Carmel : a spirituality of beauty

Abstract

The dissertation studies the Carmelite spiritual tradition. The method used in this study was the interpretation of Carmelite mystical texts which I suggest offer new insights that may prove to be of value in the effort being made by the Carmelite Order to present its tradition in an integral and holistic way: the concept of beauty may hopefully emerge as the unifying motif in Carmelite spirituality. Three preambular sections set out the aim of the study to present the vision of God sub specie pulchri as the unifying thread in the history of Carmelite spirituality (within the limits of available resources); and summary identifications of the two key terms: Beauty and Carmel. The first chapter brings out the implicit allusions to the spirituality of Beauty in the foundational documents of the Carmelite Order - references to the wearing of God's armour (attributes), to the identification with Christ and to harmony in nature as in Carmel's life structure are all presented in the light of the biblical notion of beauty. The second chapter analyses the christo-centric spiritual journey of gradual self emptying aiming to arrive to reflect something of God's infinite beauty. The spiritual authors whose mystical writings shaped up Carmelite spirituality, among others John Baconthorpe, St. John of the Cross, St. Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi, Ven. John of St. Samson, St. Therese of Lisieux and Bl. Elisabeth of the Trinity are studied from this perspective of participation in the kenosis of Christ in our journey to the heavenly glory. In this chapter there is also a reference to the Carmelite liturgical tradition as the celebration of the participation in the Paschal Mystery of Christ. The third chapter puts forward for consideration the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel as an eye opener to divine beauty. In this chapter asceticism and mysticism are read from the perspective of an Elijan and Marian lifestyle, perceived as a harmonious unity between the via purgativa et illuminativa with the via unitiva. Carmelite marian texts chosen from the writings of John Baconthorpe, St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi and St. Teresa of Jesus are also analysed in this chapter. The via pulchritudinis is proposed as the most opportune way to present Our Lady to the people of God.