History:

             The Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family traces its roots from Carmel of St. Anne in Seville, Spain which was canonically erected on July 26, 1594.  Eight nuns from the monastery of St. Anne, invited by late Msgr. Manuel P. del Rosario (the first bishop of the Diocese of Malolos), started the purely contemplative life in the Diocese on December 11, 1966 with the inauguration of the temporal house and papal enclosure in 1 Zamora, Meycauayan, Bulacan.  The Parish Priest of St. Francis, Poblacion, Meycauayan, then, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Felix C. Sicat, was delegated by Bishop Del Rosario to look after the needs of the group – a task which he undertook with a truly paternal zeal.

            With God’s providence, the community transferred to the definitive monastery in the compound of the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Guiguinto, Bulacan on October 3, 1971, then the feast of St. Thérése of the Child Jesus.

            Our apostolate as contemplative nuns was very much appreciated by the faithful.  We serve as powerhouse of prayer, a silent witness and an animator of church activities on both parochial and diocesan level. 

            The Lord on His part seemed to be very pleased in sending vocation to our community which enabled us to have foundations in other dioceses. 

In  1983 – Carmel of Our Lady of Nazareth (Diocese of Cabanatuan)

      1992  - Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

                              (Diocese of Alaminos)

      2001 – Carmel of Mary, Star of the Sea (Diocese of Antipolo)

                            (Foundation of the Federation, 4 nuns were sent)

      2001 – Mater Carmeli Monastery ( Diocese of Tarlac)

            We also gave life to the flourishing group of Tertiaries:  lay, priests and seminarians who live the Carmelite spirituality in the framework of their priestly or secular vocation.

            At present, we are being asked to send some of our sisters to monasteries in Spain.  Last January 2013 we have commissioned one of our sisters to Granada, Spain to meet their pressing need.  We are now 22 in the community:  20 solemnly professed, 2 simple professed.

 

Founder:  Carmelite Monastery of St. Anne in Seville, Spain 

 

Date Founded:  July 26, 1594

 

Charism:  Carmelite Charism – Contemplation (prayer, fraternity, service)

 

Date Founded in the Philippines:  December 11, 1966

 

VISION-MISSION: 

 

       In allegiance to Jesus Christ, we give witness to the presence of God  and to our communion with the Church through our cloistered Carmelite life by:

• focusing on the essentials of our Carmelite life (contemplation, conversion and living the vows)

• building the community by developing positive attitudes and by cooperating with the will of God through community decisions and community acts.

• intensifying our sense of mission by participating in the new evangelization through offering every service appropriate to our monastic life for the Church and for the world.

 

Number of Professed Members: 21

Number of Deceased Members: 3

Missionary to the Monastery in Granada, Spain: 1