Updated Statement on the Suppressed Carmel of Philadelphia
From the foundation of the St. Joseph’s Association in 1976, the Carmelite Monastery of Philadelphia at 1400 66th Avenue was a valuable and cherished member. This Carmel and Carmelite spirituality have a special place in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, and devotion to Carmel is deeply rooted in the hearts of the faithful, going back to the foundation of the Monastery in 1902. It is widely recognized that the Philadelphia Carmel is a cradle of devotion of St. Therese in the United States. Carmelite celebrations, especially the Triduum to St. Therese every fall and the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel each summer, drew an overflowing congregation year by year. Lay people, seminarians and priests flocked to the Monastery to pray in the Chapel, to speak to the Nuns, to offer them their loving support, and they have spoken of the graces they have received from their visits.
The departure of the nuns from the Philadelphia Carmel on April 9, 2021 was a great surprise and a cause of deep sorrow to all the friends of Carmel.
All but one of the nuns at the monastery left and returned to Nebraska, leaving Mother Pia of Jesus Crucified as the only resident in the monastery.
Because a Carmelite nun cannot truly live her vocation outside of a community, Mother Pia definitively transferred to the Lake Elmo Carmel in January 2022 where we understand she is very happily integrated into the community there.
Since there is no foreseeable possibility of a community of Carmelite nuns coming to rejuvenate the monastery at 1400 66th Avenue, the Philadelphia Carmel was definitively suppressed by a Decree of the Holy See dated February 9, 2022.
By virtue of this same Decree, all the assets of the Philadelphia Carmel have been canonically transferred to the Saint Joseph's Association according to Cor Orans, n. 73: In the event of the suppression of a totally extinct monastery, when there are no surviving nuns, unless otherwise provided by the Holy See, the destination of the suppressed monastery's assets, in compliance with canon and civil law, go to the respective higher juridical person, that is, to the Federation of monasteries or to another structure of communion among the monasteries equal to it or to the female monastic Congregation. According to this Decree, the Holy See demands that the transfer be carried out under the responsibility of the Archbishop of Philadelphia.
However, Mother Pia of Jesus Crucified has labored long and devotedly to keep the Carmel open for the return of Carmelite Nuns. Mother Pia’s love for Carmel and her efforts to keep it alive as it has been over the past century are notable, but they belong to the past. Every institute comes into being, flourishes and then dies, and unfortunately the Carmel in Philadelphia, as a Carmel, has come to an end.
However, there have been unceasing prayers made on behalf of the former Carmel, and prayers lifted up to God are always heard. One spiritual author has said that God has three answers to prayers: “Yes,” “Not Yet,” and “I have a better idea.”
God has a better idea for the future of the property on 66th Ave. Whatever His idea is, we know that it is good, and it is for the glory of the Church and the well-being and salvation of the people of Philadelphia.
The Holy See has entrusted the future of the property on 66th Ave to the St. Joseph’s Association. We are humbled that we have been chosen to carry forward this mandate. We do not know what God has in store for us and for the property, but we are open to His plan, and we pledge ourselves to carry out whatever He has in mind. We ask your prayers and support in this endeavor, and we promise to do our best for all those who cherish the memory of the Carmel of Philadelphia and who look forward to seeing that place remain as a sacred site and a source of grace for the Church and the city.
The St. Joseph’s Association
April 9, 2023
