INTRODUCTION This book does not wish to supplant any of those which deal with
Carmelite history or spirituality. It asks only to be allowed to take its place beside
them and seeks to be a help in making better use of them.
Let me explain. In recent years quite a few studies
have appeared on various aspects of Carmelite and Teresian history, and hitherto
unpublished manuscripts have been edited. Understandably, these various contributions lie
scattered in Journals or hidden in specialist series, until a new synthesis can
incorporate their correction of antiquated views and the clarification they have brought
to several obscure points.
The need for such a new synthesis has been felt for
some time, especially by young members of the Teresian Carmel who study the history of
their Order for the first time and by St. Teresa's own daughters, who have always had a
keen historical interest and want to know what recent research has contributed to an
understanding of their history
While we wait for such a synthesis, and perhaps
also by way of preparing the ground for it, I offer these pages and call the reader's
attention particularly to the subtitle of the book. It is not really a summary of
Carmelite history; it is more a summary of the most important points in that history in
the light of the most recent research. Anyone who wishes to know more about the subjects
dealt with in each chapter will find in each a guide to further reading.
Naturally I devote special attention to the period
in which the Order had its beginnings. This is the necessary point of departure not only
for any historical research but for any renewal which would wish to guarantee its success.
The brevity with which I teat of other periods does not mean that they are not important;
it is due rather to the lack of any serious work on them. Nevertheless, I do try and bring
together sufficient information to enable the reader to form some idea of the general
progress of the Order down the centuries and to acquire sufficient background to be able
to tackle all those other books which, as I have said, it is not my intention to supplant.
The publication of this book (1978) coincides with
the Silver Jubilee of my religious profession. May I therefore offer it as a token of
gratitude to those brethren whose fellowship I sought on that day in 1953, and express the
hope that I may be able to offer them a more complete synthesis for my Golden Jubilee.
I.Moriones.
Bibliographic Note.
No one can undertake a serious study of the
Teresian Carmel without consulting the collection of source material being published under
the title Monumenta Historica CarmeliTeresiani (MHCT). To date four volumes have
been published: vol. I (1560-1577) and vol. II (1578-1581), Rome 1973; vol. III
(1582-1589), Rome 1977; vol IV (1590-1600), Rome 1985.
Then there is that great mine of information, Fr.
Silverio's Historia del Carmen Descalzo en España, Portugal y América (HCD), 15
vols., Burgos, 1935-1953.
Other works will be indicated as necessary, and all
of them will contain their own suggestions for further reading.
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