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 orchard in springtime.
Just before daybreak, the sisters rise to pray Lauds and Prime, along with an hour of silent prayer in the Choir together, before the most Blessed Sacrament.
After a break to take care of their duties, the Sisters pray Terce before Holy Mass begins.
After thanksgiving, the sisters have various household tasks to perform: sewing, cooking, answering letters, spinning, weaving, making scapulars, gardening, cleaning, tending the livestock, maintaining their little house. Each Sister works in solitude, in a spirit of prayer and recollection. The Sisters great joy is to be diligently working, each in her own little cell or workroom, in the presence of God.
In the middle of the day the Sisters return to Choir to pray the Divine Office of Sext. The community processes to the Refectory with the recitation of the psalm “De Profundis”.
The main monastic meal takes place in silence while a Sister reads from Holy Scripture or some other spiritual book, or on a feastday, perhaps something lighter. The dishes are washed by hand as the Sisters recite prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
After the main meal, the Sisters gather together in their recreation room as a family. They work while they converse. It is a time of much joy and laughter while the sisters process and spin the fleece from their animals or other simple hand work. On Sundays and Feasts days, the Sisters might take a walk together in the monastery paddocks or bring out the musical instruments.
After a break, and a short rest during the hotter months, the Sisters find themselves in the Choir once more to pray None.
In the afternoon, while the older sisters are doing spiritual reading in their cells, the Novice Mistress instructs the novices in Carmelite spirituality.
Then all the Sisters continue in their daily responsibilities. As they work to serve one another and build up their monastery, they know that their prayer, joy and sacrifices are building up the Church and their loved ones throughout the world.
As the afternoon grows darker and the cockatoos are seen overhead flying back to the Gulpa Creek for the night, the Sisters know that the bell will soon call them to Vespers and another hour of quiet prayer.
Once again, they process to the Refectory for a light evening meal and another joyful hour of encouraging each other at Recreation.
Compline then completes the liturgical day. Grand Silence begins, and the Sisters proceed with the Hour of Matins before retiring to their cells.
Their day varies slightly according to each of the seasons, and also includes the Holy Rosary and other devotions. A highlight is the Solemn Salve Regina on Saturday evenings and the vigil of Feasts of Our Lady.