Biblical Roots. Carmel is rich in image and symbol, in legend and history and in its strong Biblical roots which gives the Carmelite charism its enduring vigour. Carmelites’ relationship with Jesus is at the centre of their spirituality whether it is expressed, as in the ancient Rule as ‘allegiance’ to their liege Lord, or as deep and true friendship, as experienced by St Teresa of Jesus, or in terms of bridal imagery as typified in the mystical poetry of St John of the Cross. Carmel is ‘Our Lady’s Order’ and as we seek to radically live our vocation, Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel is our model, guide and protector.
Unlike many other ancient orders, Carmel does not take its name from a founding person but from a place. The Bible tells us that Mount Carmel in the Holy Land is a place of beauty and fruitfulness. It is a ‘mystic mountain’ which symbolises Christ our Lord and the meeting place of the human with God. The Hebrew scriptures tell us of Elijah’s struggle with idolatry and victory on Mount Carmel and of the ‘school of prophets’ that gathered at that place and that were led by Elijah and his successor Eiisha. Legend has it that this was the beginning of the Carmelite Order! Certainly the spirit of Elijah and those Old Testament prophets are honoured by Carmelites today and Elijah is an important patron and ‘father’ to Carmelites.
Moving The Mountain: Carmel In Europe
‘Moving The Mountain’: Carmelites in Europe
St Teresa’s Reform
Teresa’s ‘daughters’
Ware Carmel
Contemporary Carmel
The Carmelite Rule. Firm historical evidence shows that hermits did live on Mount Carmel during the time of the crusades. These men lived like the desert fathers & mothers of the 3rd and 4th
centuries, wanting to live their Christian discipleship to the full. At some point these hermits formed into a community and between 1206 and 1214 they asked for a ‘Rule’ from Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem which would give them a structure to their life together.
Throughout the centuries The Rule has linked successive generations of Carmelites to the first ‘hermits in community’ on Mount Carmel.
By 1238 the Saracens were taking the Holy Land and bands of hermit brothers were bringing the spirituality of Carmel into Europe. In 1242 Earl Richard de Grey, King Henry III’s brother brought a group to Westminster. During this time the brothers faced the challenge which faces each generation of Carmelites, to live the Carmelite charism faithfully according to the demands of their time and place. Accordingly the brothers became mendicant friars. Their striped cloaks also changed to become the familiar white mantles.
Far left: The devotion to Our Lady continued & is typified by the story of St Simon Stock & his vision of Mary promising salvation to all who worthily wear her scapular.
Left: Sts Elijah & Elisha
Right:Blessed John Soreth who, as Prior General in 1450, was authorised to recognise communities of Carmelite nuns and also the lay, secular order.
Teresa of Jesus (b. 1515, d.1582), also called Teresa of Avila was one of the most remarkable women the world has known. Her great struggles and adventure in prayer are recorded in her written works. She felt the Lord calling her to establish a Carmelite house where a small number of sisters could live in silence, solitude and friendship with each other and the Lord, following a way of life akin to the first hermits on Mount Carmel. This new monastery, dedicated to St Joseph became the first of many reformed houses. Teresa’s reform was not without difficulties but soon the reformed, Teresian or discalced (barefoot) Carmelites became an order in itself within the Carmelite family.
Teresa wanted to return to the essential spirit of the early Carmelites. Her teaching on the humanity of Christ, her understanding of the human person and the life of prayer are a gift, not just to her time of the Catholic Reformation but to the Church and world of today. In recognition of this Teresa is a doctor of the Church.. Of the many people who worked with Teresa in the reform one of the most famous is St John of the Cross, also a doctor of the Church. The differences in these saints serves to show more strongly the Carmelite charism they share.
The reformed Carmelite monasteries continued and grew after Teresa’s death. Teresa’s companions Blessed Anne of St Bartholomew (right)and Venerable Anne of Jesus started Discalced Carmelite communities in France and Flanders.
Despite many difficulties, or perhaps because of them, the Discalced or Teresian Carmels survived and flourished. Some Carmelites, like the sixteen martyrs of Compiegne, executed in 1792 or St Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) (bottom right) who was killed in the gas chambers of Auchwitz in 1942 , have witnessed to their Christian calling in extraordinary and horrific events in history. Others, like St Therese of the Child Jesus (below left) and Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity (below right)have lived radical Christian discipleship in the ordinary events of life.
Carmel has a long and fascinating history and many canonised saints. One Carmelite who wrote about the history and spirit of Carmel is now himself a saint. Visit his writings at this link also find out more at the Titus Brandsma Institute.
Ware Carmel. In this very brief history we now jump to 1925 when a new foundation was made from the Carmel of Notting Hill. The new monastery was to be in Hatfield. It was the first Carmel to be founded after the canonisation of St Therese and it was placed under her protection. A move was necessary in 1938 when the community moved to Hitchen and again in 1958 when the move was made to Ware. (below left after the move to Ware.)
Contemporary Carmel. ‘What is the Lord asking us today? How do we faithfully live our Christian Carmelite charism now?’ This is the question that every Carmelite sister and brother in every generation has to ask.. The amazing history and spirit of Carmel and the legacy of love built up by the sisters who have gone before us is the gift entrusted to us. Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
Contemporary photos of Ware Carmel above right view of the monastery from the garden. Above the sanctuary of our chapel.
