
"we need no wings to go in search of God but have only to find a place where we can be alone and look upon God present within us."
Teresa of AvilaThe Carmelite Centre Melbourne seeks to provide a contemplative space to facilitate spiritual journeys and personal growth with many different programs and services. A distinctive characteristic of The Carmelite Way is Stillness & Silence. These regular events offer an opportunity for Stillness & Silence. Scroll down for more details:
Tuesday afternoon – weekly Prayer Meditation – via zoom 5pm-5.40pm approx.
Tuesday afternoon monthly – Centering Prayer Meditation – in person at Carmelite Library Middle Park 12.45pm
Thursday evening – weekly Meditation – in person 7pm in the Malone Room Middle Park
Friday morning – weekly Lectio Divina – via zoom 10am
Prayer Meditation
Prayer Meditation via Zoom 5.00 to 5.40pm approx.
Recurring link to join zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83489564757?pwd=a2lTeUV1ZHVZRjBJQU84NXVGcExlZz09
Passcode: 124082
Centering Prayer Meditation
Kathryn Pile will lead Centering Prayer Mediation in 2023 on the first Tuesday of the month at 12.45pm in the Carmelite Library. It runs for approx 50 minutes, and is followed by an invitation to share time together socially.
Dates for 2023 – February through December:
- February 7
- March 7
- April 4
- May 2
- June 6
- July 4
- August 1
- September 5
- October 3
- Melbourne Cup holiday
- December 5
Contact Kathryn for the monthly reminder or to inquire about the sessions. [email protected]
Centering Prayer Meditation draws on the Christian tradition of meditation from the heart centre, using themes from spiritual writing and scripture, to help us experience beyond limited intellect, the total mind we call Heart. It’s a surrender method, a practice based on letting go of thoughts as they arise to deepen a way of being in God’s Presence. deepening a relationship with God.
Centering Prayer Meditation is an invitation for all with an open heart who are seeking to bring unity and wholeness into their daily life, whether or not from a Christian background.
Watch an Introduction to Centering Prayer with Kathryn Pile here
You may like to use an app by Contemplative Outreach for your meditation at other times. You can find the app in the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store if you have an Android; search for Centering Prayer. Download here
Centering Prayer Meditation 26 July 2022
ALL WELCOME to Join Kathryn Pile Tuesdays 5pm. Zoom link below https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87892479188?pwd=c05wK0tBcVlQRTV0VVlueEpVK05Hdz09 Meeting ID: 878 9247 9188 Passcode: 401430 Dear Meditators Last week and for the next two weeks we will reflect on some thoughts...
Centering Prayer Meditation 19 July 2022
ALL WELCOME to Join Kathryn Pile Tuesdays 5pm. Zoom link below https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87892479188?pwd=c05wK0tBcVlQRTV0VVlueEpVK05Hdz09 Meeting ID: 878 9247 9188 Passcode: 401430 Dear...
Centering Prayer Meditation Winter Break – resumes 19 July
ALL WELCOME to Join Kathryn Pile Tuesdays 5pm. THERE IS NO CENTERING PRAYER MEDITATION THIS WEEK - RESUMES 19 JULY Zoom link below https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87892479188?pwd=c05wK0tBcVlQRTV0VVlueEpVK05Hdz09 Meeting ID: 878 9247 9188 Passcode: 401430
Thursday Evening Meditation
WEEKLY MEDITATION
Meditation in the Malone Room in the Carmelite Hall is held at 7pm on every Thursday.
The text of past reflections and audio meditation by Peter Thomas are added each week to the blog here. The most recent three appear below.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CONTINUE OUR WORK. DONATE TO THE CARMELITE CENTRE here
“As we go about our daily activities I hope that by being in the present, by remaining mindful we will find joy in the midst of challenging times.” Peter
Meditation 18 May 2023
Meditation for Thursday 18th May 2023 Silence in our lives offers opportunities for self-reflection and daydreaming. Silence gives us time to turn down the inner noise and increase our awareness of what matters most. Silence may have health benefits certainly in the...
Meditation 11 May 2023
Meditation for Thursday 11th May 2023 Whatever method we chose as our point of concentration for meditation it is always a practice of awareness, for example awareness to the breath. Nourishing that awareness is fundamental to our practice just as nourishing awareness...
Meditation 4 May 2023
Meditation for Thursday 4th May 2023 Concentration is the key to meditation and is also the most difficult for nearly everyone especially those new to meditation. It is after all a discipline; sustained attention, an attention which involves narrowing down so that...
Meditation is a way to assist us to live a ‘mindful’ life to enhance our day-to-day awareness by living in the present moment.
While we have been unable to meet in person, each week Peter Thomas has provided a reflection for meditation (both audio and text) which is available on the blog. the last one is Thursday 4 March as In-person gatherings will recommence on Thursday 11 March, in the Malone Room.
Meditation Groups
As there is no substitute for communal meditation its best that you seek out a meditation group that you can attend on a regular basis. The Carmelite Centre in Melbourne offers such opportunities however there are numerous groups nationwide run by Christian churches, yoga centres, Buddhist temples and numerous other organisations. If the opportunity to join a meditation group is not available or groups in your locality are unsuitable have confidence in your own ability to develop a private practice at home. The Carmelite Centre is always available to assist you with advice.
Meditation and Mindfulness Podcasts
We invite you to make use of the series of ten podcasts produced by Peter Thomas, who facilitates the usual Thursday evening meditation. They are available here.
Four-Week Meditation Program
To gain maximum benefit contact the Carmelite Centre and request The 4-Week Meditation program booklet that offers a progressive step-by-step approach to meditation and mindfulness. The booklet is available for a donation including postage. You can make a donation here
Meditation & Mindfulness Podcasts
INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION – SERIES OF TEN MODULES
Peter Thomas who facilitates the usual Thursday evening meditation has produced a series of ten podcasts available here.
Listen to each of the podcasts to gain some appreciation of the value of meditation and mindfulness to your life. Treat each episode as a ‘lesson’, as though you are doing a course in meditation. Study the questions that arise from each podcast and answer the questions supplied as best as you can.
Presenter
The presenter of this series, “Meditation & Mindfulness” is Peter Thomas, facilitator of a meditation group for over 25 years and a meditator for over 30 years. He has provided workshops and training to a range of community organisations, schools and spiritual centres. He convenes a weekly meditation group at the Carmelite Centre in Middle Park.
All music used in this series is Royalty and Copyright Free. ‘Meditation & Mindfulness’ is a podcast presentation of the Carmelite Centre Middle Park, Vic. Australia.
Friday Morning Lectio Divina 10.00 am AEDT
You are most welcome to join our virtual community on Friday mornings at 10.00am for Lectio Divina.
We offering weekly Lectio Divina reflection time on zoom. Email us to be added to those who receive the readings and notes each week by email.
The recurring zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89792352290?pwd=Wi9JUmtJQUJrQVJ3SVB6UXp3bFRlQT09
Meeting ID: 897 9235 2290
Passcode: 811610
The plan is to read privately and reflect 9.30am – 10am and then at 10am join the zoom gathering. After an opening prayer, reading the Scripture for the week, and listening to Fr David’s insights into the text, it is a time of sharing reflections. We then move into sharing personal prayers and finish with a closing prayer. Always finishes by 11;00am but you can leave at any time as needed.
Weekly Readings and Reflections
Each week Fr David Hofman, OCarm & Damien Peile provide:
Gospel: The text of the Gospel for the coming Sunday. (OT. A. means Ordinary Time in Year A of a three year cycle.)
Notes: A closer look at the reading; the liturgical setting for the particular Sunday; and an instructive reflection.
Celebrating at Home (CAH): A short liturgy including prayers and readings for use at home on Sunday.
Reading and notes from previous months can be found here. The last three weeks appear below.
Lectio Divina Ascension 19 May 2023
Scripture Reading Matthew 28: 16-20 The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in...
Lectio Divina 12 May 2023
Scripture Reading John 14: 15-21 Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever, that Spirit of truth whom the world can never receive since it neither...
Lectio Divina 5 May 2023
Scripture Reading John 14: 1-12 Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you,...


