The Carthusian Order was founded in 1084 by Bruno and six companions in the Chartreuse Mountains, north of Grenoble. It is one of the oldest and most austere contemplative orders in Christendom. Its rule is based on silence and solitude. The order had nearly two hundred monasteries by the early 16th century and today has about twenty worldwide. The Grande Chartreuse, located in the town of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, serves as its mother house.

The monks’ lives revolve around the large cloister, which is more than 210 meters long and leads to 35 cells. Each cell is a small house with spaces for prayer, study, and work, as well as a garden. The monks spend most of their day there.

The Carthusian monk goes to the church three times a day: at night for Matins and Lauds, in the morning for Mass, and in the afternoon for Vespers. The other services are recited in his cell. In a typical schedule, the monks rise around 11:30 p.m., and the night service begins at 12:15 a.m. The monks return to their cells between 2:15 and 3:15 a.m., then rise again around 6:30 a.m. The sung conventual Mass takes place at 8:00 a.m. The morning is devoted to reading the Bible and study.