Saint Therese of the Child Jesus spent nine of her 24 years as a Discalced Carmelite Nun in the Carmel of Lisieux, France. Her spirituality is deeply marked by the insights that she received from those Carmelites who went before her.

The Carmelites were founded in the late twelfth century by a group of hermits who were living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. Their life was characterised by an intense following of Jesus Christ who called them personally to live with him and seek him through prayer in silence and solitude. The Discalced Carmelite Order is a sixteenth century reform, founded by St Teresa of Avila with Saint John of the Cross.

For a Carmelite, prayer is deeply theological. It is guided by the teachings and experience of Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross, as well as the saints who have followed in their steps, like St Thérèse, Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity, St Teresa of the Andes, and martyrs like those of Compiegne, St Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and Pére Jacques.

Each day is marked by silence to create an environment for a house of prayer. In addition to the daily celebration of the full Liturgy of the Hours, two hours are set aside for uninterrupted silent prayer. The life is well balanced: community life is marked by much laughter around the meal table and during recreation. Communities are kept fairly small to nourish an atmosphere of genuine community and sharing.

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