Jerome Gracian and the Teresian Reform

Abstract

This article, found in the archive of Fr. Joachim Smet (1917-2011), presents us with a concise overview of both the complexity of the  time of the Teresian Reform and of the personality of Jerome Gracian himself. It brings clarity to the different roles played by the key  players, Doria, the Nuncio Ormaneto, St. Teresa and a host of others. Smet explores the evolution, both positive and negative, of this  whole period, but even more so he gives us an insight into Gracian himself – his strengths and personally acknowledged weaknesses.  He points out that it is important not to see the conflict as Doria-Gracian but rather as Gracian-Reform. Towards the end of this article,  published in honour of the late Fr. Smet, through a comparison of St. John of the Cross and Jerome Gracian, Smet invites us to reflect  on perhaps a deeper reason for the fracture in Gracian’s vocation. Apart from the very useful footnotes, the article begins and ends  with an indication of how any evaluation of this important figure in the Reform of Carmel might be seen today.