Carthusian vs. Camaldolese

[bkeesee]

Hey everyone,
I’m going to try to not drag on too long, but I am currently having an issue in my religious discernment. I have been called to the monastic life since a very young age and in the past I felt very much called to the Cistercian/Trappist order. However, over the past year or so I feel a more profound calling to the more eremitical life. My vocations director has tried to help me discern, but I am still very tied due to the fact that I can not find much information online or otherwise as to how the Carthusians and Camaldolese differ.

If anyone can help me understand the real differences between these orders, I would be eternally grateful. In all honesty, I am leaning Carthusian and my patron saint was Saint Bruno of Cologne, but I am very curious about the Camaldolese.

Thank you all!

 

[Elf01]

I can’t say anything specific about the orders but could you visit a monastary of each for some time to learn more?

 

[otjm]

You beat me to it, as that was my thought also.

And if one or the other attracts, perhaps visiting one or two of the order might be worthwhile.

 

[Cloisters]

Camaldolese have two branches – Monte Corona and the original observance. Monte Corona is strictly Eremitical. The original observance has both the monastery/cenobium and the Laura. Monte Corona is represented by a community in Ohio. The original observance has a community in Big Sur, California. The Camaldolese are Benedictine.

The Carthusians have their own rule, and consider themselves a community with a vocation to solitude. They have a Charterhouse in Vermont.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
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http://cloisters.tripod.com/holyangels/id9.html/