Displaying items by tag: Calendar of Feasts and Memorials

17 April Memorial

Baptist Spagnoli was a literary genius. He devoted the fruitfulness of his extraordinary literary ability to the service of the Order and the Church. His Apologia pro Ordine Carmelitarum (Apology for the Order of Carmelites) stands as the principal testimony to his love for Carmel, while his total devotion to the Church is attested not only by his poems in honor of Innocent VIII, Julius II, and Leo X, but also by all those writings that reveal his active engagement with the issues most deeply felt by Christendom at the time, such as, for example, the Obiurgatio cum exhortatione ad capienda arma contra infideles, ad reges et principes christianos (Admonition and Exhortation to Christian Kings to Take Up Arms Against the Infidels).

The events that were then disrupting the life of the nation also caused him to write. His verses Pro pacata Italia post bellum ferrariense (To Italy at Peace After the War of Ferrara), those of In Romam bellis tumultuantem (Against Rome in Turmoil from Wars), the poem Debello veneto commentariolus (Brief Commentary on the Venetian War), the Trophaeum pro Gallis expulsis produce Mantuae (Victory Ode on the Expulsion of the Gauls by the Duke of Mantua), and above all the De calamitatibus temporum (The Calamities of the Times), reprinted nearly thirty times between 1489 and 1510 alone, demonstrate how deeply the Mantuan felt the drama that was tormenting Italy in those years.

The friendships that bound him to distinguished figures of the time is proof of his high prestige in the world of culture. He was one of the most celebrated figures of the humanist movement, especially for his work Bucolica: seu adolescentia in decem aeglogas divisa (Bucolica or Adolescence Divided into Ten Eclogues), of which there are nearly 150 editions, more than a hundred of them in the 16th century alone, which is why his contemporaries, including Erasmus of Rotterdam, proclaimed him the Christian Virgil.

His poetic work, whose fame reached as far as Shakespeare with some even included in his play Love’s Labour’s Lost—influenced English literature in particular: Alexander Barclay paraphrased his eclogues, Edmund Spenser imitated him in The Shepheardes Calender (twelve pastoral eclogues), and John Milton in the Ode on the Morning of Christ’s Nativity.

The work required by the various offices entrusted to him and his intense literary activity did not distract him from the Carmelite ideals of the interior life and a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

The practice of the virtues and renunciation of the world form the theme of his De vita beata (The Blessed Life), a dialogue he wrote when he was barely sixteen years old; the aspiration to solitude and the desire for the presence of God are constantly found in his works and in his correspondence. In honor of Mary, he composed several odes and a three-volume poem, the Parthenices Mariana (Songs to the Virgin), which spread rapidly throughout Europe, as some seventy editions were published, fifteen in the fifteenth century and nearly fifty in the sixteenth. He worked to have the custody of the sanctuary of Loreto entrusted to his Congregation, which he obtained, albeit for only a few years, in 1489.

The six Parthenices composed in honor of the martyrs Catherine, Margaret, Agatha, Lucy, Apollonia, and Cecilia, and the poems in honor of St. John the Baptist, St. George, and other saints, constitute, together with the twelve books of the De sacris diebus (The Sacred Days), another example of his religious piety.

Impressed by the growing corruption of the clergy and the people, he expressed his reformist aspirations not only through his insightful literary works, such as the IXth eclogue De moribus curiae romanae (On the Customs of the Roman Curia), but also through a passionate speech delivered in the Vatican Basilica in 1489, before Innocent VIII and the cardinals. Some of his particularly harsh statements led Luther himself to rely on the authority of Baptist to take a stand against Rome. And in an Anthologia... sententiosa collecta ex operibus Baptistae Mantuani (Anthology of Sentences Collected from the Works of B.V.M.), published in Nuremberg in 1571, the Protestants went so far as to point to the Carmelite as a precursor of the German reformer. But it is worth noting the essential difference between the reformist spirit of Blessed Mantuano, who sought to work within the Church, and that of Luther, which was to lead to schism.

