religious dress - clothing

[dmt1955]

not sure if this is the best board for my question.....

This is a picture of my great aunt Angiolina Purcaro. She was born 1918 in Ariano Irpino and died 1969 in Arenella, Napoli.

at age 4, she was given over to a convent. I assume it was in Ariano, but I am unsure. She eventually took her vows, then as an adult, left her order.

might anyone have an idea to which order she belongs based on her habit? where might i find this out?

thanks,
Donna

[AngelaGrace56]

Hi Donna

The Carmelite Sisters wore a brown habbit with a white cape, similar to what can be seen in this pic. It's hard to tell exactly whether your great aunt is wearing brown or black but it doesn't seem to be dark enough to be black? Does it have anything written on the back of the photo?

Angela

[dmt1955]

angela,
my cousin found this picture. she does not know where/when her father got it.

i was unable to find any info on line about carmelite convents in ariano. i assume that i should write to the diocese in hopes i can find out more about what order? where she was sent? etc. at some point in her adult life she left the order. through connections my grandmother (this is her sister) learned she was in naples but that was in the 1960's i think before she died....i do not know much else. she's another black hole.....

thanks so much.
donna

[AngelaGrace56]

You have such interesting stories, Donna. She possibly wasn't left at a convent in Ariano. I read somewhere recently that children were seldom left in the town of their birth. (It would be just too hard and painful for the mother.) From what I remember Carmelites were a very closed order. The sisters dedicated their lives to work, prayer and a close relationship to Christ. I always had the impression they were exclusive but when I was doing a little search the other day I noticed that they did care for children. I came across a lot of pics where they were out and about as well. Locally here, a lot of our churches are now very much into archiving and preserving records etc. Not sure what happens there in that regard but maybe you could also enquire locally and get some advice about where to next. I've got close friends who are devout Catholics and into history, I'll make some enquries. I wonder how she cared for herself after she left the convent.

Edit to Add:
I meant to say that as soon as I saw the picture the other day it reminded me so much of a statue that mum and dad had in their room of St Teresa (of Avila). It was a really love statue. I came across a similar pic online the other day but it is not included here in this article about her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_of_%C3%81vila

Angela

[dmt1955]

angela,
at the time i posted the pic here, i sent an email to a company i found on the internet that makes religious clothing. they were kind enough to respond that in fact the habit is "distinctly" carmelite although some modern/modified style. so, you were right on target.

thanks for the suggestion....there are a couple of carmelite communities fairly local to me, which i will write to for their thinking about finding more facts about my prozia. another fact....her mother died when she was 2 (my grandmother was 14). it was two years later that their father married another woman and sent my GM to boston to live with a maternal aunt and angiolina to the convent. so, another inquiry will have to go to the diocese of ariano to find out what Carmelite communities may have been close by that she might have gone to.

interesting stories, yes ...also headbangers! it is a full-time job trying hunt some of this information. my poor italian language skills only makes it more frustrating. as my grandmother used to say about certain challenges in life..."that's what happens when you're born beautiful instead of rich."

i appreciate your making an inquiry on my behalf and look forward to hearing what might result from that.

donna

[AngelaGrace56]

Fantastic! At least you now know for sure which Order she was in. What a sad start in life she had, and also your grandmother.

That's a great idea to write to the carmelite communities in your area. I would be tempted to phone one of the communities to enquire whether I could pop in and have a talk. It would be so interesting. I'm sure that they also would find your story very interesting, and possibly want to help, and maybe offer to followup for you. I remember going to a Women's Expo years ago and met a lovely Sister from a different Order, and she was so interesting to talk to and so kind. I talked to her for ages. I was fascinated by all the information about the history of the Order she was with and especially all the photos she had displayed. Anyway, long story......that day she gifted me a lovely book, which I still have, and have just been flicking through. Right at the end of the book is an Appendix: The Sisters 1902-2002 which lists all the Sisters from here, who entered the Order, during that time span, including those who left. It includes their maiden name as well as their “saint” name which they take on. It's both an interesting book, with all the history and lovely photos, and also a very inspiring book.....

Anyways, thank you for getting back to me about this and keep me posted. I'll have a chat to my friends. I think the best way to go is approaching the actual Carmelite communities which is what you are doing.

Angela