Convent of the Carmelite Sisters and Betharam

Convent of the Carmelite Sisters and Betharam

As one strolls along Freres Street in Bethlehem, a grand, imposing gate signals the entrance to an expansive and serene convent complex. Stepping through the portal, visitors are transported to a world in stark contrast to the bustling urban landscape beyond. Lush greenery, towering trees, and meticulously tended rose gardens envelop the observer, creating an atmosphere of profound peace and tranquility. This hallowed ground was established in 1875 when Sister Mariam Baouardy, a nun from the northern Palestinian village of Iblin, left her French convent in Pau to found a new monastery for the Order of the Discalced Carmelites in Bethlehem. Baouardy, now a canonized saint, was accompanied by ten other nuns in this ambitious endeavor.

The convent's location was carefully chosen to occupy the Hill of David, with a commanding view of the iconic Basilica of the Nativity. The convent's altar was constructed directly above the Grotto of David, which now serves as the final resting place for the Carmelite Sisters who have called this sanctuary home over the generations.

In the years that followed, the Convent of the Carmelite Sisters and Betharam continued to evolve and expand. In 1878, the adjacent Fathers of the Sacred Heart Monastery was added to the original convent buildings. Then, in 1892, a church dedicated to St. Joseph was built on the grounds, further enhancing the spiritual character of the complex.