The foundation of the Carmel of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Therese was initiated by Mrs. Emilie Thorn King Post, the great-granddaughter of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. Born in the same year as St. Therese, 1873, she became a Catholic in 1900. In Compiegne, France, Emilie met the Carmelite Nuns. She moved to Lisieux in 1924 and became friends with Therese’s blood sisters. She returned to America in 1927 and offered her Manor house, Stoneleigh, at 61 Narragansett Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island for a new Carmel. After three years of communication and efforts by Mrs. Post, Father General William of St. Albert, and Bishop William Hickey of Providence, the Carmel of New Orleans, LA agreed to found it. Traveling two nights by train, three sisters arrived in Providence on a rainy day in May, 1930, with faith in their hearts and $60 in their purse. On May 17, 1930, the fifth anniversary of Therese’s canonization, the first Mass was celebrated at Stoneleigh. Later, Sr. Cyril of the Virgin Mary (Margaret Haggerty), Sr. St. John of the Cross (a choir novice), Mother Angela Teresa of the Immaculate Conception (Anna Kerin) and Sr. Agnes of the Precious Blood (Sarah Mary Dougherty) were the building stones of the Foundation. Times were difficult; burdened with ill health and lack of vocations the Sisters bought train tickets to return to New Orleans. Yet, they felt they could not leave!
Members increased in the early 1950s. Bishop Russell J. Mc Vinney generously offered a site in Barrington 20 miles south of Providence and built a monastery overlooking Narragansett Bay. Eighteen members moved there on September 24, 1957. After Vatican II, Sr. Margaret immersed herself in the documents and led the sisters in prayerful discernment and renewal. At her initiative, the New England Carmels and Bronx, NY, began to meet and share with each other. This small group readied us for a larger outreach and the future creation of Carmelite Communities Associated.
Teresa of Jesus, Reformer of Carmel, laid the foundation stones of love of one another, detachment and humility for her communities, a life based on the Gospel. The essentials of our life remained the same, as we updated our structures. As a contemplative Order in the Church, we witness to the deep desire, acknowledged or not, of every human being to adore, praise and be united with the One Who is Love, who brings all humankind and creation into communion in Jesus the Christ. Prayer is our ministry for the Church and the World – the whole Body of Christ. Teresa brought an apostolic dimension to prayer that is fleshed out by the life of Therese. “…. in the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be LOVE”.
The Discalced Carmelite community in Barrington served the Diocese of Providence for 90 years. We were blessed in many ways; the people appreciated the presence of our prayer ministry and the space available for prayer, celebration of the Liturgy and the meetings of our Carmelite Secular Order. The bond of love with our friends and benefactors was tangible. Our priests served us like brothers – generously. Through the years we experienced Bishops who were kind, thoughtful and helpful.
Due to lack of vocations, aging, infirmities of mind and body and eventually death, we decreased in number which made our move inevitable. We were 11 sisters and most of us required varied assistance. Each one’s needs were met, though we are scattered in different states. Since we moved, two of our sisters have died. Those of us remaining keep in touch by phone, computer, snail mail and Prayer.
Contact Information: Sr. Susan Lumb OCD, 370 Hemenway Str. #416 Marlborough, MA 01752