Anniversary of the first Discalced Friars foundation in Duruelo, on 28th November 1568
The Discalced Carmelite friars were founded on November 28, 1568, in the peaceful village of Duruelo, set amidst Spain’s mountains. This significant event in religious history was not simply a result of events in 1548, as some might mistakenly believe. Instead, it stemmed from the unwavering vision and resilient spirit of St. Teresa of Ávila, a remarkable figure in the Catholic Church known for her deep commitment to reform. Alongside St. John of the Cross and fellow friar Anthony of Jesus, St. Teresa set out on a significant mission to establish a new religious community focused on restoring the Carmelite Order’s original aim of contemplative prayer and intense solitude.
In its nascent stage, this community's formation unfolded in exceedingly humble and austere surroundings, a cramped, dilapidated stable, a detail poignantly captured in St. Teresa's own writings in her renowned work, "Book of Foundations." This stark beginning was emblematic of the founders’ steadfast dedication to the principles of radical poverty, simplicity, and humility, core tenets of the reform movement they sought to initiate. Their physical environment mirrored their spiritual aspirations, highlighting a lifestyle stripped of worldly distractions in pursuit of divine communion.
St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Ávila, both remarkably influential figures in Catholic mysticism and reform, set out on a shared mission to renew the Carmelite Order. This involved guiding the order back to its essential principles, which stressed strict adherence to monastic discipline, profound contemplative spirituality, and a life devoted to prayer. Over time, the Carmelite community had gradually strayed from these core values, increasingly adopting a more relaxed attitude that diminished the original zeal and dedication. Recognising this departure, Teresa and John aimed to restore and re-establish the order’s original strictness and sincerity, initiating a transformative movement into the broader context of Catholicism.
The foundation established in Duruelo, though modest in its beginnings, served as the first house for the Discalced Carmelites, known in Spanish as "Carmelitas Descalzos." From this humble start, the reform quickly gained momentum and widespread support, ultimately resulting in a formal schism with their counterparts, the "Calced" Carmelites, who continued to follow the earlier, unreformed practices. This vital separation was confirmed in 1593 when the Catholic Church officially recognised the Discalced Carmelites as an independent order, enabling them to develop their own distinctive identity and spiritual path.
Both St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross were later canonised as saints, celebrated for their exemplary lives of devotion and their significant contributions to the Church. Their legacy was further enhanced when they were declared Doctors of the Church, a distinguished title recognising their substantial influence on Catholic theology. Their extensive writings, rich in mystical theology, spirituality, and the complex workings of the human soul, continue to inspire and guide countless spiritual seekers across generations, leading individuals towards a deeper understanding of God and themselves.
As we commemorate this day, we acknowledge that it marks 457 years since that pivotal moment in Duruelo. This anniversary holds immense importance within the rich tradition of the Discalced Carmelites, serving as a powerful reminder of their enduring dedication to spiritual depth, meaningful reform, and a life rooted in contemplation and humility. The legacy of the Discalced Carmelites continues to thrive in modern society, expressed through a vibrant order committed to prayer, community, and a contemplative way of life. Their worldwide presence continues to enrich the spiritual landscape, inviting individuals from diverse backgrounds to embark on a transformative journey of faith and reflection.
Having the permission of these two provincials, I now figured that nothing was lacking. We arranged that Father Fray John of the Cross would go to the house and get it ready so that, in spite of all, it could be lived in. For me, what was most urgent was that the friars begin, for I was very fearful lest some obstacle would come along our path. And this they did. Father Fray Antonio had already gathered some of the things necessary. Insofar as we could, we helped him; although our help amounted to little. He came to Valladolid with great happiness to speak to me and told me what he had collected, which was very little. It was only with clocks that he was well provided, for he had five of them; this greatly amused me. He told me they were meant as a help to follow the daily schedule, which he wanted well fixed; I don't think he even had any bed yet to sleep in.
On the First or Second Sunday of Advent (I don't remember which of these Sundays it was), in the year 1568, the first Mass was said in that little stable of Bethlehem, for it doesn't seem to me the house was any better (It was the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 1568)... When I entered the little church, I was astonished to see the spirit the Lord had put there. And it wasn't only I, for the two merchants, my friends from Medina who had accompanied me there, did nothing else but weep. There were so many crosses, so many skulls! I never forget a little cross made for the holy water fount from sticks with a paper image of Christ attached to it; it inspired more devotion than if it had been something very expertly carved….The choir was in the loft. In the middle of the loft the ceiling was high enough to allow for the recitation of the Hours, but one had to stoop low in order to enter and to hear Mass. There were in the two corners facing the church two little hermitages, where one could do no more than either lie down or sit. Both were filled with hay because the place was very cold, and the roof almost touched one's head. Each had a little window facing the altar and a stone for a pillow; and there, too, the crosses and skulls. I learned that after the friars finished Matins, they did not leave the choir before Prime but remained there in prayer, for their prayer was so deep that when it came time to say Prime, their habits were covered with snow without their having become aware of the fact. The two Fathers recited the Hours with another Father from among those of the cloth who went to stay with them (although he didn't change his habit because he was very sickly) and another young, unordained brother who was also there. These two were Father Lucas de Celis and Brother José de Cristo, a deacon.
St. Teresa of Avila, (Book of Foundation, Ch 4)
Dr Nicholas Macedon, OCD,
Jeeva Jyothi Carmelite Institute of Spirituality (JJCIS),
Old Gandarvakottai,
Pudukottai - 613301.
Tamil Nadu, India
What's app - +91 - 9698453101
Excellently written.....
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