The activities of the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Wiśnicz (1630–1782)

Abstract

Commencing with the words spoken by Stanisław Lubomirski, the founder of the monastery, in 1641, in the presence of King Władysław IV, that „the religious fraternity of Wiśnicz should strictly follow their religious discipline”, this study outlines the activities of the Discalced Carmelites in Wiśnicz, noting that the first and most fundamental aim of their apostolic religious life is fidelity to the charism and the living testimony which St. Teresa of Jesus, the reformer of the Carmelites, expressed in the words: „operibus magis, quam verbis doceant”.

This study shows the activity of the monastery ad intra and ad extra. The first section elaborates upon the formation of novices and seminarians, the role of the richly stocked monastery library, the Provincial Chapters held in Wiśnicz, the care and management of goods and the maintenance of the facilities.

On the other hand, in the ad extra section, there are descriptions of sacramental ministry, preaching of the Word of God in the monastery church, the promotion of local vocations, travels for the purposes of evangelization, the writing activities of the religious men and the specific apostolate of the Order (to spread devotion to Blessed Mary with a special promotion of the Scapular, the devotion to St. Joseph, to St. Teresa of Jesus and giving spiritual direction to the Discalced Carmelite nuns, as well as evidence of assistance provided by them during periods of exile due to wars and plagues).

In a nutshell, the Discalced Carmelites of Wiśnicz knew that you need contemplata aliis tradere and that suprema lex is salus animarum.