St. Albert of Jerusalem and the First Carmelite Rule of Life

St. Albert of Jerusalem and the First Carmelite Rule of Life

St. Albert of Jerusalem

St. Albert was born of a well-known family in Parma, Italy. After studying theology and law, he became a canon at Holy Cross Abbey in Mortara, and then in 1184 A.D. became bishop of Bobbio. He was then translated to Vercelli, mediated a dispute between Frederick Barbarossa and Pope Clement III, and also negotiated a peace between Parma and Piacenza. In 1205 A.D., he was appointed Patriarch of Jerusalem which had been established as a Latin kingdom by the Crusaders in 1099 A.D.

St. Albert gives a rule to the Mt. Carmel hermits


St. Albert is especially known for a rule of life he composed for St. Brocard, the prior of the hermits living on Mount Carmel. This rule of life became the first rule of the Carmelites. It is a rule that is distinct from the other rules in existence - the rules of St. Basil, St. Benedict, and St. Augustine. St. Albert's rule imitated the style of the New Testament letters and includes many references to the early Fathers of the Church. Although the rule supported a new way of life, it is a simple formula of life that is in continuity with Scripture, the great traditions of early religious life, and the Desert Fathers.

The introduction to the rule given between 1206-1214 A.D.

Introduction:

"St. Albert, called by God's favor to be Patriarch of the church of Jerusalem, bids health in the Lord and the blessing of the Holy Spirit to his beloved sons in Christ, Brocard and the other hermits under obedience to him, who live near the spring on Mount Carmel.


Many and varied are the ways in which our saintly forefathers laid down how everyone, whatever his station or the kind of religious observance he has chosen, should live a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ - how, pure in heart and stout in conscience, he must be unswerving in the service of his Master. It is to me, however, that you have come for a rule of life in keeping with your avowed purpose, a rule you may hold fast to henceforward; and therefore:"

Contents of the rule

Originally, the rule was written in the form of a letter without divisions into chapters. As it developed in history, it now comes to us with an introduction, 18 short chapters, and a conclusion. The rule has almost 100 quotations and allusions to Scripture and thus reveals a great fidelity to the spirit of the Bible. Recent records reveals the Rule of St. Albert organized in text as follows:

1. Introduction:

The introduction encourages a gospel way of life that centers on Christ and on allegiance to Him.

2. Chapters 1-6:

These chapters present an infrastructure or system for living out the centrality of Christ in one's life.

3. Chapters 7-11:

These chapters concretize the ideal presented in the introduction, describes the manner of living in community, and the foundations for this community.

4. Chapters 12-18:

These chapters describe the means necessary to attain the proposed ideal.

5. Conclusion:

The conclusion calls for fidelity and discernment in living out this norm of life.