A shockingly well-written piece in the Salt Lake Tribune, by Jessica Ravitz on a new (as of 2003) Carmelite foundation in Wyoming. I say that because the writer does what is seemingly so hard for too many religion writers to do – she gets the lingo right. How does she do this? I don’t know, but I presume a big part of it involves actually listening carefully to what people are telling you, the words they use, and then…reporting it.

The monks enjoy the support of brotherhood, while also living the secluded, contemplative life. Their days, which begin at 4 a.m., are devoted to prayer and are primarily spent in silence. It is through this vocation, they say, that they can pray to bring others closer to God and earn for themselves sainthood – something to which they all aspire.
    They see themselves as intercessors, "a channel of grace for the entire world," Father Prior explains. By living their lives of prayer and sacrifice, they serve others. They do this because they were called to do it, because they can think of nothing better than to live their lives close to God. For this, they gladly trade in pillow-top mattresses for those made of straw. Worldly possessions and the possibilities of marrying and having children pale in comparison to what they’ve found.

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To the right, next to the furnace room, is where the monks prepare for Mass, gathering – among other items – the cruets of wine and water, the incense, all that’s needed to receive the Lord during Holy Communion; and donning the appropriate vestments (signifying where they are in their journey) over their brown, holy habits.
    The servers kiss the prior’s hands. When he was ordained as a Carmelite priest, his hands were consecrated with oil, and now when he celebrates Mass, he represents "the person of Christ," he explains later. After the hour-and-15-minute Mass, and as soon as they’ve returned everything – including the gold chalice, framed Mass cards and censure – to their proper place, the monks kneel beside the simple wooden stools that line the chapel to pray more.
    They pray for families, for children, for all shepherds of faith. They pray that others might find salvation and, as a Web site devoted to them indicates, for the end of "attacks on human life," including abortion, contraception and terrorism.

Here is said website which includes links for a chant CD and coffee, if you would like to support them.

Included in the article are sidebars on the monastery day, how to join, on Carmelites and their coffee