Putting on the virtues of Mary

Amanda C Dickie on the historic day which healed the ancient division of the Carmelite family
Fr Joseph Chalmers, Prior General of the Order of Carmelites and Fr Camillo Macisse, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, brought their orders closer when they led an historic celebration at Aylesford Priory in Kent, to commemorate the Feast of St Simon Stock and the 750th anniversary of the Scapular Vision. Fr Macisse said it was "a milestone" for Carmelites.
Friars, nuns and laypeople from both traditions gathered at their pre-Reformation home, now a retreat centre and shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and St Simon Stock, one of the earliest Prior Generals and credited with receiving the vision in 1251.
The historicity is questionable, being documented at a time of disputation with the Dominicans in the 14th century, concerning the
authenticity of the Order.
However, the wearing of the
brown scapular became one of the most popular devotions of the Catholic
Church. Fr Chalmers stressed the symbolic importance as a sign of commitment to put on the virtues of Mary and of "a listening and transformed heart".
Carmelites call themselves a family and, as with all families, there have been divisions and misunderstandings. The Order of Carmelites of the Ancient Observance and the Discalced Carmelites of the Teresian Reform separated after the Catholic Reformation.
The Discalced (meaning unshod) tended to be more contemplative, adhering to the teachings of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross, and the Order of Carmelites of Calced (those with shoes) whilst embracing the writings of the Spanish mystics, were more apostolic and prophetic, looking to the inspiration of Elijah and Mary.
The differences have lessened and under the leadership of Fr Chalmers, a 49 year old Scot, there has been a deepening of the contemplative dimension within his order. He sees contemplative prayer as intimacy which holds the charirn-. together and is for the whole Carmelite family.
Approaches to the Discalced
Mexican Fr Macisse, President of the Major Religious Superiors in 20(10 and a member of CLAR (Theological Commission of Latin American Religious), were favourably received and the two are working together to bring their Orders closer by issuing joint letters and collaborating on projects. They proclaimed 2001 a Marian year to highlight the 750th anniversary and deepen the understanding of Mary's place in Cannel and received a letter from Pope John Paul 11 declaring that he too wore the scapular.
During the Jubilee Year the two Councils met together for the first time on Mount Cannel, spiritual home of all Carmelites. This year they had a weeklong meeting at Aylesford culminating in the Carmelite Family Day Mass and celebration.
The Carmelites originated from a community of hermits living on Mount
Carmel, the mountain of the prophet Elijah, where he defeated the prophets of Baal. Cannel means an orchard, a place of fruitfulness, and the mountain was regarded as holy, a place where one could be alone with God. "Into the land of Carmel I have brought you to enjoy its fruit and its blessings" (Jeremiah 2:7).
Around 1210 the hermits asked Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem, to give them a rule of life. This became formalised as the Rule of St Albert, later approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1247.
The Rule is a way of life rooted in prayer, modelled on the Jerusalem community of the Acts of the Apostles, with Mary Mother of God at the centre.
The Carmelites have always held Mary in special relationship, not only as Mother of Cannel, but also as sister and close companion in the spiritual journey. They were the first Order to be named in her honour as the Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
following the crusades the hermits fled westwards, some coming to England ui 1242, establishing communities at Hulne in Northumberland and at Aylesford. Crusader Sir Richard de Grey gave them his manor house on the banks of the River Medway and a church was built, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, a devotion the Carmelites brought with them from Palestine.
St Simon Stock led them in their change of lifestyle from hermit to friar and reputedly wrote the Carmelite Marian anthem, Flos Carmeli. The only Order to look directly to the Old Testament by celebrating the feast of Elijah, the prophet's words became their motto, "I am filled with great zeal for the Lord God of Hosts" (1 Kings: 19:14).
The special relationship with Mary is symbolised by the scapular worn over the habit, a symbol of service under the patronage of Mary. As Elijah had adopted his spiritual son Elisha by giving him his cloak, so Mary adopts her Carmelite children with the scapular. The first reference to it is in 1231 when the brothers are instructed to wear it day and night, and the Order's Constitutions stipulate that the white cloak (hence the name White Friars) should be open in front so that the scapular could be seen.
The earliest account of the Scapular Vision is 150 years after Simon's death, a useful tool in countering arguments that the Carmelites were a new Order not validated by the Lateran ruling of 1215. Simon died on 16 May 1265. Devotion to him spread and a feast instituted in his honour in Bordeaux, where he died, spread to the whole Order in 1564.
His remains were brought
back to Aylesford in 1951. The scapular tradition gave rise to Confraternities whereby lay people could be united to Carmelite spirituality by reception of the habit in miniature. Pius XII in 1950 reminded wearers that it was not a talisman but a sign of consecration. Pope John Paul 11 calls it a sign of entrustment and dedication. At Aylesford Fr Macisse said that Mary was "the teacher of the itinerary of the contemplative attitude", which we take on symbolically by wearing the pieces of cloth or medal, discovering God in all circumstances, listening and believing and bearing witness in the world. Fr Chalmers told me that if Mary accompanies us as a sisterly companion throughout life she will also be present at the moment of passing into eternal life.
This is a more helpful approach to what has sometimes superstitiously been regarded as the Sabbatine privilege. Fr Chalmers has done much to regenerate the Order, overseeing eight new foundations in Africa and Asia, believing Carmelite spirituality appeals to young people because it is about relationship, not regulations. In Italy and the Netherlands mixed communities of "the Family" of friars and lay people, married and single, are flourishing. At Aylesford, Sr Elizabeth Obbard is a feminine presence working alongside the friars in retreat giving and spiritual direction.
Summing up the historic occasion Fr Wilfred McGreal, Prior of Aylesford, said that today there was access to so much information that more than ever there was a need for a contemplative, ruminative attitude in order for God to speak with us and through us. He is following in Fr Malachy Lynch's footsteps, the charismatic figure who in 1949 refounded the Friars, as the Order is popularly known, by seeking to make it a "creative space-.
Fr Malachy engaged artists and craftsmen to build and restore, including Adam Kossowski, whose beautiful ceramics embellish the chapels and Rosary Way. Fr McGreal similarly encourages people to give of their talents in fund raising projects. The 15th century Gatehouse is crumbling, ongoing repairs are needed to the 13th century structures and the 17th century barn is disintegrating. This could provide shelter for pilgrims and become an exhibition centre supporters are asked to sponsor a beam. All this will cost nearly one million pounds.
Forthcoming artistic ventures include a Polish choir from Cracow, the Salvation Army Band, a picnic concert of popular music and a charity dinner with Colin Dexter. An avenue of flowers is planned for the Priory entrance and people can buy a bulb for £2. Aylesford has for many years been an ecumenical centre attracting visitors of all traditions.
Now there are plans for an inter faith centre and cultural exchanges. The Prior envisages an "Open Door" whereby no one is excluded. The prizewinning statue of Mary at the Shrine has her arms extended — reaching up to God and out to all. This is the reality of the Scapular Vision, as in the words of the General's recent letter to all Carmelites, they are "Open to God's Future".
Amanda C Dickie is a Lay Carmelite