About Us

CARMELITES OF ZIMBABWE

Carmelites are ordinary people who give witness to an extraordinary reality – the abiding presence of God. It was the motivating force for Elijah whose spirit continues – “the Lord lives, in whose presence I stand” and “with zeal, have I been jealous for the Lord God of Hosts.”

 

From the Latin for brother the ‘friars’ of the Carmelite Order began not as a religious order but as a small band of mostly lay people who came together and formed a community on the slopes of Mount Carmel in the Holy Land at the beginning of the thirteenth century.

 

Over the centuries many people have felt called to Carmel, some as religious friars or nuns others as lay people.

 

Today most though not all friars are ordained priests but the identity as ‘brother’ remains the most fundamental aspect of a Carmelite friar’s vocation.

 

Unlike monks who live in largely enclosed monasteries often in remote places, the notion of being ‘in the midst of the people’ is very important for the friars’ way of life.

 

The material support of friars is also different from that of monks who historically live off their own farm produce or from renting out land. The Carmelite friars, however, are a mendicant order depending entirely on the providence of God in the form of the charitable support of the people they serve.

CARMELITE ZIMBABWE HISTORY

The Coming of the Irish Carmelites

From 1890 the entire area of Rhodesia was entrusted to the Jesuits. It was the policy of the Jesuits to parcel out their vast area to any Missionary Congregation which showed an interest. Bulawayo and Wankie were given to the Marianhill Fathers. The Fort Victoria area was given to the Bethlehem Fathers from Switzerland while the Jesuits retained the Salisbury and Umtali areas. The Eastern highlands or Eastern districts, a most scenic part of the country was posing problems for Bishop Chicester, the Bishop of Salisbury. He had very few priests and on the termination of World War 2, he offered this area to any interested group of Missionaries. The Irish Carmelites showed an interest and they were invited to Rhodesia by Bishop Chicester. During 1946 the first group of Carmelites namely, D. Lamont, A. Corbett and L. Flynn arrived in the country. Father A. Corbett wrote the following amusing story of how they were `welcomed` to Salisbury!! “It was all so new to members of a religious Order that had no missionary tradition, yet it was a great adventure. It was seven o`clock on a November morning in 1946 when our train pulled into Salisbury station. Our heads were at the windows looking out for someone to meet us. The train jerked to a halt at a platform that was almost deserted except for a lone clergyman who was dressed in crumpled khaki and wore a wide soft hat with a floppy brim. We climbed down but he did not move until we walked up to him. Then without shaking hands he gave up a crisp `good morning` and looking at a big silver watch which he wore in his breast pocket said sharply `you`re late`. Not exactly a red carpet welcome but that was the way with Father Seed, S.J. whom in years to come we got to know and like so much.

 

The coming of the Australian Carmelites

About 1952 Brother Aloysius Farnsworth came from Australia. Aloysius was an extraordinary genius!! He actually pulled the wool over the eyes of Sean Dunne and that was not an easy task!! He was stationed with Sean Dunne and he was a genius at impersonating others and somehow got a considerable amount of money out of Sean by pretending he was a friend of Sean, the whole transaction was done over the phone!! Aloysius became interested in forestry and land husbandry and later in Credit Union activities. Early in 1955 three other Australian Carmelites came and were first stationed at Triashill Mission. Gerard Monganti, Berthold Dowd and Augustine Parsons were three very big and tough men in every sense of the word. Father Morganti was asked to work in the new Carpentry school at Triashill, Father Dowd was transferred to Saint Benedicts. Father Morganti and Augustine Parsons soon followed Father Dowd to St. Benedicts. Father Morganti became the priest in charge, Father Dowd ministered in the outschools and Brother Augustine managed the farm. It was difficult for the brothers from Australia as they were only in the country for a short time and they lacked the mission experience. While priest in charge, Father Morganti constructed many school classrooms, built the dining room and kitchen for the Brothers and Sisters. He also constructed the Novitiate buildings for the Carmelite Sisters which was situated near the central mission. It was a great shock to many people when Father Monganti died suddenly from heart failure at the age of 47 at Saint Benedicts during 1961. Father was buried at Saint Benedict`s cemetery. Father John Lamont, brother of the Bishop came to the Umtali Diocese during 1957. Father Lamont was a member of the British Province.

