Carthusian Vocation

[parvulus]

Hello,

I am considering a Carthusian vocation. I only speak English so am only considering Transfiguration in the USA and Parkminster in the UK. Does anyone have any experience with either of these places? I have discerned with Benedictines and loved the freedom of the religious life but was drawn to the Carthusian charism, so I am not going in completely blind.

Pax

[Luigi]

No experience whatsoever. The Carthusians keep to themselves, pretty much; they don't maintain FB pages or post much in the way of news on their web sites. 

But go in peace to love and serve the Lord. 

[Lou]

I wonder if you've ever visited the Trappists? More solitude than the Benedictines for sure, more liturgy in common that the Carthusians. This is oversimplfying it and I don't know where you are based, but maybe check out Gethsemani in Kentucky or Mepkin Abbey.

[GraceUk]

Have you come across this book, called 'when Silence Speaks' written by Tim Peeters. Its about the Carthusian order and gives a lot of information about the charism and daily life.  It's a very very solitary existence. I agree with the poster who asks if you've visited the Trappists.   

[Luigi]

There's also a documentary film (2009) called "Into the Great Silence." It was filmed in The Grande Chartreuse in France. I haven't watched it, but I'm sure it would provide some information and insights. 

[parvulus]

On 4/11/2026 at 5:31 AM, Lou said:

I wonder if you've ever visited the Trappists? More solitude than the Benedictines for sure, more liturgy in common that the Carthusians. This is oversimplfying it and I don't know where you are based, but maybe check out Gethsemani in Kentucky or Mepkin Abbey.

I am not from the USA. I do not have any attraction to the Trappists, maybe the Trappists of old but not today.

 

On 4/15/2026 at 4:09 AM, GraceUk said:

Have you come across this book, called 'when Silence Speaks' written by Tim Peeters. Its about the Carthusian order and gives a lot of information about the charism and daily life.  It's a very very solitary existence. I agree with the poster who asks if you've visited the Trappists.   

Yes I have read it, have you? What did you enjoy about it?

I have been interested in the Carthusians for 3-4 years now and have read quite a bit about them. You say its a very very solitary existence, perhaps I am saying from ignorance but I do not find solitude with God to be a bad thing, I am drawn too it which is the primary motivation for pursuing them. During my time as a benedictine I found that the vowel and life freed me but then the constant community noise of meals, recreation and talking throughout the day kept drawing me away from God in a way that seemed contrary to my own personal soul/grace/charism? I could see all the good that was being done but I genuinely felt that it was not doing me good because I am called/made for less.

On 4/15/2026 at 4:52 AM, Luigi said:

There's also a documentary film (2009) called "Into the Great Silence." It was filmed in The Grande Chartreuse in France. I haven't watched it, but I'm sure it would provide some information and insights. 

Yes I did watch it recently but it was not as interesting as I thought it might be but at the same it was exactly what I imagined; to be honest I dont want to watch the life I want to live it and I know living it is where the grace is and what I need to experience in order to gain further clarity.

There is also a 3 episode series about the Korean Chaterhouse on youtube, have you seen it? I remember watching it before leaving for the benedictines thinking "I wish i could do that but its ok, I will settle for this" well it seems God did not want me to settle.

 

 

[Luigi]

3 hours ago, parvulus said:

Yes I did watch it recently but it was not as interesting as I thought it might be but at the same it was exactly what I imagined; to be honest I dont want to watch the life I want to live it and I know living it is where the grace is and what I need to experience in order to gain further clarity.

There is also a 3 episode series about the Korean Chaterhouse on youtube, have you seen it? I remember watching it before leaving for the benedictines thinking "I wish i could do that but its ok, I will settle for this" well it seems God did not want me to settle.

I have not heard of the series about the Korean Charterhouse, but I can look it up on YouTube. Thanks for the information. 

It sounds to me like you're ready to contact the two English-speaking Charterhouses and start asking them questions. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!