First Initiation Into Carthusian Life

by A. Carthusian

Carthusian spirituality and wisdom have a great attraction for our age. The goal of Carthusian life is union with God in Love. A union as profound and continual as is possible in this life. It has its source in God who is the first to call us to intimacy with Him. The Carthusian's life, the Carthusian's love, is a response to that Love - cultivating solitude, silence, poverty, chastity, obedience, fraternal charity, spiritual reading, study, work and, above all, prayer. Prayer of adoration, praise and intercession. This book is written as a guide to help the beginner during his first months in the Charterhouse. It is a practical introduction for the aspirant to the Carthusian life, providing guidelines of orientation to help during the first steps in solitude as well as essential themes of spiritual formation. Following the young monk, listening in complete openness to God who speaks in the depth of his heart, the reader outside the monastery can gain an insight into this powerful spirituality and the silence of a heart in love. Other books of classic Carthusian spirituality published by Gracewing include The Call of Silent Love, Early Carthusian Writings, Interior Prayer, The Prayer of Love and Silence, They Speak by Silences, The Way of Silent Love and The Wound of Love.

Genres: Religion

120 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2010

Reviews

[William Nist · Rating 4 out of 5]

The small book is meant for the Carthusian Postulant. It treats the broad issues involved with living in a Charterhouse. I especially loved the small tidbits of practical information that every new Postulant should know, like say, when walking around the cloister, you should always walk nearest the cell walls. Only when you wear walking boots (for the one a week hike), do you walk near the outside windows. This is so the inner track never gets soiled from the hike, and your regular shoes keep clean.

This book is hardly a complete manual. Slow reading like 'lexico divina' is probably best, for a lot of reflective material is packed into the pages. But it is an interesting intro to a life that few ever think about. I have to admit, this is one of my favorite religious orders, and I have the Meyer's Briggs profile to substantiate that!

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of several books on Carthusian spirituality, published by St Hugh's Charterhouse, in Parkminster, UK. This particular volume is aimed at the postulant and helping him to adjust and understand Carthusian life and life in the cell. There are two appendices; one is on the liturgy and the other describes daily Carthusian life, such as hygiene, closing doors, manual labor, etc. An excellent view of the most strict Christian monastic order.