A Typical day in carmel
The day starts with the sound of the traditional “clapper”: a call to praise God dating from the time of St. Teresa herself.
The Monastery garden in springtime.
5:30am Lauds.
5:50am An hour of silent prayer before the most Blessed Sacrament.
6:50am Prime, including the Martyrology.
7:45am Terce.
8:00am Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Afterwards, a short Thanksgiving in choir and a simple breakfast.
9:00am Various household tasks, as required: sewing, cooking, answering letters, embroidering a vestment, making scapulars, gardening, cleaning a hallway, tending the livestock, painting a statue. Each Sister works in solitude, in a spirit of prayer and recollection. Most important is that each work is done under obedience with a willing and joyful heart.
11:15am The Divine Office of Sext and an examination of conscience. After this the community processes to the Refectory with the recitation of the “De Profundis”.
11:30am The monastic meal takes place in silence while from the pulpit a Sister reads from Holy Scripture or some other spiritual book. The dishes are washed by hand as the Sisters recite prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
12:30pm The Sisters gather together in the recreation room as a family. They work while they converse. There is usually some darning to do or perhaps apples to be peeled. It is a time of much joy and laughter. On Sundays and Feasts days, the Sisters might take a walk together on the monastery grounds or bring out the musical instruments.
2:45pm The Hour of None and the Holy Rosary. This is followed by spiritual reading in the cell.
3:30pm The Novice Mistress instructs the novices in Carmelite spirituality. She emphasizes the importance of the virtues, especially obedience, and directs them towards union with their Divine Spouse.
4:00pm Continuation of the morning duties. All that matters for the Carmelite is to please Our Good Lord and to serve her sisters.
5:10pm Vespers, followed by another hour of quiet prayer.
6:30pm A light evening meal, followed by another hour of Recreation.
8:30pm Compline completes the liturgical day. Grand Silence then begins, lasting until Lauds the following day.
9:45pm The Hour of Matins.
10:45pm The Sisters retire.