Carmelite Spirituality

Mt. Carmel in Palestine: An Origin and Symbol of Carmelite Spirituality

Introduction

Carmelite spirituality was made popular for contemporary times by the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross (whose feast was celebrated last December 14), St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Edith Stein (who was influenced by St. Teresa and St. John). Teresa and John hail from the sixteenth century A.D.; St. Therese comes from the nineteenth century A.D.; and Edith Stein lived in the twentieth century A.D. - more particularly between the two world wars.

Origin of Carmel

The group of hermits who lived in Mt. Carmel in Palestine was organized by the Patriarch of Jerusalem - St. Albert. St. Albert gave them a rule. This rule systematized the hermits' way of life between the years 1206 to 1214 A.D. The rule is known as the Rule of St. Albert - a rule very distinct from the classical monastic rules of St. Basil, St. Benedict, and St. Augustine. The short and unique rule of St. Albert can be understood if one studies the context of meaning understood during the middle ages. It is to be understood in terms of the ways of life of: the hermit, the pilgrim, and the mendicant.

The hermit, the pilgrim and the mendicant

Hermits during the Middle Ages chose not to live the ordered life of the monasteries but rather sought out the desert, or any solitary place where they can seek Christ in prayer, listening and solitude. Pilgrims on the other hand, are those who seek Christ by travelling to holy places - with the Holy Land as the ultimate destination. They travel very simply and are kept on the move by their vow. The third way of life is followed by the mendicants. These are people who follow Christ in a poor way of life: often identifying themselves with the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the beggars around them.

Spiritual formation in Carmel

The first "Carmelites", those Latin hermits who were organized by St. Albert, were formed spiritually in Christ through the rule of St. Albert and through the integration of the three ways of life: the hermit, the pilgrim, and the mendicant. In short, and to put it simply, these first Carmelites were really hermit-pilgrim-mendicants who lived in Mt. Carmel near the Spring of Elijah and sought to come closer to Christ in prayer and solitude. If one examines the title of one of the works of Carmelite St. John of the Cross, you will see that in his writing, "The Ascent of Mount Carmel". The title itself already integrates the image of a pilgrim ascending a mountain where he can be absorbed in God alone - reaching the heights for Him at the top of the mountain, but still rooted on solid ground.

What Carmel can teach all today

From the early Carmelites, one can learn the value of solitude and silence in a prayerful seeking of Christ. You can also learn the value of detachment from worldly concerns and earthly desires. Moreover, since the symbol of "hermit-pilgrim-mendicant" entails a totally different world from what all know in present day life, a question for reflection can still be posed: how much can one give up something to be in union with Christ? One's response to this question depends entirely on one's particular walk of life. But, whatever is one's present situtation, the ground and direction of Carmelite spirituality is really to live in simplicity; to be more charitable to the poor; and to understand our calling to be plain stewards of the Lord's blessings. In conclusion, Carmelite spirituality calls all today to give more time for solitude and prayer, and to see that the Christian life is sometimes like climbing a mountain, as a poor pilgrim, and to be alone in his search for God. This "retreat" can lead anyone to be revitalized with a renewed spirit, and an ardent desire to serve God and others again in the very circumstances in which he is.