All Carmelites follow the Rule of St. Albert. Prayer is the heart of our life. Each day Mass is celebrated in our chapel and we gather together seven times a day at the appointed times for the prayer of the Church - the Divine Office. As Carmelites we also spend two hours every day in silent personal prayer. Even outside of these set times for prayer our lives are spent mostly in silence and solitude, to enable our prayer to continue. Our work is arranged so that, as far as possible, each sister can work alone.

Our prayer is at the service of the Church and the world. We have close links with the local Church through the priests of York who celebrate Mass here, and the community of Carmelite friars who also live in the city. We share in the life of the local villages Thorganby and Wheldrake through contact with the people who come to Mass here. We are also involved in an ecumenical way with the local villages, especially through our annual carol service. The local Anglican communities are regular visitors and soemtimes use our chapel for worship..