Enclosure is a foreign concept to many people but it is essential to the Carmelite contemplative life. Enclosure is an exterior means to help foster an inner reality and is not an end in itself. Rather, it provides us with a sacred space which allows us to accept Jesus' invitation, come to an out of the way place and rest awhile. By removing distractions, enclosure helps us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

Silence is also necessary to nourish a life of prayer. People today are constantly bombarded by noise and we strive here to cultivate an atmosphere of silence. Enclosure and silence are not for those trying to escape the world but for those running to meet God. In God, we find the world and carry it in our prayer.

Prayer has no boundaries and transcends the confines of time and space. We remain in one place but our prayer, like sound waves, echoes to the furthest ends of the earth. St. Therese is a wonderful example of such prayer. She died at age 24, a Carmelite Nun, yet her heart and spirit were too large to be contained within convent walls. Her desire was to serve the Church and she became a missionary of prayer. This cloistered nun is now co-patroness of the Missions along with St. Francis Xavier!