The Diocese of Barcelona has announced that the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes will remain open for worship, despite the departure of the last three Clarisse nuns who have resided there for centuries. The nuns will be transferred to Viloví d'Onyar on Saturday.
The decision to maintain worship at the monastery was made after a farewell mass for the nuns, officiated by Father Alain Pitti. The news was met with applause from the faithful, who had feared that the departure of the nuns would also mean the end of worship at the site.
The monastery, founded by Queen Elisenda de Moncada in 1326, has been home to Clarisse nuns since its inauguration in 1327. The nuns' departure marks the end of an era, but the Diocese of Barcelona has assured the public that the building will remain in the hands of the Church, preventing it from becoming part of the City of Barcelona's museum complex.
The Diocese has not yet been able to secure the return of nuns to the monastery, though Father Pitti has stated that the possibility of other Clarisse nuns taking up residence in the future is not ruled out.
The monastery will host a public celebration on Wednesday, December 12, to commemorate the feast of Saint Eulalia, the former patron saint of Barcelona. The celebration will serve as a farewell to the departing nuns.