A Provincial “Wall of Honor”

by Sal Lema, Director of Carmelite Communications

It’s been almost three years since my appointment as the first communications director acquired from outside the Carmelite community. Even though I am an ordained deacon, it has still taken me sometime to learn about and fully understand this contemplative group that I have come to appreciate and revere.

I answer directly to the Prior Provincial, in this case, the Very Reverend John F. Russell, O.Carm., and before him, the Very Reverend Leo McCarthy, O.Carm., but what about the others I wondered? Who carried the banner before McCarthy and who before him…who was the very first? This quest to learn about whom I am the spokesperson for led me to the provincial archives where I found these photographs.

There have been nineteen Provincial leaders in all from Cyril Knoll, the first Commissary General elected in 1864 to Anastasias Smits in 1881 and Pius Mayer in 1886, who was then elected as the first Prior Provincial. What a powerful group of men these are that carved out a Carmelite presence in our world. There wisdom speaks volumes more than I could ever uncover.

Wanting to learn more than is written about them, I developed what I am told is the first Provincial “Wall of Honor.” In the entranceway of the Communications Office you will find these distinguished photos prominently exhibited for all to see. They hold the wisdom of ages, the fire of St. Elijah, the prayerful motion of dedication. It is through their photos that the stories are heard, for those that witness the wall tell of their knowledge. They tell the account of those they have had the privilege to have served under, about those they heard about and about those they would have liked to have known. The history unfolds with each Carmelite’s awareness.

This Wall of Provincials will build with each new successor and will continue to grow through the stories presented. As the present day Communications Director, I bask under the wisdom of centuries of faith and commitment. And I discover more about these men who have dedicated their life to God with each tale, with each narrative, which each yarn, with each legend.

Who’s Missing from the Wall?

by Reverend Leo McCarthy, O.Carm.

One of our Provincials died while in office on April 26th (year withheld), so on May 5th (of that same year) a new Provincial was elected (on the third ballot). He resigned, though, from that office two days later, on May 7th, citing his “inability to cope with the serious problems that confront the Province.” Therefore, on May 8th, a different Carmeltie was elected Provincial (this time on the first ballot).

• What PCM (Chicago Province) Provincial served this shortest term of office?
• What office did this Carmelite subsequently accept?
• Why does his name not appear in our list of “Provincial Superiors” in the Carmelite Directory, nor on the “Wall of Honor” of past superiors?

Answers to these questions will appear in the next issue of the Carmelite Review. Click Here