Fonds JM-MSCJ - Archives of the Monastery of St. Clare of Jerusalem

The monastery of St. Clare of Jerusalem was founded in 1888 by a French community in Paray-le-Monial (Diocese of Autun). The first nuns arrived in 1884 and began by founding the monastery of St. Clare of Nazareth; the foundation of the monastery of Jerusalem followed in a second step. This first community was led by Mother Elisabeth of Calvary and accompanied by Father Gauthey, Vicar General of the Diocese of Autun. The monastery is under the jurisdiction of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, restored as a residential seat by Pope Pius IX in 1847.

Several well-known personalities are linked to the history of the monastery. Thus, the establishment of the monastery was initially marked by the support of Léon Harmel, a French industrialist, a prominent figure in French social Catholicism with Albert de Mun. Indeed, Leon Harmel's daughter, Maria Harmel, first of all clarified in Paray-le-Monial joined the adventure of founding the monastery of St. Clare of Jerusalem. Thus, the establishment of the monastery is under permit financed by Léon Harmel's endowments.

The history of the monastery is also marked by an exile in Egypt during the First World War. The Poor Clares then returned to their premises.