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Carthusians

(Text as at 28/08/2007 08:45:36)

*** THIS IS NOT THE LATEST VERSION OF THIS NOTE ***


(For the live version and other versions of this Note, see the tables at the end)


I'm not really justified in calling myself a former Carthusian. I was only ever a Postulant, the stage prior to the Noviciate, and that only for two weeks, though I had undertaken the 6-week long retreat in cell, which is the method used to determine whether the applicant is likely to be psychologically suited to this rather austere life. I'm convinced I was suited, and my failure to persist was not in any way the sandard one of finding the life too hard (though maybe if I'd stayed longer this sort of difficulty would have surfaced), but for doctrinal reasons. In fact, it was a great grief to me at the time to have to leave, from the aspect of the form of life, though there were many consolations.

By way of excuse, I can say that the "Carthusian Experience" was very significant for me - indeed a life-changing one - and I did have to make a few sacrifices to undertake it (giving up my job, flat and book collection) to make the trial. It was not undertaken lightly, and failing to persist (especially so quickly, having made such a song and dance about the whole thing - I'd been "searching" for a year beforehand) was somewhat embarrassing. Also, the life is so unusual that the experience, even if brief, if worth recording. But more of all this in another place (I intend jumping off points further down this page).

ParkminsterThe photo opposite is of the monastic buildings of St. Hugh's Charterhouse, near Cowfold in Sussex, otherwise known as Parkminster. The photo is really a postcard, but was sent to me in an envelope postmarked 18th April 1978 by Fr. Bernard O'Donovan, the Novice Master, along with his first letter below.

There are now several sources of information about Parkminster:-
  1. Firstly, Parkminster now has its own website (Parkminster), complete with audio-visuals. I cannot but think that, like the Carthusian order itself, the site is a strange combination of Christian wholesomeness larded with some Roman Catholic excess. I also think the website betrays too much of an accommodation to the modern world, though I understand that some of the austerity at the time I was there may since have been relaxed. Even so, how can you advertise without distortion a life that is essentially unchanged since the 11th century with such a flashy website?
  2. Secondly, here's a Sunday Times article and scary photo from 1981, briefly describing the situation at Parkminster. Unsurprisingly not much had changed from when I was there a couple of years earlier.
  3. Thirdly, for some more fascinating information on Carthusians, follow this link (Link). Note that this website is the responsibility of another former Carthusian, not me. Interestingly, the website contains a little note from Fr. Bernard O'Donovan, the then Prior of Parkminster (he was the Novice Master in my day). This website is much more spiritual than anything I have to say at the moment.
  4. Finally, there are two books that contain mostly second-hand information about Parkminster, though based on interviews with those having first-hand knowledge. From my first-hand perspective, they seem remarkably accurate.

I have very fond memories of Fr. Bernard, and quite an extensive correspondence with him - extensive, that is, for interaction with the most reclusive of Orders. This splits into two parts. Letters while I was contemplating a Cartusian vocation, and then a series of somewhat disputatious letters after I left Parkminster following an evangelical conversion.

I am in the process of writing up my Carthusian experiences, and intend to make this latter correspondence available in due course. The early correspondence appears below.
Thackrah_780113This is the first letter I had in response to an enquiry. It's not overly encouraging, but I think I'd said I'd decided to go to Ampleforth, but wanted to check out the alternatives first.

For my reminiscences of Dom Guy Thackrah, follow this link2.

I've now got round to writing up a draft of my recollections of this my first visit to Parkminster. For these, please follow this link3

Below is a letter from Fr. Bernard O'Donovan, the then Novice Master (and later Prior) following my request for a 6-week "trial in cell". This followed on from my few days in the Guest House, during which time I had had various discussions with Fr. Bernard. The letter is very warm and welcoming, and displays Fr. Bernard's enthusiasm for the life. The letter hasn't reproduced very well, so apologies if you can't read it. Here's a transcription4, with a few explanatory footnotes. The "trial in cell" refers to a six-week retreat in one of the hermitages.
ODonovan_780417_1ODonovan_780417_2
Below is another letter from Fr. Bernard. The letter has reproduced a little better than the one above, but here's a transcription5 in any case.


Bernard780510_1Bernard780510_2


For a


Live Version of this Archived Note

Date Length Title
18/12/2010 19:58:05 6730 Carthusians - Main Text

Table of the 5 Later Versions of this Note

Date Length Title
26/09/2007 20:41:17 6699 Carthusians - Main Text
23/09/2007 11:24:00 6684 Carthusians
03/09/2007 19:33:36 6490 Carthusians
28/08/2007 10:16:19 6302 Carthusians
28/08/2007 09:07:12 6066 Carthusians


This version updated Reference for this Topic Parent Topic
28/08/2007 08:45:36 561 (Carthusians) None


Summary of Notes Links from this Page

Bernard_780417 Bernard_780510 Carthusians - Fools For God Guy Thackrah Parkminster - Guest House

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Text Colour Conventions

  1. Blue: Text by me; © Theo Todman, 2026



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