Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas

In 1934, a dream began to take shape. The Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas, a beacon of faith, started its journey on Fernando Otorgués Street. The cornerstone was laid, blessed by Archbishop Francisco Aragone. Two years later, five nuns arrived from Buenos Aires, bringing the Carmelite order to Uruguay. The Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas became a reality. Among these pioneering women were Sister Marta del Niño Jesús and Mother Albertina de San José. They had envisioned this moment years before in the Corpus Christi monastery in Buenos Aires. The journey from dream to reality was long. But on November 3, 1936, they stepped off the Vapor de la Carrera, ready to establish their order in Uruguay. They were greeted with a warm welcome at the Church of the Prado. Later, at the Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas on Otorgués Street, Archbishop Aragone formally established the cloister. The first novice to join the burgeoning community was Sister Carmen María del Sagrado Corazón. She had already been a catechist at the Carmelite Church of the Prado. Soon, other women followed. Sister Ana de San Bartolomé from Colonia, Sister María Teresa, Sister Inés, and Sister María Elena from Montevideo, all answered the call. The Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas quickly grew to house twenty-one sisters. However, the location on Otorgués Street proved problematic. A nearby workshop caused vibrations that threatened the building and the sisters’ health. A move became necessary. In 1968, the community relocated to Géminis Street in Punta de Rieles. Another move followed in 1981, this time to Agraciada and Gil Avenues. They established the Carmelo Nuestra Señora del Silencio y la Esperanza. This new foundation was led by Sister Carmen María, the first novice of the Uruguayan Carmel. By 1984, the adapted house at the new foundation was again too small. The sisters found a new home, a former quinta once owned by Henderson and then Alberto Gallinal, located on Amarales Street. Architect Francisco Collet oversaw the renovations. The Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas finally found a lasting home. The garage was transformed into parlors, a porter’s lodge and revolving door were added in 2000. Finally, in 2005, the chapel and cloister were constructed. The Capilla de las Hermanas Carmelitas Descalzas stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of these Carmelite nuns.