This is a place of seclusion, contemplation, and prayer. A place where nuns rarely step into the outside world, only speak when necessary, and devote six hours each day to praying for the needs of the world. The Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary monastery, located in the city of Holladay, is home to 11 cloistered nuns who live financially independent of the Catholic diocese and rely primarily on charitable alms to cover their food and expenses. For this reason, the monastery opens its gates in September for the Carmelite Fair, a daylong event that attracts thousands of visitors each year.  

According to Mother Therese, Prioress of the Holy Family, Carmelite Fair donations provide 80% of the monastery’s yearly income. More than 150 volunteers serve on fair committees to support the event. 

Many professionals, including engineers, attorneys, and business owners, dedicate their time to chairing various committees. Chris Bertram, the chairperson for the fair, served as the Chief of Police in Holladay until his retirement in 2015. After retiring, he took on a more active role as chairperson. Volunteer Mary Solak served as the silent auction chairperson for over 16 years. Solak and her committee assembled more than 250 gift baskets to be auctioned off each year. This year, she will be creating and running the many games that will be offered, including the popular ‘Rubber Duck River.” 

“No one will ever know how hard our volunteers work,” Mother Therese said. “Every day we look out our windows and see either Mary’s car or another volunteer’s car parked in front of the monastery. It is really unbelievable how many hours our volunteers donate to the fair each year all for the love of the nuns.”  

The sisters lead cloistered lives, leaving the monastery only for medical reasons, which eliminates visits to the grocery store. Their limited contact with the outside world requires the cloistered nuns to rely heavily on donations of food and goods, to be provided in part by community members. Often these supporters press the bell to the monastery to deliver fresh produce, which the sisters then prepare for storage, either on the shelf or in the freezer. Additionally, members of the Holladay community provide support to the nuns by tending the monastery grounds with meticulous care and love. 

“I would like to give thanks to God. We are so grateful to be in the state of Utah. It really is home to us,” Mother Superior Therese said. “We love Utah and we love the people. We wouldn’t be able to survive without the generous support everyone provides for us.  It’s not us the community is serving. It is God.” 

The holy family receives prayer requests from all over the world, usually asking for a prayer for a sick family member or a world crisis.

Seven times a day, when the monastery bell rings, the sisters step away from their work to pray and to meditate. Dressed in full habit, the sisters gather for prayer each morning at 5:25 am. Mother Therese says, “It’s is a holy vocation and honor to offer daily prayers for all of God’s children. We want everyone to know that we will continue to be faithful in our vocation and offer love and support to you through our unceasing prayers.”  

In between the calls to prayer, the sisters participate in a balanced life including meal preparation, work, recreation, and fair preparation, which is a tremendous and a yearlong process. Each evening, after the supper dishes are dried and put away, the sisters spend time embroidering the highly sought-after linens and crocheting and knitting craft items. 

This year’s fair will include an outdoor cafeteria with a selection of Mexican, Asian and Bosque foods as well as hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream.  Entertainment will be provided throughout the day featuring Bosque and Greek Dancers and The Utah Scottish Pipe Band. 

One of the most exciting features at the fair this year will be the Grand-Give-Away Vehicle, a black, automatic AWD, SUV, 2025 Kia Sportage, donated by Jerry Seiner Kia. Hundreds of the nuns' famous silent auction baskets will go to the highest bidder, and unique items such as a Yellowstone script signed by legendary actor Kevin Costner will be available for purchase during the live auction.

A Holladay cultural tradition, The Carmelite Fair is a bit of heavenly happiness, offering something for the entire family and a charitable daylong event to be sure to attend. 

The line-up for Carmelite events:

Sunday, Sept. 21, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm The Carmelite Fair, Carmelite Monastery (5714 Holladay Boulevard). There will be limited parking near the monastery. Shuttle service will be available in the community at four different locations. For shuttle information, visit: www.carmelslc.org/carmelite-fair/. Shuttle pick-up starts at 10:30 am.

Friday, August 29, 8:00 am to 9:00 am, 13th Annual Golf for the Nuns Tournament, Old Mill Golf Course. For tournament information, visit: [email protected] or call the monastery (801) 277-6075

Sunday, Sept. 21, 8:00 am to 9:00 am 12th Annual 5K “Run for the Nuns” - Race for Grace: Walk/Run. The start and finish line will be at the Carmelite Monastery. The race is open to all age levels and fitness abilities. For race information, visit: www. [email protected]

For more information about the Carmelite Fair visit:  www.carmelslc.org/carmelite-fair/

For questions about how to become a volunteer visit: [email protected]

To make a donation to the Carmelite Monastery of Salt Lake visit their website at: [email protected]