 

The coming of the American Carmelites

Fathers Paul Feeley and Charles Hegarty from the New York Province of Saint Elias arrived in the Umtali Diocese during 1959. Both stayed at Saint Therese Mission in Chiduku where they studied the Shona language. Paul Feeley was then transferred to Saint Andrew`s Mission in Marange. Father Paul in time built a very fine Church at St. Andrews, funded by the St. Elias Province. Charlie Hegarty was first assigned to St. Andrews and then transferred to Regina Coeli where he ministered with Senan Egan. Father Hegarty returned to his Province during 1965. Father Matthias des Lauriers and Martin Millar came to the Umtali Diocese during 1961, after some time Father Matthias ministered at Saint Patrick`s Mission Nyanyadzi while Martin Millar was assigned to Avila

Unlike other Religious Orders who have specific founders, the Carmelite Order has its origin in a group of hermits on Mount Carmel in Palestine or modern Israel. The hermits followed a common Rule which was written for hermits living the kind of eremitical life common in Palestine in the 13th century. These hermits on Mount Carmel can be seen as a group of pilgrims who came to the Holy Land and had stayed on to live a life of prayer and silence in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets. A sketch of their way of life is given by Jacques de Vitry, Bishop of Acre at the time: “Others imitating the saintly and solitary man, the Prophet Elijah, lived apart on Mount Carmel, near the fountain of Elijah, dwelling in little cells in the rocks”.

The hermits built a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady and they seemed to have lived in caves in the surrounding hills. About the year 1210 they approached Albert, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to ask him for a `formula of life` to guide them. Albert gave them a Rule of Life which received the approval of Pope Honorius in 1226. The hermits were known as The Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, or Carmelites. The Carmelite Rule, though written between 1206 and 1214 is still very much in tune with the spirituality of the present time.

 

It begins and ends with Christ. The first hermits were noted for their spiritual attachment to the Prophet Elijah and to the Mother of the Lord. The Prophet who sought the face of God is patron of the Order. Following the era of the Crusades, the Saracen invaders began menacing the Christians. Being forced to flee their homes and place of prayer, to avoid possible massacre, the Carmelites agreed that any brother who wished to leave Mount Carmel and live the Rule in other countries would be allowed to do so. Some on leaving the Holy Land went to Cyprus and Sicily about 1237. Around the same time they went to Italy, France and by 1240 arrived in England.

 

Within sixty years the Order grew to 150 `communities` in many countries, such as the Holy Land, Sicily, England, Cyprus, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. In Europe they adopted the mendicant way of life like the Dominicans and the Franciscans.

There is solid historical grounds when speaking of the man who compiled the Rule. He is well known from different sources and had a distinguished career both in Italy and in the Holy Land and was sent on several delicate diplomatic missions by Popes as `a man outstanding in life, learning and reputation`. In 1205 he was chosen to be Patriarch of Jerusalem.

 

He arrived in the Holy Land in 1206 and took up residence in Acre as Jerusalem was occupied by the Saracens and continued his excellent spiritual and administrative work for which he was already distinguished. Albert wrote a Rule for the group of hermits on Mount Carmel sometime during his term of office. He was assassinated on the 14th of September 1214. The following notes were taken by J. McGrath during a lecture given by Patrick Mullins, O.Carm on Albert of Jerusalem, on the 17th of September 2014 at the Prophet Elijah Priory, Nyazura.

