It is not surprising that an attempt at reforming the Order after the death of Blessed John Soreth should originate outside it. Louis d’Amboise, reforming bishop of Albi, replaced the community of Albi with poor students from John Standonck’s Collège Montaigu in Paris. Cardinal George d’Amboise, like his brother, Louis, a dedicated promoter of reform, established the Congregation of Albi (1502). In 1503, the cardinal also undertook the reform of the studium of Paris in the Place ...

The general chapter of 1451 elected Blessed John Soreth, one of the great priors general in the history of the Order. Born in Caen around 1395, he entered the Order there and went on to study at the University of Paris. From 1440 until his election as prior general, he was provincial of Francia. He was one of those persons in the 15th century alive to the need for renewal in the Church. Through him, Carmel joined ...

In the first decade of the 15th century, a movement of reform originated in the Tuscan province. Originator of the reform was Jacobo di Alberto, prior of the convent of Le Selve near Florence, first mentioned as “a house of observance” at the provincial chapter of 1413, which confirmed its special constitutions. Jacobo’s successor was Bl. Angelus Mazzinghi (d. 1438), who was also the first to make profession in the reform. Mantua and Geronde in ...

Religious fervor had already begun to decline in the second half of the 14th century; the laxity which is only too apparent in the 15th century, the Age of the Renaissance, is but an acute form of old diseases. From the middle of the century, general chapters begin to invoke sanctions against the neglect of the divine office. The chapter of 1354 complains that silence after complin, “alas, is observed very little.” Eating and drinking in ...