Carmelo San Giuseppe di Lodi
The monastery of the Discalced Carmelites of Lodi, in Lombardia (Italy), is a contemplative community welcoming young women who wish to live a Christian spiritual retreat in an atmosphere of silence, prayer, and recollection.
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The monastery of the Discalced Carmelites of Lodi, in Lombardia (Italy), is a contemplative community welcoming young women who wish to live a Christian spiritual retreat in an atmosphere of silence,prayer, and recollection.
History of Carmel San Giuseppe de Lodi in Lombardia
Founded in 1967 by nuns from the Carmel of Legnano, this monastery is rooted in the tradition of the Carmel.
Since its founding, the community has led a contemplative life, withdrawn from the world yet deeply rooted in the life of the local Church.
The monastery was founded in 1967. The first nine nuns arrived from the Carmel of Legnano to give birth to the new monastic community. On June 18, the monastery was solemnly inaugurated. A large crowd witnessed the moment when the Blessed Sacrament was placed in the tabernacle; then, on June 26, the bishop formally established the enclosure.
Since then, the nuns have lived their contemplative life peacefully, withdrawn from the world, while remaining well integrated into diocesan life, esteemed and appreciated by the faithful.
The Carmel of Lodi is situated along the Via Emilia, at the point where the city gradually gives way to open land. On the north side of the monastery, one can contemplate the surrounding countryside and, on clear days, catch a glimpse of the Lombard Alps.
Built in the 1960s, the monastery features a sober and simple architecture, well integrated into the local landscape.
Living a Christian spiritual retreat in Lodi
The monastery offers spiritual retreats in solitude, with the possibility of participating in the monastic offices, which mark the rhythm of the day.
Guests may experience:
- times of deep silence
- personal prayer
- spiritual guidance
- meetings in the parlor.
An immersion in monastic life is also possible as part of a vocational discernment process.
Accommodation at the monastery in Lombardia
The monastery offers simple hospitality:
- individual or shared rooms
- spaces for prayer
- meals served in silence.
Meals are passed through a traditional system called a "turn," allowing for discreet service without direct contact.
A setting conducive to a spiritual retreat in Italy
Located in Lodi, the monastery enjoys a peaceful environment between city and countryside.
Nearby:
- the Adda River
- the Adda Sud Park
- the Lodi Cathedral
- the church of the Incoronata.
The surroundings of the monastery
The slender, austere bell tower of the Carmel church, visible from afar, stands like a sign pointing toward heaven. It reminds passersby that those who live in this place seek above all the realities of what is above, the Absolute, and devote themselves entirely to the service of God. It also invites one to lift one's gaze toward heaven and recalls the primacy of God.
A few kilometers from the city stands the ancient abbey of Abbadia Cerreto, now uninhabited but open to visitors. About fifteen minutes from Lodi, it is also possible to visit the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles of Lodi Vecchio, a former center of ecclesial life in the region.
