For Contemplative Life
The ceaseless quest for God in solitude is like an exodus into the desert. God draws and guides us there in order to speak to our heart (Hos. 2:16) Under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, many have responded to Christ's invitation to his disciples (Mk. 6:31) and have retired to solitude where they adore the Father and listen to his word. They have chosen the one thing necessary the better part, and it will not be taken from them. (Lk. 10:39-42) (Const. No. 105)
The institutes which are wholly consecrated to the contemplative life of cloistered solitude, hold a distinguished place in the Mystical Body of Christ; for they offer a singular sacrifice of praise to God, they enrich God's people with the choicest fruits of their sanctity, they encourage it by example, and they extend it by their mysterious apostolic fruitfulness. (Const. No. 106)
This kind of life imitates Christ "in contemplation on the mountain". It shares in his paschal mystery, because it is a dying for the sake of rising again. Furthermore, in a special way, it fulfills the contemplative vocation of the Church as Bride which it reveals for all to see. For the Bride, hidden with Christ in God, always seek the things of above, while she keeps watch for the final manifestation of the Lord (Col. 1:1-4). (Const. No. 106)
Teresian Enclosure
Holy Mother Teresa, from the beginning of her reform, chose the enclosed life as both an expression and a means of following Christ, according to the evangelical counsels, in the original contemplative vocation of Carmel. She did this in order to combat spiritually for the glory of the Lord on behalf of his Church. (Const. No. 107)
Benefits
According to St. Teresa, the freely-chosen life of enclosure brings about a radical detachment from exterior things that leads to interior detachment, and it involves a life of silence and solitude ordered toward finding in the Spouse the living water of contemplation. It is also a great aid for reaching holy liberty of spirit, in a joyful experience of sisterly union in Christ, of those who are "alone with him alone." (Const. No. 107)
Teresian enclosure's purpose and requirements continue to be valid. They are consistent with radical Christian discipleship and with evangelical self-denial. They safeguard the freedom and harmony of community life and so foster the full gift of self to God in contemplative life for the Church. (Const. No. 108)
Papal Enclosure
In conformity with their contemplative vocation, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns are obliged to observe Papal enclosure, that is, enclosure according to the laws established by the Apostolic See and by the present Constitutions which contain the fundamental norms of their proper law. (Const. No. 109)
Boundary
The law of papal enclosure extends to all the residential spaces of the nuns, including the gardens and orchards reserved to them. The boundaries of the area subject to the law of enclosure will be fixed in a way that constitutes a material separation that protects the privacy and recollection proper to a Teresian community. Apart from the safety exits which may be prescribed by civil law, this fixed separation must prevent people from coming in or going out. The doors for entering and leaving the enclosure are to be locked with a key. (Const. No.110)
The material separation between the choir reserved to the nuns and the church will be made by means of a grille of solid material. It is to be arranged in such a way that the nuns can see the altar, the tabernacle and the ambo, so that they may participate better in liturgical celebrations. An opening is to be made in the grille, or some other place in the sanctuary, which is large enough for distributing communion to the nuns. A suitable place must be chosen for confessions. It must be provided with a fixed grille. (Const. No.111)
In the parlors, the separation will be made by means of a fixed grille of solid material. Holy Mother wished them to be an expressive sign of separation from the world and of forgoing the most cherished human things. (Const. No.112)
In order to pass necessary things from the enclosure to the outside and vice-versa, turns will be installed according to the tradition of the Order. Where the particular needs of the monastery require it, the Superior General, by a special concession of the Apostolic See, may authorize the use of another means that is more functional. (Const. No.114)
Entering and Leaving
In virtue of the law of enclosure, the nuns, the novices and the postulants must live within the boundaries of the monastery set apart by enclosure. It is not permitted for them to go out except in the cases foreseen in universal law and in the present Constitutions.
This law also prohibits anyone else from entering within the bounds of the monastery's enclosure, except in the cases listed in universal law and in these Constitutions.
Nuns who leave the enclosure and other persons who enter it will spend only as much time there as is necessary. They will not allow themselves to become involved in other things besides that for which they left or entered the enclosure. (Const. No. 115)
Parlor and Means of Communication
Care will be taken that visits to the parlor serve for mutual edification in truth and in charity so that the persons who go there may derive benefit for their life. However visits must not be allowed to disturb community life or harm the recollection proper to a contemplative life. Nor must they take place at a time that should be spent in prayer and work.
In making use of means of communication, due discretion and sobriety will be observed. Everything that can harm the contemplative life and sisterly union is to be avoided. (Const. No. 120)