Prayer and Progress: A Contemplative Community Completes A Major Renovation

Founded in 1790, the Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore were the first community of religious women established in the original thirteen states. Over two hundred years later, they remain a vibrant, dynamic group, wholly committed to a life of solitary and communal prayer. As a contemplative community, the Carmelites are always available to pray with or for anyone who asks. Prayer requests are received through letters, e-mails, phone calls, or in person. Their outreach ministry includes spiritual direction, personal retreats, prayer and study groups, and even lecture series on scripture, theology and the Carmelite traditions. On Sundays, they welcome an average of 130-150 people to worship with them in their public chapel.

The Baltimore Carmelites are fortunate to be growing and have had a new member join their community for each of the last six years. Currently, they have eighteen members, ranging in age from 36 to 90. The multi-generational aspect of their community means that the gifts of enthusiasm and energy offered by the younger members are balanced by the wisdom, grace and experience of the older ones. Even amidst these blessings, the Carmelites, like many religious institutes, struggled with the dual challenges of meeting the needs of elderly members while planning for the future. Among their greatest concerns was a growing inability to care for elderly and infirm sisters at their aging residence.

The Carmelite monastery is located on 27 acres in Towson, Maryland, just outside of Baltimore. Although the community moved to this site in 1961, parts of their residence date back to 1927. Because of their commitment to contemplative outreach, priority was given to renovating the public spaces first. Thus the monastery's chapel and public or east wing were refurbished in the early 1990's. Their own residence, the private west wing, received only repairs and maintenance as needed. Consequently, the kitchen consisted of appliances that were dangerously outdated. The tile floor in the kitchen/dining area was severely cracked and hazardous in places, and the paint was peeling off the walls. Steep, narrow stairwells made it difficult for older sisters to move freely about the residence. Moreover, the Carmelites endured steamy Baltimore summers with no air conditioning. The lack of air conditioning in their rooms, or cells, was particularly problematic for older sisters and those with respiratory ailments. Clearly, their residence needed some attention.

In June 2002, the community began planning for what they initially thought would be a modest renovation of the kitchen and dining areas. They wanted to fix the dilapidated tile floor, take care of the peeling paint and modernize the appliances. Air conditioning would have to be added a later time. Once work on the project began though, it became apparent that any renovation would first have to address serious and pervasive deficiencies in structural, electrical and mechanical systems. The project quickly blossomed into a major renovation that, for reasons of safety, had to be undertaken immediately.

The residential wing received a complete overhaul. All the electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems were refitted. Portions of the existing structure had to be torn down or rebuilt. All hazardous materials, including asbestos, were removed. The roof was replaced and insulation was put in the walls and ceilings. The dining room and kitchen were refurbished, and smoke detectors were networked through each cell. To enhance handicapped access, a small elevator was installed, and air conditioning was added to the entire west wing.

A renovation of this magnitude presents obstacles for any community, but for a contemplative group, the process can be especially challenging. On a daily basis, each member of the community is required to engage in solitary, communal and liturgical prayer, contemplative reading and study, and public outreach. So while the chapel was still accessible for group prayer, finding a place to pray or read quietly was difficult. On a practical level, they had to deal with noise and endless amounts of dust. There were days with no heat or plumbing, and meals had to be cooked in the small guest kitchen or on an outside grill.

Prayer is what sustains the Carmelites, however, so the sisters found creative ways to maintain their contemplative lifestyle. They established quiet zones in other areas of the residence where sisters could make their two hours of daily personal prayer. They continued to conduct their public prayer ministry, and they made sure the formation process for their newer members proceeded on schedule. The Carmelites were fortunate to receive support from many friends and benefactors, especially their Sunday congregation, who even delivered meals for them. Most importantly, the sisters worked together to keep a cheerful, positive attitude toward the project.

Now that the renovation is complete, the entire community feels it was well worth their sacrifices. The new kitchen is bright and airy, furnished with modern appliances, and meets necessary fire and life-safety guidelines. The dining room floor is no longer a hazard, and improved handicap access throughout the residence means that older members can participate more fully in community life. The Carmelites feel blessed that their dwelling is a safe, comfortable home for their elderly sisters, and they rest assured that their younger members will be able to practice their particular charism for years to come. The experience has drawn them closer as a community, and the renovated residence provides a place of peace and solitude where they can live out their vocation.

For the Carmelites, undertaking the renovation was truly a leap of faith. The community is grateful for the financial and moral support they received from NRRO. Sister Constance Fitzgerald, OCD, the prioress, remarked, "It is a source of enormous encouragement to the community that NRRO supported our project, not only because of our great need but also because they appreciated our efforts to create a contemporary contemplative community. They understood that the strength of its Carmelite identity and the health and vitality of its life were the fruit of fidelity to a very long and serious process of renewal. Our older members and even our six members in formation feel they are valued by NRRO. "

Remarkably the community has raised, through grants, bequests, privation donations, and their own contributions, nearly ninety percent of the roughly $1.8 million cost of the project. And while they are concerned about their ability to pay off the remaining loan, they are hopeful that, as with all things, they will find an answer through prayer.


NRRO Staff
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Executive Director

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