The Carmel of Mary Immaculate and St. Mary Magdalen
Information
Religious
Women
Cloistered
Get in Touch!
908-782-4802 opt. 4, Mother Prioress
Location(s)
26 Harmony School Road, Flemington, NJ. 08822-2606
Patron Saints/Famous Saints of the Community
St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.
Charism/Apostolate
The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Flemington, New Jersey, are a community of cloistered, contemplative religious under solemn vows. By their style and way of life, they express their call to follow Our Lord ever more closely in silence and solitude. Prayer, both communal and solitary, is the center of this life.
History
Carmel is the Order of Our Lady. She is the Mother and model for our life of joyful obedience and service. The ancient traditions of the Order begin with the Prophet Elijah. His ardent cry, "With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of Hosts," is Carmel's inspiration.
Saint Teresa of Avila inherited Elijah's burning zeal for the glory of God and of His Church. Her unique charism was to instill this spirit of totality in her Carmelite daughters. Mother Mary Magdalen of Jesus Crucified, then Prioress of the Morristown Carmel, was inspired to make a foundation in response to Our Lady of Fatima's call for prayer and penance.
Prayer Life
Saint Teresa of Avila, Mother and Foundress of the Discalced Carmelite Order, describes prayer as 'conversation with Christ". The loving relationship with Jesus which develops in this way gradually comes to pervade the whole day. This is what a Carmelite is meant to be - living prayer in the Heart of the Church. This is our vocation. Participation in this great prayer of the Church with its cycle of psalms is a powerful expression of the needs and longing of all humanity, and implores God's mercy and peace for the world.
Traditions
The Flemington Carmel chooses to maintain strict enclosure, wear the full habit as a sign of poverty and consecration to God, and preserves many of the traditional monastic observances. The lifestyle is simple and austere, but not excessively so. Two daily hours of recreation enrich and enliven community living. In the words of Saint Teresa herself… "Lord, deliver us from gloomy saints!"
Manual work has always been an important part of monastic life.
It is an authentic witness to the vow of poverty and provides a healthy balance for an intense spiritual life. All share in the common household and gardening tasks, and also in the work by which we help to support ourselves (including printing, sewing and various forms of hand-crafts).