Adapted from the entry for Baptist Spagnoli by Edmondo Coccia in Santi del Carmelo, a cura di Ludovico Saggi Ocarm, Institutum Carmelitanum, Roma, 1972.

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Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
A New Blessed with Carmelite Connections

The year 2023 was the 75th anniversary of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen becoming a professed member of the Third Order of the Carmelites. He made his profession on July 17th, 1948, in the chapel of Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC. The prior general, Kilian Lynch, received the archbishop’s commitment.

Venerable Fulton Sheen is scheduled to be beatified on September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was declared Venerable in 2012, with a miracle involving a stillborn baby’s recovery approved in 2019. The future archbishop was born in El Paso, Illinois in 1895, although he later served as auxiliary bishop of New York (1951-1966) and bishop of Rochester, New York (1966-1969).

According to Allan Smith, director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Mission Society of Canada, Sheen loved Carmel and he kept up a lifetime of correspondence with many communities of Carmelites. He is quoted as saying of the Carmelites who prayed for him – “Your Carmelite prayers and sufferings do more good than all our preaching and hectic actions. We make the noise, we get the credit, we enjoy the consolation of a victory, seen and tasted. You are responsible for it and yet you cannot see the fruits. But you will on the day, when the Cross appears in the heavens, and every man is rewarded according to his works.”

Sheen also said “I want to cling onto Carmel for I love its love of Jesus. I refuse to give it up and like the blind man of Jericho, I shall go on shouting on to you continually to cure my blindness and my ills.”

Archbishop Sheen loved St. Therese and her devotion to the Holy Face.  He spoke and wrote often about her and this special devotion.

During his time as auxiliary bishop of New York, Sheen was a trailblazer for evangelizing using the then new medium called television. His program garnered 10 million viewers each week at its peak. His television show, Life Is Worth Living, won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality in 1953. The Emmy is still given today, an award recognizing one’s contribution by others in the television industry. Life Is Worth Living, aired from 1952-1957 discussing various aspects of Catholicism. Two similar programs, also featuring Sheen, followed in 1958-1968. Prior to television, Sheen appeared on the radio program The Catholic Hour from 1928-1952.

Sheen discussing moral issues of the day, often used a blackboard to make drawings and lists to help explain the topic. When the blackboard was filled, Sheen would move to another part of the television set, and request one of his "angels" (one of the TV crew) to clean the blackboard.

The website BishopSheenToday.com is one of the best resource libraries, on the new Blessed, featuring his many fine books, videos and audio recordings.

Inauguration of the Restored Chapel of St. Andrew (curated by Luca Venturi)

The traditional feast of St. Andrew Corsini, Carmelite Bishop of Fiesole, which takes place in the Basilica del Carmine in Florence on January 7, had a dual significance in 2026. There was the annual religious commemoration marking the passing of the Fiesole prelate in 1373. This year there was the inauguration of the restored chapel where Andrew’s remains rest.

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Stefano Manetti, bishop of Fiesole, in the restored chapel. Officials from the Ministries of the Interior and Culture, the Superintendence of Fine Arts, and the City of Florence, as well as members of the Corsini family, direct descendants of the holy bishop, attended.

In his homily, Bishop Manetti thanked all the various parties involved for working together to make such a beautiful and important restoration possible. He then recalled the figure of St. Andrew as an example of charity, apostolic zeal, and love for the poor.

The remarks by the various institutional representatives highlighted the importance of the work carried out, emphasizing the professionalism of the craftsmen involved as well as adherence to the timelines set by the PNRR project. The PNRR funds projects with European resources, focusing on the green transition, digitalization, sustainable infrastructure with a significant emphasis on urban regeneration and cultural heritage.

Special thanks also go to Fr. Raffaele Duranti who, as “host,” together with the community, oversaw the work of this very important restoration.

