The Carmelite monastery at Lisieux translated into English its ledgers from the years St. Therese lived there (1888-1897) and published them at the Web site of the archives of the Carmel of Lisieux.  The French historian, Claude Langlois, wrote an analysis of the finances of the Lisieux Carmel which tells what we can learn about the Carmel's life and situation from these ledgers and what questions they raise.  I am delighted to announce this latest of the generous gifts the Lisieux Carmel is sharing on its Archives Web site.  How fortunate we are to see all these jewels that were  never before released! 

Did you know that:

• in order to guarantee the survival of the community, the families of choir sisters were expected to pay board for their daughters during their novitiate; to contribute the cost of the ceremonies of clothing (reception of the habit) and profession; and to give a considerable dowry to provide for their nun-daughter's support?
• during Therese's first four years at Carmel, the Marquise de Briges, a generous benefactor, contributed gifts totaling 56,000 francs, 35% of the community's annual budget?
• The considerable dowries of the Martin sisters and the large inheritance the Carmel received in 1894 from the estate of Blessed Louis Martin did much to stabilize the Carmel's finances?  

Read more about the finances of the Lisieux Carmel, 1888-1897.