Lectio Divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by the Carmelite Rule. Carmelites practise it every day, to grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. In this way to put into practice the Apostle Paul’s commandment: “Let the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, live abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever you must do, do it in the name of the Lord.”
A group meets each Friday morning for Lectio Divina on Zoom (until further notice).
The plan is to read privately and reflect 9.30am – 10am and then at 10am join the zoom gathering. The time on zoom will be to share any reflections and prayers you have. You can leave the gathering at any time if needed. You are welcome to stay after the session finishes for a short time if you would like to catch up and share any news – ALL WELCOME.
If you are interested or have any questions please call the Carmelite Centre on 03 9690 5430 or contact us online.
Download Lectio Divina for each day of this month here.

THE CARMELITE LIBRARY OF SPIRITUALITY & MYSTICISM
Located within the Carmelite Centre precinct the Carmelite Library of Spirituality and Mysticism provides a unique resource for students of religion, theology and spirituality throughout Australia. With its wide membership which includes graduate and post-graduate students and researchers, clergy and lay people, the library is a popular resource centre for all things spiritual.
Philip Harvey (Librarian) and assistants Susan Southall and Tim Hennessy provide care and support in the Carmelite Library, home to many hundreds of books, arguably one of the largest collections of theological and spiritual books in the nation. You are most welcome to visit the Library to browse. You can also become a Library member and borrow from our extensive collection.

The Carmelite Library is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association Ltd. This Association seeks to foster the study of theology and religion by enhancing the development of theological and religious libraries and librarianship.
The Carmelite Library of Spirituality & Mysticism
Library Opening Times
Tuesday: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Thursday: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Please notes these hours different from the hours on the flyer. The flyer will be updated soon to show these extended hours.
Library Contact Details
Phone: +61 (03) 9682 8553
Fax: +61 (03) 9699 1944
[email protected]
The Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland (CIBI) Program
CIBI is a collaborative initiative of the British and Irish Provinces of Carmelites and the Angelo-Irish Province of Discalced Carmelites. CIBI is currently offering students a postgraduate programme - Master's of Theology (Carmelite Studies) accredited by St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. At under-graduate level there are three programmes available :
- Certificate in Spirituality (Carmelite Studies)
- Diploma in Spirituality (Carmelite Studies)
- Baccalaureate in Theology (Carmelite Studies)
The Discovering Carmelite Certificate Programme is an initial level programme offering a foundation in various aspects of Carmelite studies. For more information, please visit the CIBI website.