 

September 14th, 2014, the 800th anniversary of the death of Albert of Jerusalem. The Prophet Elijah, 9th Century BC. The 3rd Crusade, 1187 to 1192. Mount Carmel, stronghold of the Saracens. (Muslims) After 1192, Christians live on Mount Carmel. Early 13th Century, Hermits on Mount Carmel. Hermits on Mount Carmel, following the example of Elijah. In imitation of Elijah, associated with Elijah. Elijah, a figure of inspiration. The Hermits living in separate cells. `The Prior`, living at the entrance An Oratory, in the middle of the cells. No evidence of Hermits before the late 12th Century. Albert Avogadri.

 

City of Parma. Albert. The Bishop of the Diocese of Vercelli, Italy, 1185 – 1205. A member of the Canons of the Holy Cross of Mortara. Expert both in Civil and Canon Law. His personal life, extraordinary in many ways, a true son, he possessed all the virtues of gifts of humanity. Mediator between Church and Empire, also a Papal mediator. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, 1206 – 1214. Loved and respected by all people, Christians, Saracens, Pagans.

 

Formula Vitae, the Formula of Life, 1206 – 1214. First Hermits, Brothers, lived in cells, meals, prayers, in their cells. Came together for the celebration of the Eucharist. Albert, the Formula of Life. Lay people and their formula of life, perhaps describing a way of life. Perhaps a structure for the `3rd Order`, a formula of life for lay people!! Albert, from a `lay perspective` to Religious. Hermits, brothers, on Mount Carmel. The Formula, Christ, the Gospel, Saint Paul. The Rule. Innocent the 4th during, 1247. Pope Innocent, included the `vows`. Hermits, Brothers, brotherly life, Friars in active ministry. The Renaissance, an awakening of critical scholarship of relation to history. Historical evidence. (Other pages available on Albert of Jerusalem. From Carmelite Contact, Rev Patrick Mullins, O.Carm. Citoc Information)

We may never know with certainty the precise date of the formal beginning of the Order or the circumstances which brought the hermits together near the fountain of Elijah. Some time about the year 1210 they had become a definite community and decided to ask Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem, to give them a rule of life. The Carmelite Rule keeps to essentials but beneath its brevity, there is a great depth of spiritual insight and even a certain originality.

 

Its very simplicity has given it a durability that has enabled it to last for eight centuries. If we bear in mind that the average life-span of Religious Orders in the Church is between 200 and 300 years, it will be seen that the Carmelite Order is among those which are exceptionally blessed. The quality of the Rule is gentle, short but deep with a biblical flavour.

Acts 2:42-47. The Jerusalem community which was founded by Jesus, in his Spirit, is the ideal community for Christians. It would not be strange that the first Carmelites took the Jerusalem community as an inspiration for their living in allegiance to Jesus Christ. cf. Acts 2: 42-47; 4:32-35. Like the first Christian Community at Jerusalem, the Carmelites emphasize the value of fidelity to the Word listened to in common.

 

The Eucharist has an important significance in the formation of the Carmelite Community – The centrality of the Eucharist – Sharing of goods – Responsible for the needs of the others – Faithfulness to their purpose – Service of friendship – Fraternal reconciliation. The Carmelite fraternity described in the Rule, on the inspiration of the Jerusalem community, is based on and nourished in the Word of the Lord, listened to alone and in common. Rule 4. 10, 11, 14, and cf. Con. 19 and 20.

Throughout its history, some constant values have emerged. – A searching for the face of God in Prayer, Community. – Service in the midst of the People. – A docility to the Word, listening to the Word. – A zeal to be faithful to the Lord in serving the Church. – A witness to fraternity. – A particular relationship with Christ. – A concern for the situation of the Church. Fraternity, Prayer and Ministry go hand in hand.

 

Integration of the above – Carmelite Tradition. – Lectio Divina. To experience the power of the Word. – Silence and Solitude. Traditional values in the Order. – Carmelite Family. – Sharing the Word and the Presence of Christ with the people in their daily lives. – Justice and Peace. The oppressed, solidarity with the oppressed.

