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April 7, 2005
John Paul the Great--Third Order Carmelite
I've never really made much of this claim, because there is a natural tendency on the parts of humans and human institutions to claim as their own one they recognize as great. However, I finally found a page that (1) has "documentary" evidence that this statement is true (by this, I mean something other than second-hand assertions and claims--I wanted it straight from the Pope's "mouth"/hand) and (2) has one of the most atypical pictures of Pope John Paul I've seen.
I guess I'm just slow about coming around to things because my standards of proof are exceedingly high. But this is an interesting excerpt from a brief biography on the USCCB website:
He entered Krakow’s clandestine theological seminary in 1942, a risky step under the Gestapo’s watchful eyes. Always drawn to the mystical and contemplative, at one point he considered joining the local Carmelite order instead of the diocesan priesthood. But his cardinal told him: “Finish what you’ve begun,” and the local Carmelite director is said to have turned him away with the words: “You are destined for greater things.”
This passage argues for the logic of a tertiary connection. Oh well, as I said, I'm a bit slow to embrace these things.
Posted by Steven Riddle at April 7, 2005 8:49 AM
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Comments
Steven,
I had heard he was a third order Carmelite when I was in grad school. There was never much "playing it up" by the Carmelites I know so, I have long wondered if he was or not. It certainly fits with who he was.
Posted by: Katherine at April 7, 2005 9:14 AM
Dear Mr. Riddle,
Does George Weigel's biography mention this? I can't remember (and it's at home).
Cheers -
bw
Posted by: Bill White at April 7, 2005 12:11 PM
Like you, I always like some other documentation on these things. Too bad there isn't a "Snopes" for this sort of thing! :-)
Posted by: Julie D. at April 7, 2005 12:14 PM
Dear Mr. White,
I don't believe so, that's one reason I've always wondered about it; however, I am not expert on it, and the biography is massive.
shalom,
Steven
Posted by: Steven Riddle at April 7, 2005 12:16 PM
JP2 the Great was indeed a secular Carmelite and did his doctoral thesis on St. John of the Cross.
We always claim him as 'one of our own".
Posted by: MOI at April 9, 2005 1:18 PM
He was turned away from the Carmelites because he broke his leg and the orders cannot accept candidates who have handicaps that may need extensive attention in the future.
As a secular Carmelite, he was a friend of the order and started the process to canonize more Carmelite saints than any Pope in history. If not secular Carmelite, he possessed a Carmelite heart and in the photo the scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, given to all Carmelites at profession, is clearly visiable.
Posted by: Deacon Phil at April 10, 2005 5:03 PM