Our Foundation Day May 28th

We celebrate the Foundation of our Monastery on May 28th 1935, just a few days before Western Australia commemorates the founding of the State on June 3rd.

The story of our foundation begins with a letter written on January 15th 1935 by the Prioress of the Sydney Carmel, Mother Marie du St Espirit, to the Archbishop of Perth, the Reverend Patrick Clune, requesting permission to found a Carmelite Monastery in his Archdiocese. After consulting with his Co-adjutor, Bishop Prendiville, Archbishop Clune wrote in reply:

‘I am very glad to be able to inform you that we are gratefully accepting your offer of a Carmel foundation in Perth - that we look on it as a great grace for the Archdiocese - and a special gift from the Little Flower.’

Portrait of Archbishop Clune.

Initially, the founding Sisters hoped to find a house to begin their foundation with enough land to proceed with building a permanent monastery when they were established. This proved virtually impossible to find as high taxes on unoccupied land, coupled with high water rates, made it cheaper to purchase vegetables than to grow them, so very few houses were built on more than a regular housing block, much too small for a future monastery. The only available property was a 30 room dwelling with 12 acres of land overlooking the Swan river. However, this property was much too expensive for the Sisters limited means and there were also concerns as to how they would provide for the enclosure that is essential for a Carmelite monastery. This site was later purchased by the Sisters of Mercy and became the site of St Anne’s hospital in Mt Lawley, now a part of St John of God hospital.

Archbishop Clune continued his search for a suitable property and on April 11th 1934 wrote to the Prioress in Sydney that he had found some vacant land for sale in what was to become the suburb of Dalkeith. The land was owned by an elderly Catholic gentleman and reasonably priced. Upon hearing that the property was for ‘the Little Flower’s own Order’ he gave a generous discount to the Sisters.

Photograph taken in the garden of the Carmelite Monastery, Dulwich Hill, Sydney.

Once the land was purchased work was set in motion to erect a small building on the site that would provide basic accomodation for the founding Sisters and designed so as to allow for future extension. Council approval for the building was received in mid October and work was able to commence.

With the necessary approval the monastery and small chapel were speedily erected and by March 1935 plans were being made for the group of seven Sisters who would found the new Monastery to make the sea voyage from Sydney to Perth. This eagerly awaited day arrived on May 18th when the Manoora was due to depart Sydney, arriving in Perth on May 28th.

Departure on the Manoora with the Sisters bidding farewell to family and friends.

It was a very youthful band of Sisters who undertook the new venture of founding a Carmel in Western Australia. Mother St Gabriel, the founding Prioress was 29 years old. There was one extern Sister, Sister Josephine, three Choir Sisters, one Novice and one was only a postulant. The account of their farewell to family and community, many of whom would never meet again, is very moving.

‘The time to leave came; all assembled in the Choir to recite the ‘Itinerarium’. and then went to the Tour where our Reverend Mother , Marie du St. Espirit read the letters from the Holy Father authorising the Foundation, also those from the Prelates concerned, giving their blessing to the Sisters who were to depart. Reverend Mother Marie du Espirit then gave us the Obedience to go, embraced us for the last time, as did Mother Beatrix, the Sub-Prioress, and all the Sisters. The big gates were thrown open. and with veils lowered, we stepped out to leave behind forever the Cloister of Dulwich Hill and the cradle of our religious life. At the threshold we all turned and together bowed a last farewell to our Mother and Sisters..’(Chronicle).

From the very first communication between the Carmelite Sisters in Sydney and Archbishop Clune the Sisters were made aware of the difficulties he was having with his health. At all times the Archbishop had consulted with his Co-adjutor Archbishop Prendiville regarding the proposed foundation of a Carmelite Monastery in Perth. The founding of a Carmel had been a great joy for Archbishop Clune and he had extended every assistance to the Carmelite Sisters, seeking out a suitable property, arranging for the new building, organising every detail of gardens, furnishings, transport etc. It was with eager anticipation that he looked forward to welcoming the Sisters to Perth but it was not to be, the Chronicle of the founding of our monastery reads:

‘That night, Friday 24th May (Feast of Or Lady Help of Christians), we were awakened at about 10 o’clock at night to receive a wireless message sent by Mr Jackson, informing us of the death of Archbishop Clune…It was sad news indeed for us all as we realised the friend of our foundation had been taken away even before we had the happiness of receiving his welcome in his diocese. The fact of being so close seemed but to make our position felt more by each one, but then we realised that he was our protector in heaven and indeed more powerful than ever to help us. We prayed for him although we also prayed to him and next morning, on deck, we recited the Office of the Dead for the repose of his soul.

Archbishop Clune was truly the Father and Founder of our Carmel. '‘ (Chronicle).

The six Sisters who formed the enclosed Community. Sr Martha, the Postulant, wears a cap and cape while the white veiled Sisters are Novices.

The Manoora arrived in Albany on Sunday May 26th and the Sisters were on deck to enjoy the scenery. They were given newspapers with details of the death of Archbishop Clune and of the funeral arrangements:

‘We learnt from it that the Requiem Mass and Funeral were to take place on the following Tuesday - the very day of our arrival.’(Chronicle).

The Sisters hoped to attend the Requiem Mass however most of them were ill, some having succumbed to flu and all suffering from the after effects of sea sickness due to severe weather the Manoora had encountered after leaving Adelaide and also when rounding Cape Leeuwin. The Chronicle describes some of their experiences :

‘Sr Mary of the Eucharist made no mistake about her complaint, it was sea-sickness without any camouflage, and she declared she would never go to sea again. She asked the stewardess if one would die of her complaint and she seemed disappointed when told ‘no’! Sr Mary of the Trinity was a real cot case and wanted to get out and walk!’

Instead the Sisters were taken to the Convent of the Good Shepherd Sisters who had invited them to stay until their Monastery was ready for them. The small band of exhausted and bereaved Sisters were profoundly moved and grateful for the beautiful preparations that had been made for their stay and the loving welcome and care they received from the Good Shepherd Sisters, it was the beginning of an enduring friendship between the two communities.

During the afternoon the Carmelite Sisters received visits from the Archbishop of Adelaide and priests who had come to Perth for the Requiem of Archbishop Clune. It was a weary but happy little group who went early to bed on the night of May 28th 1935 having been warmly welcomed to Western Australia.

So ends this brief account of the founding day of the Carmelites in Western Australia. Another time we will recount their early days in the West and the establishment of the Holy Trinity Carmel in Dalkeith.

Taken shortly after the foundation Sr Martha is at the rear, now in the veil of a Novice, and Sr Josephine, the Extern Sister is to the right wearing a distinguishing veil. An Extern Sister acts as a go between for the enclosed community and the outside world. Before the reforms of Vatican II Extern Sisters lived separately from the enclosed community and rarely entered the enclosure. Today we do not have an Extern Sister and necessary business is carried out by the Prioress or by Sisters she designates for particular tasks.