From Cammino OnLine (1/2026)

19 March Solemnity

The Carmelites' Promotion of Devotion to St. Joseph

From the 17th century to the present day, there have been countless Carmelite churches and monasteries dedicated to St. Joseph. The credit for this widespread devotion is due above all to St. Teresa of Jesus, whose fervent words are well known:

“I took the glorious St. Joseph as my advocate and patron ... I saw clearly that his help was always greater than what I could have hoped for ... If my word could carry weight, I would gladly dwell at length on recounting in detail the graces that this glorious Saint has bestowed upon me and others... People of prayer must be especially devoted to him, for I do not know how one can think of the Queen of Angels and all she suffered with the Child Jesus, without thanking St. Joseph, who was such a great help to them. Whoever has no teacher from whom to learn how to pray should take this glorious Saint as a guide and will not go wrong. May it please the Lord that I have not erred in venturing to speak of him” (Life, VI, 6,7,8).

St. Teresa identified with this typically Carmelite devotion, living it both through word and example. Feeling so moved by such an exalted love of predilection, she did everything possible to spread his veneration, and of the 17 houses she founded as many as 12 were dedicated to Saint Joseph.

Among her writings, she left the following: “Although you have many holy intercessors, be especially devoted to St. Joseph, who has great influence with God.”

Consequently, in the Teresian Carmel, a profound orientation towards Joseph developed.

The teachings of St. Teresa are reflected in the work on St. Joseph by Jerónimo Gracián and, after him, many other authors of the Reform as well. The preachers of the 17th century, following in the footsteps of Teresa of Avila, were often apostles and promoters of devotion to St. Joseph. Subsequently, there was a vast output of writings intended to illustrate the life and “glories” of Saint Joseph, and to develop a theological framework for them.

St. Joseph as father, protector, patron, and guardian of our Lord Jesus is the subject of the spiritual experiences of numerous glorious and luminous figures, of whom it is practically impossible to provide a list here in CITOC. But we select one: Thérèse of Lisieux who was also a devotee of the Holy Patriarch, fully understood Teresa’s spirit:

“I prayed also to St. Joseph to watch over me; ever since my childhood I had a devotion to him that blended with my love for Our Lady ... I was so well protected that it seemed impossible to me to be afraid” (Ms. A, 158).

In the OCARM branch of the Order, there are already 15th-century writings focusing on the figure of St. Joseph, such as those by the theologian Andrea Horuken in 1451 and the magnificent poems by Mantovano in Fastorum libri XII and in Parthenice I. In the 16th–18th centuries, there was no shortage of notable preachers and writers with a Josephine orientation. Raffaele “the Bavarian,” who published a History of St. Joseph in Naples in 1723, had a significant influence on devotion to the saint in the modern era within the convents and monasteries of the OCARMs.

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January 29th | Optional Memorial in the Italian Provinces)

Bl. Archangela Girlani was born Elanor Girlani in 1460 at Trino, on Monte Ferrato in northern Italy to a noble family. 

It is written in an old manuscript that Blessed Archangela lived her religious life so intensely that, just as the monastery was entitled "Saint Mary in Paradise", she and the other nuns, even though still here on earth, lived as if already absorbed into heaven.

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January 9th | Feast

Born in Florence at the beginning of the 14th century, St. Andrew Corsini  entered religious life in the Carmelite house in his native city. He was appointed Provincial of Tuscany in 1348 by the General Chapter meeting in Metz and the following year he was named bishop of Fiesole, near Florence. He governed his diocese well, becoming a model of charity and an eloquent preacher. 

He was distinguished by his zeal for the apostolate, his wise judgement and his love for the poor.

Read more on St. Andrew Corsini here

The Chapel of St. Andrew Corsini in the Lateran Basilica

January 8th | Feast

Peter Thomas was a true Carmelite, not only in his relationship to Mary as the Queen and Decor Carmeli, but also in the way he lived his life according to the customs of the Order. However, his special commitment and concern was primarily for the unity of Christians. He constantly strove for reconciliation between the Church of Rome and the Orthodox Christians who had separated from the See of Peter in 1054. He developed an intensive apostolic activity as a peacemaker and defender of the popes. He always preached reconciliation. Miracles and extraordinary signs accompanied his eventful life.

