Diocese: Solsona
The Carmelite friars, who had been in Tàrrega for several centuries, came to know that there was the possibility of founding a monastery of nuns in their city. The prior at the time, Fr. Miguel Basagañas (Cat), took advantage of the presence of the then bishop of Solsona, Mgr. Vicente Enrique Tarancón, in Tàrrega, to suggest that the proposed foundation be one of Carmelite nuns. The bishop gladly agreed, because the Carmelites were willing to give spiritual assistance to the nuns.
The project began to take concrete form when the Provincial, Fr. Pablo Mª Casadevall and the Prior of Tàrrega. Fr. Miguel Basagañas, visited the monastery of the Incarnation in Barcelona on 26 September 1952. At this meeting, the Prioress, Mª Teresa de la Sta. Faz, and her Council accepted the idea put forward by the friars. After the meeting, the Carmelite friars contacted the city council of Tàrrega to obtain permission for the foundation. This permission was granted and, in addition, a piece of land given for the construction of a cloistered Carmel.
On 11 April 1953, the Prioress of the Barcelona monastery, wrote to the Holy Father, Pius XII, requesting permission to found a Carmel in Tàrrega. Sr. Mª Teresa del Buen Pastor, Sr. Mª Concepción de Jesús Crucificado, Sr. Mª Lourdes de la Transfiguración (from the Barcelona monastery) and Sr. Mª Asunción de la Sta. Faz (from the Villafranca del Pendès monastery) were appointed to this foundation.
On 23 August 1953, at the request of the Provincial to the bishop of Solsona to begin the foundation, the bishop sent Fr. Pablo Mª Casadevall to propose to the nuns the idea of transforming what was meant to be the chapel of the new monastery into a Diocesan Sanctuary in honour of Our Lady of Fatima. The nuns gladly accepted the proposal of the bishop.
The monastery, whose official name is "Our Lady of Carmel and of the Divine Love" but which is generally known as "Monastery of Divine Love", was inaugurated on 6 June 1954, Pentecost Sunday. The community consisted of four nuns and three postulants accepted that same day. On 8 September two other postulants entered, thus the community counted nine members. While the monastery and the sanctuary were being built, the nuns lived in what was to be the guard house.
On 9 June 1957, Pentecost Sunday and third anniversary of foundation, the altar of Our Lady of Carmel and of the Divine Love, titular of the monastery, was blessed. The altar is situated on the left of the sanctuary and in front of the grate of the monastic choir. The picture of Our Lady is carved in wood and so is the icon of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descending on Our Lady’s head. These were carved by the sculptor Tomás Bel. Two angels playing musical instruments are painted on the right and left and are the work of the painter and designer Llucià Navarro. Both artists are natives of Barcelona.
From the time of the foundation, the nuns have desired to live an authentic, joyful, contemplative Carmelite life. They have tried, as far as possible, to celebrate the liturgy with the greatest splendour and fervour, according to the tradition of our Order, thus also encouraging the participation of the faithful. The nuns also provide for themselves by the work of their hands. At first they embroidered linen and ornaments. Then they went into industrial manufacturing in their own monastery and at present the work is more artistic: they burn spiritual phrases into pieces of wood.
Monges Carmelites
Santuari Diocesà de la Verge de Fàtima
Av. de Fàtima, s/n
25300 - Tàrrega, Spain
http://www.fatimatarrega.net
Tf. 973 310 437
