HISTORY SAINTS RETREATS BOOKS MOUNT CARMEL LINKS

 

Oxford

Carmelite Priory
Boars Hill
Oxford, OX1 5HB
Tel: 01865 730183
Fax: 01865 326478

After taking professional advice, the community have decided to suspend residential retreats indefinitely after Easter 2007 in view of health and fire risk assessments we have had done.

Our apologies for any inconvenience we have caused but we have found this necessary in the light ot recent legislation.

 

Fr James McCaffrey, OCD.

 

 

In 1961, the Carmelite Order purchased Chilswell House (now known as Carmelite Priory), former home of poet Laureate Robert Bridges. Since then a community of Carmelite Friars has lived here a life of prayer and ministry in the spirit and tradition of Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. In addition, the Priory has always been a house of formation for members of the Order and this remains an important part of our community's life. The first year of a Carmelite's life (Novitiate) is spent praying, working and studying in the beautiful surroundings of Boars Hill.

Our life revolves around the Eucharist and several times of prayer each day: both the liturgical prayer of the Divine Office and personal silent prayer in common. Our main ministry is to welcome guests who come for a time of quiet, and all are invited to join us at prayer. It is from this life of prayer that our retreat ministry evolves.

Our hope for all who come here is that you may find an environment where God can work in your lives, that the quiet and peace will speak to your hearts and that the witness of other people of prayer and faith will give you encouragement and strength.

The Chapel, Dining Room, both Conferene Rooms and the majority of bedrooms are all on the ground floor, with no steps.

 

Pic B: Saint Therese of Lisieux

Individually Guided Retreats - Each participant meets privately with a director each day and spends the rest of the in prayer and reflection.
Private Retreats
- Many people come to the Priory for Private retreats. They join in the community's prayer, and the remaining time is for personal reflection and prayer with the possibility of some direction from a member of the community.

Pic B: Saint Therese of Lisieux: The text on the scroll reads: "I feel within me a Holy Daring"

Pic C: Saint John of the Cross Unless otherwise stated all retreats in this program are led by at least two members of the Carmelite community. At present Priests involved in retreat ministry are; Matthew Blake OCD, James McCaffrey OCD, Eugene McCaffrey OCD, Philip McParland OCD . Occasionally the Priory is made available for groups who wish to use our facilities for their own organised retreats. The main facilities available are; Chapel, Dining Room, and two conference rooms, 29 bedrooms (15 of which may be twin bedded where necessary) the majority of bedrooms are on the ground floor, with no steps, and the extensive grounds.
Pic C: Saint John of the Cross: The text on the scroll reads: "My beloved is the mountains strange islands and resounding rivers".
* Carmel Icons by Lynne Taggart
   
The Retreat Programme for 2007