PHILADELPHIA CARMEL: “The Exodus in the 70s”

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At this time, the “Winds of Change” were blowing harshly upon the Carmelites of Philadelphia. There was a divergence of outlook among the Nuns, and shortly before the Philadelphia Carmel joined the St. Joseph’s Association, there occurred what one of the survivors called “The Exodus in the 70s”: a significant number of the Nuns left the Philadelphia Carmel for other Carmels, and some of them left religious life all together. From then on, the Community struggled to maintain an adequate number of Nuns. Carmelites came from other Carmels, for shorter or longer periods of temporary transfers. Unlike Benedictines, Carmelites do not make a vow of stability which binds them to that community for life. However, on making her solemn profession a Carmelite is incardinated into her Community and it is a very special and unusual circumstance which would make her change to another Carmel. A Sister cannot be transferred without her free consent and that of the Chapters of both communities. This is always challenging. Though Discalced Carmelite communities share the same spirituality, each Carmel lives it in its unique spirit and expression. To transfer from the Community where one was formed to another, is like going from one’s birth family to live with cousins one has seldom met. This can be very bewildering, both spiritually and psychologically, both for the Sister who makes the transfer and for the community who receives her. And the close contact with one another which is the result of our enclosed contemplative life makes the challenge even greater.

The Philadelphia Carmel experienced this kaleidoscopic shifting of relationships for over 30 years. The Community never attained a measure of peaceful stability, nor did its number of members increase, in spite of nuns coming from various Carmels to keep the Carmel going. By 2012, there were only 5 Sisters in the community, one of whom was mentally impaired and unable to take part in Chapter decision.

by Sr. Gabriella of Flemington Carmel