Communal prayer is the second touchstone for Carmelite spirituality. Praying the psalms and the scriptures throughout the day is what is called the Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office. We usually sing a simple meditative chant.  Psalms, canticles, and readings from Scripture, supplemented with hymns, petitions, and meditative silence comprise this biblically based form of prayer. It raises our spirits in praise and supplication.  This community prayer is offered in union with the whole church, for the needs of the whole world and all of creation.

Holidays and celebrations of special occasions are frequently observed with prayers unique to the occasion. These flow from our lived experience of the traditions of Carmel and as women in the contemporary world.

People from the surrounding area often join us in chapel for morning and evening prayer.  It is one way we share our Carmelite prayer tradition with the wider community.

We are blessed to have a lovely chapel with spectacular views of the city and the valley beneath us.  It is an architectural expression of our openness to the world and our vocation to be a place of prayer for and with that world.  Following morning or evening prayer we have Mass in our chapel. On those occasions when we do not have a priest, we have a Communion Service.
Our chapel is open for those who wish to join us in worship and anyone is welcome to pray there during the day. Anyone interested can also participate in contemplative prayer groups facilitated by one of the sisters. These meet in our chapel on a regular basis. Over the course of a week many people take advantage of these opportunities. They find our monastery a place of peace and renewal.

Another dimension of living together prayerfully is meeting as a community regularly.  Such gatherings are always framed by prayer and placed in that context. We do theological reflection and faith sharing in common. There are workshops and speakers to encourage spiritual growth and on topics of common interest.  Even our business and planning sessions center on encouraging growth in prayer, dedication to gospel service, and care for the earth upon which we live. Decisions are made through a process of discussion and individual and communal discernment. Leadership is in service of the community. Each sister is reverenced and each sister is heard. We consider the process of community dialogue and decision-making a form of prayer and a consequence of shared prayer.

Our Chapel

Praying the Liturgy
of the Hours