Community Life

HISTORY — Our Monastery of Mary, Mother of Grace was founded in 1936 from the New Orleans Carmel. From a small beginning in an old southern frame building it has grown into the present community now settled in an attractive and well established Monastery, with a flourishing Secular Order, a Carmelite Guild and many friends.

LOCATION — In the heart of Acadiana (South-West Louisiana) the Monastery grounds cover 11 acres, with a large organic garden, fruit trees, shrubs and a variety of flowers and plants.

MEMBERS — Our Community is diverse, with members from nine states, but all are united in love for God and each other and the desire to live the Carmelite vocation fully.

APOSTOLATE — PRAYER is our sole apostolate. In addition to two hours of mental prayer each day, we maintain a spirit of prayer, recollection and silence. Other spiritual aids are monthly conferences, the yearly community retreat of eight days, each sister's private retreat of twelve days and a weekly "Hermit Day." Specified times for spiritual reading and pondering the Word of God nourish the heart and prepare it for prayer and praise of God in the liturgy.

LITURGY — The Eucharistic Sacrifice and the Liturgy of the Hours are celebrated daily with song and full participation. Eucharistic devotion is prominent in the Community.

ENCLOSURE — We observe enclosure as an aid to maintaining the silence, solitude and recollection indispensable for profound prayer. We do not leave the premises of the Monastery except for special needs or tasks.

WORK — Although sisters have specific responsibilities, everyone shares community work, which can range from sewing vestments to gardening, cleaning, or helping with our world-wide correspondence and quarterly Novena mail-outs.

RECREATION — Daily Community recreation and other times of sharing contribute to a warm, sisterly atmosphere in which each is helped to grow more fully as a person in her vocation.

MARIAN DEVOTION — Since "Carmel is All Mary's" we maintain a fervent devotion to Our Lady, celebrating her feasts with solemnity, living out her requests and imitating her inner life of faith, hope, and love.