Whilst London continues to adjust to life in isolation, Notting Hill's Carmelite nuns have long lived a quiet and recluse existence in the background of North Kensington's eclectic community.

Only a stone's throw away from Portobello Road, the nuns of the Carmelite Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in St Charles Square observe a life of poverty, chastity and obedience which sees them maintain silence for most of the day, live without radio or TV and rarely leave the monastery, except to visit the doctor or the dentist.

In 2010, filmmaker Michael Whyte, released a film going behind the monastery's 22 foot wall to reveal the lives of these nuns. The film, called No Greater Love, took ten years of correspondence before Mr Whyte could get the green light from the nuns.

However in the highly acclaimed film, Mr Whyte was able to show the remarkable lives of the nuns which involves waking up at 5:20am each day, making six million altar breads every year for churches in the Westminster Diocese, and country dancing as a part of recreation.

In an interview with Diocese of Westminster, Sr Luke, the bursar said it's a "misconception" that the nuns are withdrawn, and although they don't have TV or radio, they're often first to hear of disasters or conflicts because people call asking for prayers.

The monastery was established in 1878 by French Carmelite nuns and has since survived two world wars. In a bid to share more of God online, the nuns launched a website, podcast and Youtube channel which features solemn profession as well as "scenes from a monastery garden."

The monastery takes after Gothic architecture
The monastery takes after Gothic architecture

On their website, the Carmelite nuns outline their way of life as a call "to live quietly, against the background noise of the city; to live simply and sparingly in an increasingly wasteful age; to live hidden and unnoticed in a competitive society; above all, to live lovingly and generously in an aggressive and violent world."

Carmelite spirituality is predominantly contemplative and born in the hermit tradition nurtured by famous Spanish mystics, St Teresa of Jesus and St John the Cross. They add on their website:

"In her contemplative prayer, the Carmelite carries the needs and hopes of every person before God, lifting the face of humanity to the Father and opening her heart to be a channel of his outpouring love for all."

With lockdown seeming indefinite, we may find ourselves taking inspiration from the West London nuns.

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