Enamoured of God

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Charism

The charism of the Discalced Carmelites is closely related to the spiritual life of St. Teresa of Jesus. It is striving to unite with God through inner prayer (contemplative prayer). It is a lifestyle based on following Christ in His prayer at the desert. This charism is lived in a brotherly community gathering around Mary - our Sister and Mother.

contemplation

community

apostolate

The life of a Discalced Carmelite

Everybody is to stay alone in their cells or close to them, day and night giving themselves to the contemplation of God’s Law and to prayer vigil, unless a different just cause falls to be addressed.

Formation

The adventure in Carmel starts with vocation discernment. This is the time when you learn about yourself, your desires, motivations, the time when you get used to prayer. It is also the time of learning about Carmel (its history, spirituality and the friars’ lifestyle). During that time the following may help: spiritual direction, days of group and individual recollection organized by monasteries and contact with vocation directors.

History

MOUNT CARMEL

We associate our beginnings with Mount Carmel in Palestine. This place is marked by the life and activity of the prophet Elijah.

RULE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

The first monks obtained the Rule of life from St. Albert of Jerusalem, they were received by the Church as the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

CARMELITE CONVENT

In 1562 the Holy See granted permission to saint Teresa of Jesus to found a convent living accorning to the primitive rule.

ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES

In 1580 pope Gregory XII establishes the Order of Discalced Carmelites.

FIRST DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH

In the 21st century Carmelite saints Teresa of Jesus and John of the Cross are declared doctors of the Church.

Vocation

The essential thing in the process of discerning one’s vocation is prayer – the personal bond with Jesus. Without it our human efforts turn out to be ineffective. Sensitivity to His presence, frequent feeding on His Word, everyday concern for the time devoted entirely to being with Him – all that is necessary to recognize His desires and make binding decisions.

Retreats

If you want to discover your vocation to Carmel you are invited to Recollection Days and vocation retreats. In Carmel silence and solitude are important, therefore we offer you a stay in an individual cell and an atmosphere suitable for prayer and being alone with God.

WEEKEND RECOLLECTION DAY

Weekend Recollection Days take place in Czerna, Lublin, Cracow, Przemysl. In all these places Recollection Days start at 4 p.m. on Friday and finish about 2 p.m. on Sunday. The participants join the monastery’s daily schedule through common prayers, meals and the Holy Mass. They can also take part in conferences and held personal interviews.

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VOCATION RETREATS

Vocation retreats. Vocation retreats is the time of discerning one’s vocation. The most important part of each day of the reatreats is the Eucharist. Other important elements of the reatreats include: individual prayer, adoration, singing and reciting the breviary together.

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For candidates

A PERSON WISHING TO START LIVING IN CARMEL SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING GIFTS

love for prayer
ability to live in a fraternity
true implementation of the ideal of religious life
ability to love selflessly and sacrifice himself
predispositions towards cooperation and establishing interpersonal relations

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR LEADING A LIFE IN CARMEL

insensitivity to spiritual life
inability to live in obedience, chastity and poverty
lack of good physical health
lack of mental and emotional balance
instability in the faith, changeability under the influence of false doctrines, religious ignorance

Contact us

Jakub Przybylski OCD

Jacob of the Cross

He comes from Czestochowa. He entered Carmel in 2008 and he considers it the best decision in his life.

Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Czerna
Czerna 79 | 32-065 Krzeszowice
phone +48 501 959 725