Carmel in the Holy Land — The Carmelite Fathers

Jerusalem — Notre Dame Centre

In March 1935, the Order acquired in Jerusalem a fairly large piece of land, in the area called Baka'a, which at that time was inhabited mainly by Christian families. A house was built there destined for a biblical-theological study house for the Order. Many young friars studied there until 1940, when the English military authorities took over the house for their administration.

Then, in 1948, when the British occupation came to an end, the house did not revert into the hands of the Carmelites: the newly born State of Israel took it over for the use of the Jewish Agency, at first to receive new immigrants, then to establish an ulpan (an intensive course in Hebrew destined mainly, but not exclusively, for new immigrants). To this day it is still used for the same purpose. Admittedly, the ownership of the house as such is still invested in the Order, nevertheless getting the house back to establish a community there would be problematical, compounded by the fact that the nature of the suburb has completely changed…

Attempts to establish another house were short-lived until a golden opportunity presented itself : they were invited to offer spiritual assistance to Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, the property of the Holy See. It was on the feast of St Therese of the Child Jesus, in 1992, that the contract was signed between the Carmelite Order and the representative of the Vatican.

Notre Dame Centre, (www.notredamecenter.org) is an imposing building, admirably situated beside the Old City, across the road from New Gate, and equidistant from Jaffa and Damascus gates.

The Center, built by the Assumptionist Fathers at the end of the 19th century to receive French pilgrims, was purchased by the Vatican in 1970. It then became a hotel for pilgrims from all over the world.

The Friars' community is an international one, like most religious communities in the country. Along with the spiritual services offered, the community has its own rhythm of life. As well, certain members attend courses ranging from theology to the languages of the country - Hebrew and Arabic. There are also guests passing through and at one time people would come for a sabbatical year.

Nowadays students come for a year or more, mainly for biblical courses, taking advantage of the famous centres for biblical studies here, among which is the noted Ecole Biblique run by the Dominicans and only a short distance from Notre Dame! Besides, independent of the level of studies being done, Jerusalem is an ideal place for this type of work, being the cradle of our Christian faith. This is not even to mention the biblical places close by: Bethlehem, Ain Karem, Bethany, Jericho, Hebron, Emmaus…

Jerusalem is a city which leaves its mark on all those who come there. Some think it is the most interesting city in the world. The Carmelites are truly fortunate to have a place there.

While present times are rather difficult, they do not interfere with a vigorous life, and never prevent us from hoping for the future!

The cry, so full of hope, of our Jewish brothers should not be forgotten, since it is well on the way to being fulfilled : " Next year in Jerusalem ! "

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