The Carthusian Vocation:
“To devote oneself to silence and the solitude of the cell.”
The “cell” is a small house with a garden, located within the cloister. It is where the essential aspects of a Carthusian monk’s or nun’s life take place.
This hermitage is a place for personal prayer, reading, study, meals, rest, and manual work.
The Order’s Statutes describe the cell as:
“The holy ground, the place where God and His servant engage in frequent dialogues, as friends do. Here, the faithful soul often unites with the Word of God, the bride with the Bridegroom, earth with Heaven, the human with the divine.”
The Carthusian Retreat
This type of retreat closely follows the Carthusian way of life.
It requires prior experience with silent retreats.
You will stay in a cloister cell, which will be the main setting for your retreat: meals, rest, personal prayer, and reading all take place there.
Daily life is structured around the Church’s prayer times (Liturgy of the Hours), personal prayer, and Sunday Eucharist. You will join the church for Lauds, Vespers, and Mass. For fresh air, the cell’s garden is available to you, and the surrounding countryside offers beautiful walks. If you wish, you may also engage in some manual work, such as gardening or other tasks.
Spiritual guidance is available.
Entering into silence and solitude takes time. A minimum of three days is required. If you wish to stay longer, the length of your stay will be arranged at the time of registration.
The Chartreuse de Sélignac will be pleased to welcome you in 2025.
Winter / Spring
From Tuesday, March 4, to Friday, April 25, 2025 Information/Inscription
Summer / Autumn
From Monday, June 30, to Monday, December 1, 2025 Information/Inscription
