The Mystical Space of Carmel: A Commentary on the Carmelite RulePeeters Publishers, 1999 - 279 pages Mount Carmel, viewed as a holy place by Jews, Christians and Muslims, is where the prophet Elijah is venerated. For many centuries hermits have followed his example and monks regard him as their Father. During the crusades, around 1200 A.D., a small group of hermits settled around the spring of Elijah to lead a contemplative life there in silence and solitude. To the first Carmelites this geographic location was a mystical space in which to live in the presence of God alone. Albert, patriarch of Jerusalem, gave them a life rule (1206-1214) which, at the time of their expulsion by the Saracens in 1247, was adapted to new circumstances by pope Innocent IV. In consequence, the mystical space of Carmel with its contemplative life is experienced wherever they are given a place and God calls them. The commentary presents the Carmel as a spiritual model which is ideally suited as accompaniment on the spiritual journey of all who know themselves called to a life in God's presence in the desert of their life. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Request petitio | 6 |
The Text of the Carmelite Rule | 17 |
The Opening Words salutatio or prologus | 39 |
The Introduction exordium | 47 |
Exposition | 58 |
17 | 64 |
Common terms and phrases
Albert Albert's Rule armor armor of God autem basic provisions become Ben Sira breastplate brothers canonical hours Caput Carmelite Rule Cassian cenobitic chapter chastity church Cicconetti cincture comes common refectory contemplation Decem libri devil discernment divine eating elementary exercises Elijah eremitic eschatological Eucharist everything exordium exposition faith fasting and abstinence Fathers field of tension final goal formula fuerint God's attributes hermits holy human Ibid Innocent interior John Cassian justice keep letter live Lord means meditation mendicant Messiah midst monks Mount Carmel Mystical Transformation night NPNF obedience one's oratory ourselves Paul person perspective petitio Pope Innocent IV practical objective prayer praying prior priorate prophetic psalms purity of heart reading reception refectory religious Rule of Carmel Salutatio salvation Scripture separate cell silence solitude soul spiritual structure Thess things tion Titus Brandsma vestrum vigil VII-XIII virtues vobis Vulgate Waaijman words