A fresco created in 1880 by the Munich painter Max Fürst in the Carmelite church in Straubing shows St. Peter Thomas surrounded by confreres caring for the needy and giving communion to the sick. However, the painting also points to an essential characteristic of the saint's piety: his fervent devotion to Mary, who appears to him with the infant Jesus in her arms, accompanied by angels, and assures him of her protection and blessing. Tradition also credits him with writing a treatise on the Immaculate Conception of Mary (De Immaculata Conceptione BMV). Four volumes of his sermons have also been preserved.

In 1366, his chancellor and friend Philippe di Mézières, of whom he was also a spiritual director, wrote the biography of Petrus Thomas. Noted Carmelite historian, Joachim Smet, edited the Latin text from hitherto unpublished manuscripts. (The introduction and notes are in English.) 

For more on St. Peter Thomas and his work, click here

Books Available from Edizioni Carmelitane:

The Life of Saint Peter Thomas by Philippe de Mézieres (Latin)
     Introduction and Notes by Joachim Smet, O. Carm.

The Bollandist Dossier (1643) on St. Peter Thomas, O. Carm.
     Edited and translated by Patrick Mullins, O. Carm.

The Revised Bollandist Dossier (1659) on St. Peter Thomas, O. Carm.
     Edited and translated by Patrick Mullins, O. Carm.

14 December Feast

Saint John was born, probably in 1540, in Fontiveros, near Avila in Spain. His father died when he was very young and he had to move with his mother from one place to another, while he tried as best he could to continue his education and, at the same time, to earn a living. In Medina in 1563 he was clothed in the Carmelite habit and, after a year's novitiate, was given permission to follow the unmitigated Carmelite Rule. 

He was ordained priest in 1567, after studying philosophy and theology at Salamanca, and, in the same year, he met Saint Teresa of Jesus who, a little while before, had obtained permission from the Prior General Rossi to found two communities of contemplative Carmelite Friars (later called the Discalced) in order that they might help the communities of nuns that she had established. A year later - during which he travelled with Teresa - on the 28th November 1568, John became part of the first group of Reformed Carmelites at Duruelo, changing his name from John of St. Matthias to John of the Cross.

To read more on the life of St. John of the Cross ...

For more on John of the Cross and His Eucharistic Spirituality ...

To watch the interview from 2022 with Dr. John D. Love, S.T.D., on the relevance of St. John's today, click here ...

Publications by Edizioni Carmelitane available at the Webstore 

5 December Optional Memorial

A native of Mantua, Italy, he was a Carmelite in the Mantuan Congregation and already ordained priest by 1452. For 35 years in the Carmelite church of his city, he was the spiritual director and rector of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whom he wrote a rule and a set of statutes.

Humble and gentle, he gave an example to everyone of a life of prayer, of generosity and of faithful service of the Lord. He was outstanding for his love of the Eucharist which was the centre of his apostolic life and for his devotion to Mary. He died in 1495.

29 November Optional Memorial

Peter Berthelot was born at Honfleur (Calvados, France) on Dec. 12, 1600, and as a young man went to sea, visiting Spain, England and America. In 1619 he went to India, where, as cosmographer and first pilot of the kings of France and of Portugal, he distinguished himself by his valor and genius. Proof of the latter are his Maritime Tables, sketched with great ability and preserved in the British Museum (Ms. Sloan 197). In 1635, while in Goa, he took counsel with his spiritual director, Father Philip of the Most Trinity, and consequently joined the Discalced Carmelites. He made his profession on Dec. 25, 1636, with the name of Dionysius of the Nativity. He was ordained a priest on Aug. 24, 1638. According to the testimony of the same Father Philip, he was an example of virtue to all the religious, both in the novitiate and after his profession. He was graced with the gift of contemplation; and more than once during prayer he appeared surrounded by heavenly splendors.

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