THE CARMEL:
A Call to a Life of Prayer

Carmelite Monastery, 52 Halswell Road, Christchurch 8002, New Zealand.
Tel. (03) 338 9370 ... E-mail: ocdchch@xtra.co.nz

The Carmelite Order traces its origin to a group of 13th century hermits who lived on Mt Carmel in the Holy Land. Taking the Blessed Virgin Mary as their Mother and Patroness, they dedicated themselves to a life of prayer and contemplation in solitude and silence. The Order later spread to Europe and the first monasteries of nuns were founded in the 15th century. 

In 1562, St Teresa of Avila adapted the Carmelite Rule for the renewed form of Carmelite life which she began at St Joseph's Avila.  

Carmelite nuns today regard St Teresa as their spiritual mother and foundress and like the early hermits strive to live in complete dedication to God with Mary as our model in the ways of prayer. Here in our Christchurch Carmel, founded from Sydney in 1933, it is our joy and privilege to continue this living tradition.

Prayer at the Heart Of the Church

The call to Carmel is a call to a life of deep, personal friendship with Jesus Christ, expressed and nourished through prayer.  

In addition to two hours of silent, contemplative prayer, one in early morning and the other in late afternoon, our Carmelite day revolves around the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours - the Divine Office - through which we embrace the whole world with "its joys and sorrows, its problems and fears" (Vatican II).  

The Carmelite nun lives with Jesus crucified for the salvation of the world, offering herself with Him, sharing in the mystery of His death and resurrection, and so playing her part in His redeeming work. "The glory of God and the good of the Church is all I desire. " (St Teresa)

Silence and Solitude

Silence and solitude foster the prayerful atmosphere so typical of Carmel. "Knowledge of God is received in divine silence. " (St John of the Cross) 

Enclosure ensures this climate of silence and recollection. Our separation "from the world for the sake of the world" is an eloquent symbol of our radical committment to a life of unceasing prayer and intercession. Time spent in her cell or in the small hermitages in the garden, as well as times of retreat, allow each sister to enter more deeply into the solitude of the desert.