PRESS RELEASE: Friars and Nuns Partner to Explore Future for Monastery of the Angels Property
Dominican Friars and Nuns enter exclusive agreement – plan to launch RFP process in April 2023
HOLLYWOOD, CA – The Dominican Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Western Dominican Province) and the North American Association of Dominican Monasteries announced an exclusive agreement between their two organizations, and have launched a public process seeking future options for the restoration and use of the Nuns’ historic property at 1977 Carmen Ave, Los Angeles, CA.
The process is being directed by the Western Dominican Province and seeks to create a unique long-term plan for the property, one that honors the legacy of the Nuns and keeps the chapel and the pumpkin bread and candy business accessible to the community.
The friars and nuns are both a part of the world-wide Order of Preachers (aka the Dominicans) founded by St. Dominic in the 13th century. Though independent in their operations and civil structures, the friars and nuns remain a part of the same extended Dominican family and collaborate in their shared mission to preach the Gospel.
“The Nuns have been a cherished fixture of the Hollywood Hills since 1924 and dear friends to the Friars of our province,” said Fr. Christopher Fadok, O.P., Prior Provincial of the Western Dominican Province. “Their chapel and grounds are a place of prayer and refuge for the neighborhood, and their bread and candy business is a staple of Hollywood tours. The Nuns are our sisters in Christ and St. Dominic, and we feel a particular responsibility to honor their legacy and help them through this time of transition.”
Speaking on behalf of the Nuns of the former Monastery of the Angels, Sr. Maria Christine Behlow, O.P., echoed Fr. Christopher’s sentiments saying, “Our sisters loved the Hollywood Hills community, and we look forward to working with the friars, interested parties, and the neighborhood to ensure our beloved monastery can continue to be a blessing to all.”
When the Monastery of the Angels community closed in 2022, speculation arose as to what would happen to the property. That’s when the Master of the Order asked the Nuns and Friars to work together in concert with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to find viable solutions that would protect the monastery from destruction.
The Monastery of the Angels is a 3.77-acre property that contains an impressive 52,572 sq foot monastic structure dating from 1947. It is located just blocks from the iconic “Hollywood” sign.
Dominic D. Dutra of 3D Strategies has been engaged to lead the effort and will soon release a public Request for Proposals, seeking all possible options for the property. The RFP is scheduled to be released in April 2023.
Interested parties should submit questions and formal proposals to:
Dominic D. Dutra | (510) 366-9931 | ddutra@3dstrategies.com
###
Background on the Dominican Order:
The Order of Preachers – the Dominicans – is a worldwide religious order of the Catholic Church. Founded in the 13th century by St. Dominic de Guzman, the Dominicans are dedicated to preaching the Gospel for the salvation of souls.
The Dominicans are led by the Master of the Order, Fr. Gerard Timoner, III, O.P. (Rome, Italy). The Order includes friars, cloistered nuns, active sisters, and lay members.
Background on the Dominican Friars:
There are four Dominican provinces in the United States: Western, Eastern, Central and Southern provinces, each with their own governance.
Founded in 1850, the Dominican Friars of the Western Province (Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus) serve throughout the Western U.S. (and internationally) in a variety of apostolates, including campus and parish ministries, schools, seminaries, universities, media, and missions to the poor. The Western Dominican Province is headquartered in Oakland, CA and is made up of approximately 140 friars.
Background on the Dominican Nuns:
There are many autonomous Dominican monasteries of nuns around the world. In North America, Dominican monasteries are affiliated through the North American Association of Dominican Monasteries, of which the Monastery of the Angels was a member.
St. Dominic established the first community of cloistered Dominican nuns in 1206 in Prouille, France. Over the centuries, communities of Dominican nuns have spread throughout the world and are a great source of spiritual strength for the Order and local communities. Free from the distractions of the world, the nuns dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and contemplation for the salvation of souls.
