: walk in it
We beseech them in the Lord Jesus Christ that,
working in silence, they eat their own bread.
This way is holy and good walk in it.-Rule of Saint Albert, chapter 20
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A Way of Prayer
The monastic day begins at midnight.Â
The nuns rise to break their sleep in praise of God and intercession for the world, while the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each morning is the heartbeat of their entire contemplative life. From the Mass flows the Liturgy of the Hours, which the nuns chant in common seven times throughout the day.Imitating Mary who "kept all these things, pondering them in her heart,"Â (Luke 2:19)Â the nuns ponder the Word of God received in the Liturgy and in lectio, in silent work and solitary prayer.
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A Way of Community
The strong bond of communion within the Carmelite monastic community stands in fruitful tension with the heremitical spirituality of Mount Carmel.
The meals are taken together in silence, accompanied by reading from Holy Scripture and other spiritual books.
The daily period of recreation provides an opportunity for speaking and laughing together, sharing the simple joys of life.
In community dialogue, the nuns strive to be of one mind and heart even in diversity.
In Carmelite life, the nun calls nothing her own, but holds all things in common with her sisters. -
A Way of Service