Discalced Carmelite Communities Associated

Post-nominal letters: CCA

This collection contains the records of the Discalced Carmelite Communities Associated, which includes:

• Saranac Lake Carmel (NY)
• Barre Carmel (VT)
• Bronx Carmel/Carmel of the Incarnation (NY)
• Beacon Carmel (NY)
• Carmelite Communion

This collection is unprocessed and currently closed for research.

Founding Dates

Charism of the Discalced Carmelites

Carmelite Communities Associated (CCA) is a nationwide association of communities of Discalced Carmelite nuns formed to support one another in the deepening contemplative life in the tradition St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross in the 16th Century.  

Purposely, they live the prophetic voice of the Carmelite charism in our witness of faith and hope in the Triune God; nurture relationships among our member communities and with the Carmelite family here and abroad; collaborate to create mutual respect and practical support; recognize and honor our differences while working to strengthen our unity in diversity.

Mission

Carmelite Communities Associated expresses the contemplative life in the contemporary Church and world following the Teresian tradition as taught by St. Theresa of Avila. This spirituality seeks to foster a broader acceptance of unity in diversity and the mutuality of the Carmelite family, especially by continued collaboration, friendship and communion among associations/federations at home and abroad. Their mission is:

To continue to work at achieving a representative voice in matters affecting their lives, the Teresian charism, and the Order;

To develop and empower their members to be future leaders of and/or contributors to Carmelite Communities Associated;

To continue to provide active, mutual support to the identified needs of the communities;

And commit to finding new ways of mutually supporting our communities by implementing a Shared Services Program which will streamline and enhance the ongoing ministries.

Historical Sketch

In 1920, five foundresses traveled from their foundation in Baltimore, Maryland, to establish a site in New York City in 1920 and quickly relocated to the Bronx.  

In 1952, from the Bronx monastery was established another foundation, at Saranac Lake, New York, which closed in 1998 and merged with the sisters in Beacon, New York.

In 1968, a monastery was established in Barre, Vermont, which merged with the Saranac Lake Community in 1997 and, subsequently, was part of their merger with the sisters in Beacon.

In 1982, the Bronx Carmelite community was also relocated to Beacon, New York, to create a new community known as Carmel of the Incarnation, also referred to as the Carmelite Communion.  

Websites

Please see the official website of the Discalced Carmelite Communities Associated at CCACarmels.org