Mary, Joseph and the Lay Saints of Carmel Our Theme
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Mary, Joseph and the Lay Saints of Carmel Our theme is Carmelite Transformation: A Lifelong Journey. It’s essential to remember that lay people were essential to that journey from the very first day. Mary and Joseph, who traced out the first steps on the journey, were a working class couple with very little education, except for religious values, like all devout Jews. Their lives revolved around Jesus and his needs - truly Christo-centric. Even Jesus himself lived most of his public life as a layman. He only became the eternal high priest when he offered his life on the cross. The original western Christians who made their way to Mount Carmel during the Crusades were largely lay hermits, who hoped to imitate the simple, reflective life of Mary in her house at Nazareth, according to John Baconthorpe, one of the earliest Carmelite theologians at the University of Paris in the 1300’s. These hermits were not timid recluses, but vigorous lay preachers who also prized their silence and solitude. These hermits collaborated to design a simple existence of prayer and activity, based on the long tradition of serving God on Elijah’s mountain. Their individual cells were the primary point of contact with God, but they also gathered each day for the Eucharist (unusual for a hermits’ community, and therefore significant for these people). It’s very important to remember that the original community in the Wadi Ain’ es Siah was almost entirely made up of lay men. According to Albert’s Rule, there would have been enough priests to make daily Mass possible, but that would not have been many. The only distinction the Rule makes was not between lay people and clerics, but between those who could read and those who could not. As the military situation in the Holy Land began to deteriorate, the hermits made the difficult choice to migrate back to Europe. Earliest destinations included Flanders, Sicily, southern France, and the east coast of England. Some of the new foundations were quiet hermitages, but others were in the noisy working-class neighborhoods of cities. The hermits rapidly took on the characteristics of mendicant friars, sharing their prayer, community, and ministry with the working poor. Although it was not until 1452 that the papal bull “Cum Nulla” allowed the official incorporation of women as Carmelites, as well as lay societies of men and women, there were more than a few UN-official affiliations. Many people during the previous 250 years who associated themselves with Carmelite communities informally. Without any formal structures, those individuals followed the Carmelite way of seeking the will of God, and building a positive attitude toward God, other people, and themselves. Here, then are a few relatively unknown lay people who dedicated their lives to the ideals and virtues of Carmel. Avertanus: LEGEND ONLY! A Carmelite semi-brother & pilgrim with exceptional virtues, probably from Limoges. Returning from a pilgrimage to Rome and holy places in Italy when he died at Lucca. Buried first in San Pietro, then San Donato. Romeus: Companion of Avertanus, maybe a Carmelite too. Died a few days later, and buried with him. Bodies moved to San Donato, popular tomb later enriched by Renaissance sculptor Matteo Civitalli. San Donato of Lucca was one of the earliest centers of lay Carmelite activity (1294). Franco Lippi of Siena: ANOTHER LEGEND! A nobleman, possibly a soldier of fortune, who lived a scandalous life. Conversion led to penitential pilgrimage and charitable work for the needy. Popular with working brothers. Joan of Toulouse: Real person, late 14th century. Good family, but strong Marian devotion. Lived as a recluse alongside Carmelite church walls in Toulouse. Lots of prayer, vigils, sacrificial living. Encouraged others to pray. Miracles after her death. Transfer of her body to the Cathedral after Carmelite church was destroyed (1805). Leo XIII beatified her 1895. Ludovico Morbioli: (1433-85) Bolognese artisan, very lax in religion. Neglected his wife, Lucia Tura. Nearly died in Venice @ 30, which sparked a conversion. Returned home, adopted simple Carmelite gray habit and penitential lifestyle. Preached conversion and self discipline in Ferrara & Modena. Refused medication in his final illness. Baptist of Mantua wrote of him. Probably not a true Tertiary. Frances d’Amboise: Duchess of Brittany with holy background via mother-in-law. Marriage was not good. Her husband Pierre may have been abusive, but she saved the quality of his rule as the “holy duchess.” A widow @ 30, refused marriage to future Louis XI & others. Reformed friars at Bondon helped her found sisters’ community. John Soreth adapted Rule & Constitutions for her house, and brought nuns from Liege (1463). Insisted on no special preference 5 years later when she joined the community herself, but still was elected prioress for 17 years. Nuno Alvarez Pereira: (1360-1431) Father was officer in Knights of St. John & so he grew up with knights and their romantic ideals. Admitted to court of King Ferdinand at 13 & was knighted the same year. Married Lady Eleonora de Alvim at 16, and had 3 children. Involved in succession dispute and war for Portugal’s identity. Was always outnumbered in his battles, but never lost. Credited Mary with his success, but also insisted on a moral army, handled with great genius. After his victories, built 8 churches dedicated to Mary. Founded Carmo in 1387, the most beautiful church in Lisbon, but with conditions on prayer & discipline for the Carmelites who lived there. Always popular, but gave all his wealth away. At 63, joined the Carmelites as a working brother to dedicate himself to prayer & penance. Royal funeral. Isidore Bakanja: (1887-1909) Belgian Congo worker on a rubber plantation. Catholic at 18, and very devoted to Mary. Tried to encourage others to pray. Saw his scapular as a mark of identity and dedication, and refused to discard it. Died as the result of a severe beating. A priest asked him on his deathbed to forgive his killer, and he replied that he already had, and would pray for him in heaven. .