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Life in Carmel follows a rhythm of prayer and work where work is understood as another way of praying. Following the example of Jesus during his earthly life, we accept generously the work that is asked of us. Besides being a form of service to one another it is also a way of giving ourselves in love.
Each sister takes her share in the various tasks of the monastery, contributing in this way to the smooth running of the whole. Some of us are engaged in soap production or our greetings cards business, others are involved in sacristan duties, looking after our guests, beekeeping or other works.
We all engage, to the best of our abilities, in the ordinary tasks necessary for the smooth running of a large monastery, including everyday tasks of a normal household such as cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening and caring for the sick. Some sisters also do creative work such as embroidery, making rosaries or writing.
“By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper.”
~ Ps 128:2
Soaps
Our handmade organic soaps contain flowers, leaves and herbs from our monastery garden or honey from our bees. Our hand balms and lip balms are made with Quidenham beeswax from the monastery hives. We are also members of the Guild of Craft Soap and Toiletry Makers.
You can buy our products from our self-service shop in our monastery church porch, where you can pay by cash or cheque payable to 'Carmelite Monastery'. We regret that we are not currently able to send orders by post.
Quidenham Cards
Part of our earned income comes from the sales generated by Quidenham Cards, our greetings cards business. A number of our card designs are produced by the community and include seasonal subjects at Christmas and Easter as well as other forms of greeting.
The sisters manage the orders, including packing and distribution, both to individual customers and to many retreat houses, churches, shops and hospitals across Britain.
“O my God, I want to work for Your glory and for that I must be wholly filled with You.”
~ St Elizabeth of the Trinity
Our Beekeeping
The monastery has been beekeeping for many years and Quidenham Honey is unquestionably a favourite purchase. Visitors to the monastery will find jars of honey available for sale in the reception area in season. It is a case of 'first come, first served' while the supplies last so choose the time of your visit carefully!
As we are not licensed to sell our honey online we cannot distribute it by post.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, O Lord, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
~ Psalm 119:103
Art & Crafts
Other products produced and sold by the community include various forms of art and craft work, including drawing, painting and icon writing. Some of our sisters are highly skilled knitters and have produced beautiful knitted toys for charitable organisations.
The hand-embroidered items of Sister Teresa Keswick, often featuring detailed studies of natural life, have given immense delight and pleasure to the customers who have commissioned them.