Preaching in the Carmelite Tradition

Abstract

In the course of a few decades the Carmelites, who started up as an eremitic community focused on the prayerful listening to the  Word of God, adopted the life-style of the new orders of apostolic fraternity (Mendicants), taking on the ministry of preaching that  was one of their major characteristics. Studying the constitutions of the Order from 1281 up to the present, the author shows how  earnestly the Order has always promoted preaching. Preachers were expected to be well prepared for their ministry and to live  coherently with what they preached. The constitutions include instructions regarding what is to be preached and what is to be  avoided. The author notes that the early saints of the Order were great preachers, but at the same time excelled in the contemplative dimension that continued to characterise the Order. A few prominent preachers from various centuries are also presented. After  analysing the tradition, the author concludes that Carmelite preaching should strive to be biblical, Christocentric and Marian.  Carmelites should take great care that their preaching springs from their experience of God and invites listeners to seek their own experience of God.