CARMELITE MISSIONS

The Carmelite Logo

The design of the logo is connected with the Prophet Elijah. The Carmelites trace their origin to the hermits who lived `in the spirit of Elijah` on Mount Carmel in the 12th century.

 

The peak or point in the centre of the shield is taken to represent Mount Carmel, the scene of the Prophet`s greatest triumph over the false prophets of Baal and the dwelling place of the followers of Elijah.

 

The star in the lower part symbolizes Elijah and the two stars above it represent Christ and Mary.

 

The sword symbolizes the power and zeal of Elijah. In the scripture Elijah appears again and again as God`s Prophet, speaking out boldly against abuses and reminding the Israelites of their special calling to live as God`s people. The sword is sometimes shown as flaming, to suggest the ardent and zealous spirit of the prophet. ( cf. 1 Kings 18:20ff. Ecclesiasticus 48;1) – Around the crest are grouped twelve stars.

 

The number is meant to refer to the crown of the woman in the Book of Revelation who has always been taken as a figure of Our Lady (Revelation 12:1). – The motto or legend consists of the words of Elijah (1 Kings 19:10 “With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts” “Zelo zealatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum”). These words express the whole life of the Prophet Elijah, the very spirit that moved him.

Elijah displayed remarkable courage and zeal, he showed himself to be a true servant of the Lord. Elijah, the man of God, the zealous servant, has left his mark on salvation history. He is venerated by Christians, Jews and Moslems. From the origins of the Order on Mount Carmel at the dawn of the 13th century, the Order has venerated Elijah as its model, he belongs to the `roots of the Order`.

The two inspiring figures of the Order. Elijah and Mary. The relationship between the first Carmelites and the Prophet Elijah and the Virgin Mary is more than just a relationship of name – it is a similarity of ways of life with the two figures. Living with a prophetic heritage, modelled on the Prophet Elijah and the Virgin Mary. Elijah – a man of God, ready to serve.

 

Mary – a listener, open to the Word and a model for our lives. The Prophet Elijah burnt with zeal for the Lord, cf. 1 Kings 19:10 and made his way to Mount Horeb, and even though he was tired, he continued to walk on until he reached his goal. Only at the end of his somewhat difficult journey did he meet the Lord in the murmuring of a gentle breeze, cf. 1 Kings 19:1-18.

 

Looking to him as an example, the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel understand more profoundly that only the one who has trained himself to listen to God and to interpret the signs of the times can meet God and recognise Him in the events of daily life. God speaks in many ways, even in ways which can seem insignificant.

CARMELITE MINISTRY

The Carmelites and Our Ministries

The Order has its origin on Mount Carmel in Israel. Today, the Order is found in all continents and our apostolates are as diverse as that of the Church itself. One characteristic of the Order down through the centuries is its readiness to accommodate itself to the needs of the people of God. We are a Religious Order who are committed to the care and needs of the Church in the world. The Carmelites are the successors of the hermits who lived in the spirit of Elijah on Mount Carmel in Israel.

 

We are called to share our commitment to Christ within a community of brothers, sisters or as members of the Carmelite Family. We are called to share everything with their brothers and sisters, our lives, wisdom, talents and our prayers. As Carmelite brothers and sisters, our life of poverty, chastity and obedience offers great freedom to work for the Lord and his People. The words spoken by the prophet form the motto of the Order, “I am filled with zeal for the Lord God of Hosts”.

As we are aware, Vatican 11 stressed the need for a renewal of religious life and asked each Order to re-examine its role, serving others and renewing itself for the apostolate in the modern world. Religious Orders were encouraged to look to their origins in order to discover their original inspiration and in that way to continue to contribute faithfully and loyally to the work of Christ in the Church.

