Following Pius XII's promulgation of the apostolic constitution Sponsa Christi (1959), the movement toward federation among the monasteries began, the seed of renewal to come. Unknown to the U. S. nuns, prior general of the order, Fr. Silverio, opposed federation and sabotaged its implementation. However, the vision of collaboration, unity and mutual help did not die "in spite of the blocks set up by some of the nuns themselves, by their own leadership [in the order], by certain US Bishops and even by the Holy See itself" (Kuenstler). Four associations, not federations, eventually formed along ideological rather than geographical or foundation lines: Carmelite Communities Associated (CCA) now with thirteen member Carmels (2004); St. Teresa's Association with ten (2004), including a new foundation of the association erected in Port Tobacco in 1989; Mary Queen of Carmel Association with twenty (2004); and St. Joseph with eight (2004). Three associations were promptly approved by the Holy See. Because some of the members of CCA had publicly criticized Venite Seorsum (1969), a Vatican document on enclosure for nuns, and had participated in the Association of Contemplative Sisters (ACS), CCA was denied approval until 1993. After twenty years, collaboration has begun among three of the associations.excerpted from the entry on Discalced Carmelite Nuns authored by Sr. Constance FitzGerald, OCD in The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History
Carmelite Communities Associated
Mary, Queen of Carmel Association
Carmelite Communities of Women Following the 1990 Constitutions