The harsh beginnings of the Discalced Carmel in Calahorra: a story of success

Abstract

Calahorra City hosted the first reformed Carmelite foundations in La Rioja. The foundation process was really complex due to the difficulties to found funding and maintain long-term viability. Thus, the strategies followed by the cloister nuns and monks were substantially different from each other because the first had to resort to sponsorship of a secular while the latter could generate for themselves the resources necessary to ensure their survival. This story reveals the key role played prioresses the convent of St. Joseph, especially Cecilia del Nacimiento and María de san Bernabé, without which it could not have been possible the success and continuity of both foundations.