ORIGINS

The Order of Carmelites has its origins on Mount Carmel, in Palestine, where, as we read in the II Book of Kings, the great prophet Elijah defended the true faith in the God of Israel, when he won the challenge against the priests of Baal. It was also on Mount Carmel that the same prophet, praying in solitude, saw the small cloud which brought life-giving rain after the long drought. From time immemorial, this mountain has been considered the lush garden of Palestine and symbol of fertility and beauty. Indeed, “Karmel” means “garden”.

 

In the XII century (perhaps after the third crusade, 1189-1191), some penitents-pilgrims who had come from Europe, came together near the “spring of Elijah”, in one of the narrow valleys of Mount Carmel, to live out their Christianity as hermits after the example of the prophet Elijah in the very land of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then and in later times, the Carmelites did not acknowledge anyone in particular as their founder, but remained faithful followers of Elijah who was associated with Mount Carmel through biblical events and through Greek and Latin patristic tradition which saw in the prophet one of the founders of the monastic life. In the middle of the cells they built a chapel which they dedicated to Mary, Mother of Jesus, thus developing a sense of belonging to Our Lady as Mistress of the place and as Patroness, and they became known by her name as “Brothers of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel”. Thus Carmel is deeply associated with Elijah and Mary. From Elijah the Carmelites inherited a burning passion for the living and true God and the desire to make His Word intimately their own in order to witness to Its presence in the world; with Mary, the most Pure Mother of God, they are committed to live “in the footsteps of Jesus Christ” with the same intimate and deep feelings which were Mary’s.

 

In order to have some juridical stability, this group of lay hermits turned to the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Albert Avogadro (1150-1214), who was then living at St. John of Acre near Mount Carmel. Between 1206-1214, Albert wrote for them a formula of life. Successive approvals of this formula of life by various Popes helped the process of transforming the group into a Religious Order, a fact which took place at the time of the definitive approval of the text as a Rule by Innocent IV in 1247. Thus the Carmelite Order took its place alongside the Mendicant Orders.

 

However, about 1235, the Carmelites were forced to abandon their place of origin due to the incursions and persecutions of the Saracens who were reconquering the Holy Land from the crusaders. Most of them went back to their country of origin in Europe.

 

Soon they increased and flourished in the sciences and in holiness. Later some women attached themselves to the monasteries of the friars and in 1452 became cloistered nuns living in their own communities.

 

In the XV-XVI centuries there was some relaxation of discipline in various communities, a fact greatly opposed by Priors General such as Blessed John Soreth (+1471), Nicholas Audet (+1562) and John Baptist Rossi (+1578), and by some reforms (among others those of Mantua and Monte Oliveti in Italy and of Albi in France) to put a stop to the spread of the abuses and the mitigations. The most famous reform is certainly the one started in Spain by St. Teresa of Jesus for the reform of the nuns and then, helped by St. John of the Cross and Fr. Girolamo Gracian, for the reform of the friars. The most relevant aspect of this reform of Teresa is not so much that she opposed the mitigations introduced in the life of Carmel, but rather her ability to integrate in her project, vital and ecclesial elements of her time. In 1592 this reform, called that of the “Discalced Carmelites” or of the “Teresians”, became independent from the Carmelite Order and grew rapidly in the congregations of Spain and Italy which were then united in 1875. Thus there are two Orders of Carmelites: “The Carmelites”, also known as of the “Ancient Observance” or “Calced”, and “The Discalced Carmelites” or “Teresians” who consider St. Teresa of Jesus their reformer and foundress.

 

In spite of this division, during the following centuries the Carmelite Order continued its spiritual journey. Many illustrious men and women gave new spirit to Carmel with their own spirituality and genius. There was also significant development among the laity with the institution of the Carmelite Third Order and the Confraternities of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel throughout the world. With the Reforms of Touraine in France, and of Monte Santo, Santa Maria della Vita, Piedmont, and Santa Maria della Scala in Italy, in the XVII and XVIII centuries the movement for a stricter observance spread everywhere.

