Mount St Joseph Carmelite Monastery

I visited this place as a retreat of prayers through my Home Church Olop. St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery gives you a grand gorgeous view of the surrounding cities,and a peaceful heartfelt prayer place and library for Scripture learning. It was indeed a majestic feeling.

Peaceful and spiritual grounds for meditation or worship. Fabulous panoramic views of downtown San Jose and greater area. Met Father Patrick and his dog , Duke. Father was so welcoming and warm. He gave us information about services and a brief history of the monastery Loved it!

Spectacular view going on top of the hill . This was the 6th church in our itinerary of the Visita Iglesia 2017.

The church is situated on top of the hill. Fortunately the road to the top is a paved road with a
makeshift lot allotted for parking in the middle of the hill. If you would be doing the stations of the cross you would have to go down the hill and make your way up to finish all the 14 stations. It can be a feat to some as they pushed parishioners in wheel chairs as they do this. It was such a beautiful day with fresh air and nature abound as you look around the place. The church itself majestically small. I know its so oxymoronic but once you visit you'd definitely agree with me. The place is so serene and a perfect place to do some spiritual introspection.

Even though website says it only provides morning services, when we came to visit during Good Friday, there are a service. The place was small so they provided chairs outside for people to sit.

Here is the website for the service/s:

http://discalcedcarmelitefriars.com/communities/mtstjoseph.php

Tip #1: Port-a-potties are available when you get on top by the left side of the church next to a sculpted disc of the baby Jesus.

Tip #2: Check-in is a challenge. No cellular service when you get there (unless your service provider is way better than mine, hee hee!)

A must see!

If you had to pick a spot for a monastery and a quiet contemplative sojourn, this would be nearly ideal.

At the top of a hill with spectacular views, it's quiet enough that the only modern day sounds are those of planes and perhaps a car coming up the hill to get here. Otherwise it's chirping birds, buzzing bees, the flutter of hummingbirds and in the distance cows, maybe a horse, chickens, and the occasional confused rooster. The garden is landscaped for maximum effect with flowers, some potted plants, big trees, a couple of benches and a small walking path through the garden.

Inside the building, even those sounds vanish. Instead, except for the rustling noises of other people, even the air movement has no sound. Have good thoughts here. Or an issue to work through. Or center yourself. Otherwise, all that silence will scream through your head unchecked in the most deafening way.

What a place for a monastery! The place is on top of a tranquil hill, with a beautiful small church, couple of grottos, gardens and fantastic views. I love this place, so serene and peaceful, and I want to go back there for a meditation or retreat, if they hold one. I want to go there for a Mass on a Sunday too.

A beautiful place. Long ago, they had a fabulous benefit barbecue on Labor Day weekend every year. We always went to the wonderful potluck event. However, it was stopped with no explanation. We haven't made the long drive back there since then.

This is one of the most beautiful Monastery's I've been too. The views are breathtaking , the Friars & Priests inviting , The Holy Mass is awesome here what a find in the heart of Silicone Valley.