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Home > Our People > Nuns (Sisters)
 CARMELITE MONASTERY
52 Halswell Road,
Christchurch 8002,
New Zealand.
Tel. +64 (03) 338 9370
Click here to contact
the sisters by email.
Newsletter (March 2003)
Newsletter (Christmas 2002)
 Our
History
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)
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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 commitment
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.
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We are a family of sisters, loving and supporting each other in
our journey towards union with God, willingly placing our gifts and
talents at the service of the community. Two periods of recreation
during the day when we come together to relax and talk, unite us all
in a spirit of joyous sharing and help provide the balance needed
in a life devoted to prayer.
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All the sisters share in the usual household tasks. We work as well
to support ourselves by the making of Altar-breads, vestments, art-work.
etc. We also tend our large garden and small farm attached to the
monastery. "Labour is also a way of associating ourselves with
the redemptive work of Christ. " (Constitutions)
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Timetable
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AM
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6.00
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Morning Prayer (Divine Office)
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6.20
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Silent Prayer
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7.20
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Breakfast followed by work
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8.30
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Mass preceded by prayer before noon (Divine Office)
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9.15
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Work
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11.00
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Midday Prayer (Divine Office)
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11.20
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Dinner
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PM
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12.10
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Recreation
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1.10
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Work in solitude
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2.00
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Afternoon Prayer (Divine Office)
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2.15
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Spiritual Reading
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3.00
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Work
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4.30
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Evening Prayer (Divine Office)
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5.00
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Silent Prayer
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6.00
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Supper
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6.45
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Recreation
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7.45
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Night Prayer (Divine Office) followed
by free time in cell: reading, study, etc.
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9.30
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Office of Readings (Divine Office) - Retire
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Those who come to join the community test their vocation
for several years before making a final commitment.
 After
spending 6 - l8 months as a postulant, they receive the habit and spend
a further two years as a novice. At the end of this time they make profession
of the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for three years and then
finally bind themselves for life to the service of God in Carmel by
Solemn Vows.
... Poverty, that is to surrender all we have to Jesus and
possess nothing of our own so that all our riches are in Him.
... Chastity, that is to surrender our whole being, body
and soul to Jesus our Bridegroom, in order to love Him with undivided
heart.
... Obedience, that is to surrender our whole will to Jesus,
seeking to do always that which pleases His Father, and become a living
sacrifice of praise.
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Is God calling you to Carmel?
We invite young women who feel drawn to seek God in the contemplative
life to visit our monastery or write for further information to:
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Christchurch Carmel Newsletters: 2001 | 2002 | 2003
| 2004 | Email Christchurch
Carmel
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