 

At the dawn of the French Revolution, the Carmelite Order was established throughout the world with 54 Provinces and 13,000 religious. But as a result of the French Revolution the Order suffered great losses, such that at the end of the 19th century it was reduced to 8 Provinces and 727 religious. But it was this small band of religious who during the 20th century, with determination and courage, re-established the Order in places where it had been and also planted the Order on new continents.

 

The Carmelite Order Today

 

Since the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962 – 1965), Carmelites have reflected at length on their identity, on their charism, on what is fundamental in their lives and what is for them a “life-project”, namely “to live a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ and serve him faithfully with a pure heart and a good conscience” (Rule). They found their allegiance to Christ in their commitment to seek the face of the living God (contemplative dimension), in living in fraternity and service (diakonia) in the midst of the people. They see all this in the lives of the prophet Elijah and the Blessed Virgin Mary who were led by the Spirit of God. Looking at Mary and Elijah, it is easy for the Carmelites to understand, to interiorise, to live and to announce the truth that makes a person free.

 

Carmelites, conscious of being part of the Church and of history, live in a fraternity that is open to God and to people, able to listen and give an authentic response to the evangelical life according to their own charism, and they commit themselves to build the Kingdom of God wherever they are. Indeed they are committed to evangelisation in houses of prayer, centres for spiritual exercises, parishes, Marian sanctuaries, schools, religious associations; and to Justice and Peace wherever human dignity is trodden underfoot, especially among the poor, the marginalised, the suffering.

 

To this vast and varied challenge of the Carmelite friars, one will find in close collaboration: communities of cloistered nuns, Congregations of sisters, Consecrated Lay people, numerous groups of Third Order Lay members and Confraternities of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. All these groups, born of the Spirit throughout the centuries, and inspired by the Carmelite Rule are intimately united by the bond of love, of spirituality and of the communion of spiritual goods. They constitute the Carmelite Family in the Church. At present the Carmelite Order (the friars) is formed of Provinces, General Commissariats, General Delegations, Hermetical Communities and an Affiliated Community with a total of about 2,000 religious. They are found in all the continents.

NUNS

We came to Zimbabwe through the mediation of our Carmelite brothers who had been coming to Kenya for studies. It was from them that we came to know of how the Carmel is flourishing in Zimbabwe. I will mention but a few motivations that made us opt for a foundation in Zimbabwe, the first and the foremost is the existence of our Carmelite friars in Zimbabwe. This was a motivation because we knew that we will be spiritually taken care of. Our brothers will take the responsibility of chaplaincy, confessors, spiritual directors, and formation both initial and ongoing.

 

Another reason was that the Carmelite Order is flourishing in Zimbabwe. We thought that the Order will flourish more if it is whole. There was already the existence of the friars, Carmelite sisters, lay Carmelites and Confraternities but not Carmelite Nuns. Now that we are here, I suppose the body is complete and it can function better without much difficulty. It is also our desire and dream that the scent of Carmel should spread all over African Continent, this also was one of the motivation for building a foundation here in Zimbabwe.

 

The last but not the least of the motives is the joy of monastic life. We felt that it will be fare if we also create a place for some young Zimbabwean women to experience the joy of monastic life in a Carmelite way. It’s a gift that God gives on abandoning all for Him. We came to Zimbabwe on the beautiful feast of the presentation 2nd February 2015. It’s like love at the first sight! The moment my feet stepped on the ground on our arrival, I liked it. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country especially Mutare where we are.

 

I like the sight of the mountains all over the place and trees, it’s just so good. We have visited Mt Carmel Student House in Harare on our arrival, St Simon Stock Rusape, Prophet Elijah Priory – Nyazura, St Joseph’s Mission Sakubva, Kriste Mambo Novitiate House and School, Triashill – the oldest mission in the Diocese.