ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY DO YOU ASK FOR DONATIONS?

In imitation of Christ and His saints, our religious community observes a strict religious poverty and rugged austerity, forgoing modern comforts and conveniences and conducting no business but that of zealously serving God and working for spiritual renewal in the Church. Thus, we wholeheartedly apply ourselves to our religious observance and spiritual work, looking to God and the charity He inspires in generous souls to provide for our physical sustenance. Therefore, our spiritual work and the provision for our many vocations depend on the meritorious cooperation of the lay faithful in their material support and participation in our mission. It is in humility and religious poverty that we materially depend on those for whom we spiritually labor each day. Without you, we could not do this.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

Firstly, please pray for us. And, as little or as much as you are able, a weekly or monthly recurring donation is one of the best ways to help to provide for our spiritual work as well as our many vocations. There is a profound merit in contributing to the work of God in our humble community, and those who have given most sacrificially to this holy cause have received profound graces and fruits in their own lives, in addition to the merit of their charitable sacrifice. Those capable of more substantial involvement in the material provision for the community are invited to inquire about fruitful opportunities for their courageous generosity.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO EXPAND?

Due to its strong growth in numbers, there is a great need for additional facilities and space. As affirmed by Prelates of the Church who are close with our community, it is clear Our Lord is calling our community of humble but devout men to do even more in our service to God and His Church, helping to provide a spiritual remedy to the greatest needs in today’s secularized and hurting world. Therefore, our community has the divine challenge to further expand to accommodate the many vocations and increase the fruits of our service to the Church.

WHY ARE YOU RECEIVING SO MANY VOCATIONS?

In difficult times in history, God calls men to the contemplative life of prayer and sacrifice, which is the vital heart of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Their life and personal sacrifice serve to help spiritually renew the heart of the Church. Thus, in the unprecedented times we are living through today, the Lord is calling many souls to enter into today’s fierce spiritual battle for the “one thing necessary” (Luke 10:42). Many young men, seminarians, or priests are attracted to the fullness of religious observance, intensity of prayer, wholesome orthodoxy, and austere religious poverty that is found in our community.

HOW MANY VOCATIONS ARE YOU RECEIVING?

10-18 more men enter our religious community each year. These men dedicate themselves to a strict religious observance, an austere poverty, and a profound contemplative life of prayer and sacrifice. These men come from a variety of backgrounds, such as farmers, medical students, seminarians, professors, contractors, doctors and former soldiers. All of the Hermits count their vocation as one of the greatest gifts from God, and humbly strive to live up to their consecrated state of life, not chiefly for themselves but for God and His people, in sincere, selfless charity.

CAN I VISIT YOUR MONASTERIES?

In order to protect the schedule of the religious observance as well as the silence, solitude and prayer in the monastery, the addresses of the monasteries are not put on the Internet and visitors are welcome by appointment only. All of the Hermits are engaged in a deep but powerful spiritual labor to intercede for the Church and the world in this silence and solitude. Therefore visitors and traffic to the monastery are generally limited, although the Hermits have close relationships with their families, who visit them regularly.

IS THIS RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN COMMUNION WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

Yes, our religious community of the Discalced Hermits of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is in full communion with the Holy See and the Catholic Church in all of its universal and local diocesan levels, and our community is personally endorsed by several Prelates of the Church.

HOW CAN WE GET IN TOUCH WITH THE HERMITS OR FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?

You may reach out to our community at 1-719-372-4844. You may also find additional information on the Contact or Donate pages on our community’s website.