The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles is a
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
religious institute of the
Carmelite Order founded by Mother
Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is based in
Alhambra, California
Alhambra (, , ; from "Alhambra") is a city located in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately eight miles from the Downtown Los Angeles civic center. It was incorporated on July 11 ...
, a suburb of
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
.
About the Carmelite Sisters
The way of life of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles is rooted in the Gospel, the Church, and the spirituality of Carmel as lived out through the
charism
A spiritual gift or charism (plural: charisms or charismata; in Greek singular: χάρισμα
''charisma'', plural: χαρίσματα ''charismata'') is an extraordinary power given by the Holy Spirit."Spiritual gifts". ''A Dictionary of the ...
of their foundress, Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Their mission statement is three-fold: "Educating for Life with the Mind and Heart of Christ” in schools; being “At the Service of the Family for Life” through eldercare; and “Fostering a Deeper Spiritual Life” through individual and group retreats.
History
In the 1920s during the revolution and
religious persecution in Mexico, Mother Luisita established schools, hospitals, and orphanages despite being scrutinized by the government. "As the fictional women in ''The Handmaid’s Tale'' are forced to wear their garb, the real religious women of Mexico were threatened with death for wearing theirs." The very persecution which sought to destroy her work only spread it to another land when Mother Luisita and two companions entered the United States (incognito) as religious refugees on June 24, 1927, the feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus ( la, Cor Jesu Sacratissimum) is one of the most widely practised and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of "God's boundless and passionate love for mankind". This dev ...
.
[Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Se]
Timeline
1920's, 1927 etc. They established roots in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The community has grown since its humble beginnings with 3 sisters in 1927. Today, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles has grown to 143 professed sisters.
Apostolic Work
Although most Carmelites are cloistered nuns, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles are an active community combining the contemplative charism of Carmel and bringing this spirit out to the world through services in elder care, education and retreat work. They carry out this work at 13 sites located in the states of California, Arizona, Colorado and Florida, serving tens of thousands of people yearly.
Elder Care
Santa Teresita - established 1930 (Skilled Nursing & Assisted Living)Marycrest Manor - established 1956 (Skilled Nursing)Avila Gardens - established 2000 (Independent Living)
Retreat Work
Sacred Heart Retreat House - established 1941St. Joseph's Conference and Evangelization Center
Education
Child Care Centers
Little Flower Educational Child Care Center - established 1929Hayden Child Care Center - established 1958
Elementary schools
*(formerly
Saint Joseph (La Puente, CA)Saint Philomena (Carson, CA)Holy Innocents (Long Beach, CA)Loretto School (Douglas, AZ)St. Theresa (Coral Gables, FL)Saints Peter and Paul (Wheat Ridge, CO)
High schools
Coleman F. Carroll High School (Coral Gables, FL)JSerra High School (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
Carmelite Saints
*
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
* Saint
Teresa of Avila
Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name.
It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or rea ...
* Saint
John of the Cross
John of the Cross, OCD ( es, link=no, Juan de la Cruz; la, Ioannes a Cruce; born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez; 24 June 1542 – 14 December 1591) was a Spanish Catholic priest, mystic, and a Carmelite friar of converso origin. He is a major figu ...
* Saint
Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
* Saint
Teresa of Los Andes
* Saint
Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Sources
Written by the Sisters
Moments of Grace True Stories in the Lives of the Carmelites Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. (2015)
Spirit of Carmelpublished print newsletters (online: 2014-2020)
Written by others
* Caterine, Darryl V. (2001). Conservative Catholicism and the Carmelites: Identity, Ethnicity, and Tradition in the Modern Church. Indiana University Press.
References
External links
Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles - Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
1920s establishments in California
Carmelite Order
Alhambra, California
History of women in California