The Carmelite Sisters have closed the house they maintained in Zújar, in the diocese of Guadix, after 52 years of presence and pastoral service in the town and in other nearby villages.
The farewell took place on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, during a celebration presided over by the parish priest, Valeriano Plaza. The day was marked by gratitude toward the religious sisters and by sadness over a decision prompted by the lack of vocations in the congregation.
During the Eucharist, the Daughters of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel renewed their devotional vow and blessed and imposed scapulars on the numerous faithful present.
Sister Rita offered words of farewell and thanks to the people of Zújar for the welcome they received and for the years shared in service to the parish. The parish priest highlighted the work carried out by the religious sisters and asked Our Lady of the Head, patroness of the town, for an increase in vocations that would allow the house to reopen in the future.
More than half a century of pastoral service
The last religious sisters assigned to Zújar have been Sisters Rita and Elisda, both of Indonesian origin. Their departure ends a presence that began in 1974.
Over these five decades, the Carmelites collaborated with the parish’s apostolic activity and extended their service to the nearby towns of Bácor, Baúl, Freila, and Cuevas del Campo.
Their work focused especially on caring for children, the elderly, and the sick, as well as participating in various parish and diocesan activities.
The two sisters were also part of the Villa de Zújar choir from its beginnings, a group that musically accompanied the farewell Mass.
After the celebration, the neighbors gathered in the parish halls, where they expressed their affection and gratitude to the sisters for their years of dedication.
The community maintains the hope that a possible increase in vocations will one day allow the congregation’s presence in Zújar to be restored.