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
History of the Order.
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.
Saint Albert of Jerusalem.
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)
The Carmelite Rule.
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.
The Fraternal Aspect of the Rule.
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.
The Carmelite Tradition.
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.