Carthusians Monks, are a profound group of men that are a model for us to imitate and today we will look at just that, things we can imitate from them and a brief history on them.
Their known for their profound silence and deep contemplation, the Carthusians live a life of solitude, prayer, and silence.
The Carthusian Order, founded by Saint Bruno in 1084, is one of the most or the most contemplative and austere religious orders in the Catholic Church. The monks live in individual cells, coming together only for communal prayer. Their lives are characterized by solitude, silence, and a profound commitment to seeking God.
To understand the essence of the Carthusian way of life, let’s turn to the words of Saint Bruno himself. He once said, “While the world changes, the cross stands firm.”
In their pursuit of God, Carthusians embrace a life of simplicity, obedience, and humility. Their daily routine revolves around the Liturgy of the Hours, manual labor, and private prayer. It’s a life that echoes the sentiments of Saint John Chrysostom, who said, “Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine never exhausted, a sky unobstructed by clouds, a haven unruffled by storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.”
The heart of the Carthusian Order is the Charterhouse, their monastic home. Here, each monk lives in a small hermitage, spending the majority of their time in solitude.
The Carthusians truly embody the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, who once said, “In solitude, we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared.”
Silence is a hallmark of the Carthusian life, fostering an environment where one can listen to the whispers of God. As Saint Faustina Kowalska wisely noted, “Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will quickly be caught in the devil’s trap.“
In their silence, Carthusian monks seek a profound encounter with the divine, echoing the sentiments of Saint John Climacus, who said, “Silence is the mother of prayer, a recall from captivity, preservation of fire, an overseer of thoughts, a watch against enemies.“
A normal day for a carthusian monk starts at
11:30 pm: Rise. Pray Matins of the Virgin Mary and they have Personal prayer in cell.
The brothers rise at midnight.
12:15 am: In church, pray Office of Matins followed by Lauds. Angelus.
Between 2:15 and 3:15 am: Return to cell and sleep after Lauds of the Blessed Virgin.
06:30 or 06:45 am: Rise.
07:00 am: Office of Prime, followed by the Angelus. Prayer or readings in preparation for Mass.
08:00 am: Conventual Mass in the church. Then, prayer and then work.
10:00 am: Office of Terce in cell. Then lectio divina and study.
Noon: Angelus. Office of Sext. Meal.
After the meal there is a time called “recreation”, which can be used freely.
2:00 pm: Office of None. For the fathers, a time of manual work in the cell usually follows. The converse brothers return to their work in the obediences.
4:00 pm marks the end of the activities. Vespers of the Virgin Mary in cell.
4:15 pm: Vespers in church, and then return to cell.
5 pm: Spiritual reading.
Between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m.: Supper (lighter meal)
6.45 pm: Angelus and office of Compline.
Between 7:30 and 8:00 pm: Bedtime.
And then they repeat day after day, so as you can see it is a routine of pure prayer and silence. A routine of saints.
These monks never seek for attention, they despise it. When one of them dies, they just place them in a dug hole without no actual graveyard or name to signify that you were burry there. There is only a cross, and the only one that knows who’s burry where, is the superior who has it documented.
When they publish a book, the author is always “A Carthusian” rather than their name.
Only one day a week they interact community, other than that they just lived in silence. They cant interact with the outside world, they only communicate with letters, to be exact, 7 a year.
The following is a story that shows the holiness of these monks.
Things we could imitate from them
1. Embrace Silence and Solitude:
Carthusians prioritize silence and solitude, providing a conducive environment for deep contemplation and prayer. While a complete withdrawal from the world might not be feasible for everyone, finding moments of quiet and reflection in daily life can be beneficial.
2. Structured Prayer Life:
The monks follow a structured schedule of prayer throughout the day. Incorporating regular prayer into our routine can help us deepen our relationship with the Lord. It could be any kind of prayer, I personally as the Carthusians, pray the liturgy of the hours, but it could be something as simple as praying a hail Mary every other hour. What matters is to pray, pray, and pray.
3. Mindful Living:
Carthusians live a life of mindfulness, paying attention to each moment and each task. Being fully present in our daily activities, whether it’s work, eating, or interacting with others, can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
4. Regular Retreats:
Carthusians take extended periods of solitude, and while not everyone can commit to such lengths, incorporating regular retreats or breaks to disconnect from the busyness of daily life can be rejuvenating. Maybe going for a walk without any electronics or doing something away from your daily routine.
5. Ownership of Schedule:
The monks have a carefully planned schedule. Taking ownership of our schedules, setting priorities, and avoiding unnecessary distractions can lead to a more purposeful and intentional life.
We have created a Yearly Planner to help you have ownership of your daily, monthly, and yearly goals. It includes a habit tracker, daily, monthly, yearly view, and it also has the yearly daily readings!
Conclusion
The Carthusian way of life teaches us the beauty of solitude, the power of silence, and the steadfastness of the cross in a changing world. And like saint Bruno said,“In the solitude and silence of the wilderness, God gives his athletes the reward they desire: a peace that the world does not know and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Let us then get inspired by these extraordinary monks.
God bless you.
