The Carmelite Charism Part 2
Fr. Daniel Mary, Prior of the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming, continues his teaching about the Carmelite Charism: Part 2. You can watch Part 1 here. He speaks about the Carmelite Charism where the Blessed Virgin Mary is connected to St. Elijah. How do these seemingly unconnected saints become the two patrons of Carmel? The ancient Carmelites claimed that they were connected.
The Connection between the Blessed Virgin Mary and Elijah
Arnold Bostius said that Mary is the rightful foundress of Carmel. St. Elijah is the greatest of the prophets. Tradition says that from his vision on Mt. Carmel, St. Elijah knew that Mary would be born Immaculate, choose the life of virginity, that she would bear the savior of the world, and the sons of the prophets would know the time of Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
It is for this reason that Arnold Bostius said that Mary is the bearer of the law of Elijah since Mary chose the life of virginity as did St. Elijah. He became the model for all monks from this vision he had. Mary then. According to tradition, was the catalyst for Elijah’s whole life and the sons of the prophets’ life.
This is the connection between the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Elijah. Many of the Carmelite fathers taught this. For this reason she was the foundress of Carmel.
The Carmelite Charism
Carmelites imitate St. Elijah in his solitary life of chastity. It is this chaste life of virginity that Mary lived also. Both lived a pure life, keeping their hearts for God alone. Both Mary and Elijah lived in the presence of God perpetually in deep union with Him.
