Discalced Carmelite Spirituality
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Patron of Thorne and Crowne

Discalced Carmelite spirituality, rooted in the ancient Carmelite tradition and profoundly shaped by the reforms of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross in the 16th century, is characterized by an intense thirst for union with God through a life of prayer and contemplation. The term "Discalced" means "shoeless," signifying a return to a more austere and simple way of life, wearing sandals as a sign of poverty and penance.

Here are the core tenets of Discalced Carmelite spirituality:

Prayer as Friendship with God: Central to Carmelite spirituality is the understanding of prayer not merely as formal recitation but as an intimate "loving friendship" with God. St. Teresa of Avila famously defined mental prayer as "nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us." This emphasizes a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Contemplation: Contemplation is seen as a free gift of God, a profound deepening of this friendship where the soul is drawn into loving awareness of God's presence. While cultivated through regular prayer and spiritual practices, it is ultimately God's initiative. This often involves periods of interior silence and recollection.

Interiority and Solitude: Discalced Carmelites seek to cultivate an "interior castle" within the soul, a place where God dwells. This involves a commitment to interior solitude, even amidst community life or active apostolates, fostering a constant awareness of God's presence.

Allegiance to Christ and Imitation of Mary: The Carmelite life is lived "in allegiance to Jesus Christ," striving to conform one's life to Him. The Blessed Virgin Mary is revered as the Mother and Patroness of the Order, serving as a model of faith, humility, and profound receptivity to God's Word. Devotion to Mary is expressed through various means, including the wearing of the Brown Scapular.

Apostolic Zeal: While deeply contemplative, Discalced Carmelite spirituality is intensely apostolic. The profound union with God cultivated through prayer is meant to overflow into service of the Church and humanity. This "apostolic zeal" is not necessarily expressed in outward activities for all members (especially cloistered nuns), but in a fervent desire for the salvation of souls, often offered through prayer and sacrifice.

Evangelical Self-Denial and Purification: The journey towards union with God involves a process of purification and transformation of the heart. This includes evangelical self-denial, embracing poverty, detachment from worldly comforts, and the "dark nights" described by St. John of the Cross, which are periods of spiritual dryness and darkness that purify the senses and spirit, leading to deeper union with God.

Community Life (Fraternity): While emphasizing personal prayer, Discalced Carmelites live in community, fostering a familial spirit of charity, mutual support, and shared spiritual journey. This fraternal life is seen as a crucible for growth in virtue and a reflection of the unity of the Church.

The Rule of St. Albert: The original Rule of Life given to the hermits on Mount Carmel by St. Albert of Jerusalem in the 13th century continues to guide Carmelite life, emphasizing meditation on Scripture, liturgical prayer (especially the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours), and a balance of prayer, manual labor, and concern for the needs of others.

Key figures who embody and articulate Discalced Carmelite spirituality include:

St. Teresa of Avila (Teresa of Jesus): The foundress of the Discalced Carmelite reform, a Doctor of the Church, known for her practical wisdom on prayer and her writings such as The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection.

St. John of the Cross: Co-founder of the Discalced Carmelite friars, a Doctor of the Church, renowned for his mystical theology and profound poetry, especially The Dark Night of the Soul and The Ascent of Mount Carmel, which describe the soul's journey to union with God through purification.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face): A Doctor of the Church, known for her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood, emphasizing trust in God's merciful love and offering small daily acts with great love.

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity: Known for her spirituality of the indwelling Trinity and her profound desire to live as a "praise of glory" to God.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein): A philosopher and Jewish convert who became a Carmelite nun, martyred during World War II, known for her integration of philosophical thought with Carmelite spirituality.

In essence, Discalced Carmelite spirituality is a path to profound intimacy with God, lived out through a disciplined life of prayer, contemplation, and self-sacrifice, all rooted in love for Christ and devotion to Mary, and ultimately oriented towards the service of the Church and the salvation of souls.

Carmelite Devotions:

Here are some of the most common and significant Discalced Carmelite devotions:

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular:

Our Lady of Mount Carmel: The Carmelite Order is deeply Marian, tracing its origins to the hermits on Mount Carmel who dedicated their first chapel to the Blessed Mother. Mary is considered the Mother and Patroness of the Order, and the model of the contemplative life—one who "pondered all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19).

 The Brown Scapular: This is perhaps the most widely recognized Carmelite devotion. Tradition holds that Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock in 1251, giving him the Scapular and promising special protection to those who wear it devoutly and die clothed in it. It's not a magical charm, but a sacramental that signifies consecration to Mary, a commitment to live a Christian life in imitation of her virtues, and trust in her maternal intercession. Wearing the Scapular is an external sign of an interior commitment to prayer and holiness in the Carmelite spirit.

 Devotion to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague:

        This devotion has its roots in the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Prague in the 17th century. The statue, originally a royal wedding gift, became known for numerous miraculous favors attributed to the Infant Jesus.

        The devotion emphasizes Christ's humility in becoming a child, and encourages a childlike trust in God's providence and power. It also speaks to the paradoxical kingship of Jesus, hidden in weakness and vulnerability. Many prayers and novenas are dedicated to the Infant Jesus of Prague.

Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus:

        This devotion gained prominence through the revelations of a Discalced Carmelite nun, Sister Marie of St. Peter, in Tours, France, in the mid-19th century. Our Lord revealed to her His desire for reparation for blasphemy and the profanation of Sundays.

        The devotion calls for prayers of reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus, particularly through the "Golden Arrow" prayer, which is believed to wound Jesus "delightfully" and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy. It encourages contemplation of Christ's suffering and the desire to console Him. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who was given the religious name "Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face," had a profound devotion to the Holy Face.

Devotion to St. Joseph:

        St. Teresa of Avila had a profound love and trust in St. Joseph, seeing him as a powerful intercessor and a model of prayer, silence, and humble service. She encouraged her nuns to have great confidence in his patronage. Many Carmelite monasteries and churches are dedicated to St. Joseph, and devotion to him is integral to Carmelite life.

 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:

        Given their emphasis on interior prayer and union with Christ, Eucharistic adoration is a natural and deeply cherished devotion among Discalced Carmelites. Spending time in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is a common practice, fostering a personal relationship with Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.

 The Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross):

        Contemplating the Passion of Christ is fundamental to Christian spirituality, and Carmelites often engage in the Stations of the Cross as a means of entering more deeply into the suffering and love of Jesus.

These devotions are not ends in themselves, but pathways that facilitate the Carmelite charism of deep contemplative prayer and union with God, flowing from and leading back to an intense love for Christ and the Church.