On April 24, 2021, the 500th anniversary of the presence of the Carmelite friars in Mesagne was celebrated, dating back to 1521. Recent studies have revealed that on that very date, the keys to the Sanctuary of San Michele were handed over to the Religious community. The religious community of the Mesagne Convent, the only one founded in the last century, is part of a larger religious entity: the Neapolitan Province of the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance, with its Provincial Curia in Bari. It includes communities in Bari, Palmi (RC), Foggia, and Caivano (Na). The province comprises 22 friars, all established in 1900.
The Carmelite friars trace their origins to a group of pilgrims who settled on Mount Carmel around 1200. Mount Carmel, located within the hilly mountain range stretching about 23 kilometers in front of the Gulf of Haifa in the Holy Land, was chosen by the Prophet Elijah, a great prophet of the Old Testament. Some believers initiated a contemplative way of life on that mountain, adopting a cenobitic form of brotherhood dedicated to following Jesus Christ in the sharing of faith and goods, resembling the early Christian community of Jerusalem as presented in the Acts of the Apostles.
“The Carmelite Order defines itself as ‘A Praying Brotherhood in the Midst of the People of God,'” looking to Mary as a model of discipleship, following Jesus Christ and obeying Him with a pure heart and a clear conscience.
Wherever the Carmelites are present, they have always affirmed and shared with everyone the primacy of faith and the joy of living the Gospel with all its demands among and for the brothers. Indeed, the choice to build their convents in the most popular areas of cities testifies to this lifestyle.
The Marian devotion, lived intensely in a personal relationship with the Virgin, is highlighted by the sign of consecration that is the scapular. This scapular, a maternal sign of protection, was announced by the Virgin to St. Simon Stock, the Prior General of the Order, in the apparition of 1251 (Aylesford).
In this Jubilee Year, we do not intend to live with just a simple celebration. Instead, we desire to re-read through history, culture, mystical experience, social integration, and service the contribution made by the Carmelites to the people of God, reflecting the deep-rooted presence in our city of Mesagne.
A text from a few years ago, created by the late Archpriest Don Angelo Argentiero in collaboration with Freelance Nancy Motta, was titled “Mesagne is its Madonna.”
Mesagne and the Our Lady of Mount Carmel are a unique reality, as reminded by the decision of the city chapter around April 30, 1651, to place the unique patronage of the Virgin of Mount Carmel over the city of Mesagne.
For all these reasons, a Scientific Committee has been established to address the pandemic period, reflecting on the aspects mentioned, and hoping for the publication of a text in memory and support of the entire work and dedication of the Carmelites to the city and the city’s affection and participation towards the Carmelites.
The Committee is composed of:
Prof. Urgesi, Prof. Guastella, Prof. Liliana Giardino, Prof. Luciana Petracca, Prof. Katiuscia Di Rocco, Prof. Raffele Casciaro, Architect Cazzato, Prof. Brunella Bruno, Dr. Tinelli, Prof. Manuela De Giorgi, Prof. Oda Calvaruso, with the collaboration of Giuseppe Radaelli, Prof. Francesco Scalera, and the freelance photographer Nancy Motta.
Fr. Enrico Ronzini
Prior of the Mesagne Convent
