This past week, the RC Universal Church celebrated a rather obscure Feast Day, known as "Our Lady of Mount Carmel." Mount Carmel is situated outside of Jerusalem and its’ Christian claim to fame, is that, it was the "place of prayer" for Carmelite Hermits in the 1200’s. Carmelite Hermits, largely lay people, came from Europe, to Mount Carmel, for solitude, fasting and contemplation. The Discalced Order of Carmelites as they came to be known, remained in rudimentary form until they congregated in Europe. St. Teresa of Avila was the first female Carmelite to create a monastery and an accompanying rule of life in the 1500’s in Spain. The other co-founder of the Discalced Order of Carmelites was a young Spanish friar commonly known as St. John of the Cross. (The word Discalced means "without shoes")

The contribution of three major Carmelite Saints has been a necessary and tremendous gift for the entire RC Church and I gladly rejoice in this. These three saints are: St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Therese of Lisieux. Each one of these Saints contributed an essential element of Carmelite Spirituality and provided a great teaching and legacy not only for the Carmelite Order, but, more importantly, for all Christians who aspire to "perfect union with Jesus Christ" in life and prayer.

St.John of the Cross was a Carmelite priest in Spain in the 1500’s. He was a contemporary of St. Teresa of Avila, but, 20 years younger than her. John did not follow strict enclosure, as he went about doing spiritual direction, and reform of Carmelite monasteries, however, he did spend many an hour in his "room" called a "cell". There in his cell, he wrote spiritual poetry and one 4 stanza poem was the "The Living Flame of Love." The Living Flame is perhaps what St. Paul refers to when he says, "it’s no longer, I who live, but, Jesus Christ in me." Experiencing Christ within us as this "living flame" is indicative of a maturity in Christ, that is necessary for our complete relationship with Christ and for our Christian Ministry. St. John’s teaching and guidance is welcome instruction for anyone attracted to a profound intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Then, there is St. Teresa of Avila. Her major contribution was not so much the writing of the Carmelite rule, though, members of that order, may disagree. For me, her major contribution is her image of the soul as journeying through a mansion with many rooms to the ultimate place of "perfect union with Christ." She understands and details what a soul yearning for total union with Christ will experience along their journey, particularly describing the "purifications" that a soul will encounter on the Way. In fact, one of her greatest writings is entitled, "The Way of Perfection." Her speciality is prayer and knowing how the Lord guides a soul to Himself through seven major stages.

It is important to say, that while the "original" works of St. John of the Cross and of St. Teresa of Avila might prove to be a challenge for the modern reader, there are various authors who have interpreted their work for contemporary understanding.

Lastly, there is the Carmelite Saint, St. Therese of Lisieux who wrote her autobiography, "The Story of a Soul" around the turn of the last century. She teaches us all about the way to holiness, which is to love in all things and in all ways. St. Therese emphasizes humility, simplicity, and love in all things as the way to best love Jesus Christ and humanity. Her teaching is described as the "Little Way", that little way, being "Love". Her autobiography also reveals how well she knew Jesus Christ as her spouse. Indeed, all three of these great Carmelite Saints describe and teach us about their "espousal love with Jesus Christ." The Carmelite Saints and the Carmelite Tradition provide the spirituality and theology of the espousal union with Christ for the RC Church. Therefore, it is fitting, that these three Carmelite Saints are considered by the Roman Catholic Church to be "Doctors of the Church."

Indeed, each of them created a different element of Carmelite life and spirituality, yet their teaching, guidance, and Carmelite Legacy remains fruitful for the entire RC Church. It does us well to delve into their lives and their teaching, to see and reflect on how we, who are living and working in the world, may also advance toward "perfect union with Jesus Christ." Truly, had it not been for these three Carmelite Saints, I would not have understood my own spiritual experiences and my union with Jesus Christ.

Let us give thanks for these three Great Carmelite Saints and I hope you remember them upon the next Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Before closing, I should note that the "original" Carmelite Hermits on Mount Carmel dedicated their lives to the Blessed Virgin Mary, hence, Mary remains central to the Order’s life and devotion.

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