After a long process of discernment, our Monastery of St. Therese of Lisieux of Loretto, Pennsylvania requested and was approved on May 28, 2021 to transfer our Canonical Jurisdiction from the Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, to the Friars of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. We now belong to the Province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, otherwise known as the “Washington Province” after Washington County, Wisconsin where our Holy Hill Monastery is located.
We are most grateful to the Discalced Carmelite Superior General Saverio Cannistra, and our Fr. Provincial Michael Berry and all the Fathers for their generous and open-hearted acceptance of our Carmel into the Province. While we continue to be active as a Cloistered Monastery within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and continue our bond with our Bishop, this change is an opportunity to strengthen our Carmelite Charism under the care and support of our Discalced Carmelite Friars. This new and closer bond with our Brothers in the Order will further safeguard and promote our monastic traditions and unique Carmelite character and heritage.
Blessed be God in all His gifts!
