We currently have 1 cell open for making a retreat. Below are some exact pictures of the cell.

We live a simple and disciplined life here at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Monastery, located in the woods near Sparta, Wisconsin is very secluded and separated from the world. We pray every day for all True Catholics, and for the conversion of sinners, along with offering up our penances in union with Jesus' Sacrifice on the Cross. In imitation of Jesus' 30 years of hidden life at Nazareth, we pray and work, doing the same kind of work that Jesus Himself spent most of His life doing.

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"Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls."
[Matthew 11:29]

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If you are a devout Catholic, and think you have a vocation, then feel free to contact us and we will try to offer you some input on how to discern a Carmelite vocation. We require a 35-day Ignatian retreat before accepting a young man as a postulant. We do not live an easy life here, please do not contact us if you are attached to comforts and pleasures of the world. Please keep in mind that our Monastery is not very old and big, and we are still setting things up. living here is still a bit on the rustic side. We do not put on retreats for Catholics who have no interest in the religious life. If you decide that you don't want to be a religious before your retreat is ended, it is possible that we might ask you to leave promptly. Also keep in mind that a religious vocation involves a lot of detachment. It does not always feel good to detach from friends, family, and earthly desires. Those who do not have a firm will to renounce these things, do not have room in their heart to consecrate themselves to God's service as a religious. The Carmelite rule does not feel like resting on pillows. Even our beds are on the hard side. Expect to give up your cell phone/devices when you come. Expect to be assigned the most humble and lowly tasks when you first come, even just for a retreat. The religious here are not allowed to communicate freely with non-religious, even with Catholic laypeople. We do not expect new postulants to be perfect before coming, but there must be a desire to be perfect and a willingness to get there, no matter how hard. Many requests will likely be turned down before a retreat is even offered. 

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Some of the qualities we are looking for in vocations are:

• Love of the Catholic Faith and of sharing it with others

• Love of Sacred Scripture

• Love of the Rosary and the Blessed Mother

• Love of silence, solitude and prayer

• Self motivated (homeschooled in a disciplined home is a big plus)

• Used to the discipline of a well-ordered home

• Spirit of obedience, or the ability to do simple or unpleasant things for the love of God, in union with Jesus' suffering on the cross. 

• Willingness to ask permission, even for small things.

• Aptitude to learn new things (ability to learn on one's own, is a big plus)

• Hatred of the world and the ability to forgo the pleasures of the world for a higher calling.

• Hatred of all sin

• Honest no matter what

• Emotionally stable

• Good sense of humor

• Ability to take correction without becoming sad or sulky

• Healthy

• Good table manners

• Not overweight

• No debts

• A love of the outdoors (is a plus in our situation).

• We are looking for a wide range of skills including household chores, mechanical work, construction, trade work, video production, website design, writing etc.​

• Not attached to relatives and friends or the world

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