Our History

The Carmelite Monastery Melbourne was founded from Sydney Carmel, 22 September, 1922. This original group had come from Angouleme,  France in 1885.

The life of the discalced Nuns is contemplative in its prayer, eremitical in its spirit and monastic in its usages and liturgy of worship and divine praise.

United as a community we are a loving family, called to a life of allegiance to Christ. Each one has answered a personal call from God to follow this way of life, sharing work and prayer, strengthened in silence and solitude, growing in deeper commitment and all-embracing love which brings Christ’s love and peace to the world.

Many people come to speak and seek help in the difficulties and complexities of life and to ask for the prayers of the community.

In order to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to prayer we must respect silence within the monastery and carry out our duties in quiet and peace.

The garden and grounds serve to lift up hearts and recharge spiritual energy. Sisters who cultivate the garden take pleasure seeing the plants flourishing under their care, helping to provide essential produce for the table. To be close to nature in creation is rejuvenating and essential for restoring calm in our busy society, as creation responds and yields its fruit in generous abundance.

The black and white photo below shows an aerial view of the Carmelite Monastery  taken by Daniel Pratt on 5th January 1930. The original photo is held in the State Library of Victoria (FL15645915). 

The coloured photo depicts the centenary of the Carmelite Monastery in 2022.