Feast of Saint Berthold of Mount Carmel

(d. 1195)

St. Berthold of Mount Carmel, also known as Bartoldus of Calabria, was born in France, the son of a Count.  He excelled at his studies and was ordained a priest.  Berthold’s brother, Aymeric, became the Latin patriarch of Antioch.  The two joined together to participate in a Crusade to the Holy Land.

While in the Holy Land, Berthold traveled to Mount Carmel and built a monastery and church dedicated to the Prophet Elijah.  He gathered together a number of hermits scattered throughout Palestine to live together in imitation of the life of the great prophet as recorded in the Old Testament.  Berthold became the group’s superior and stayed with the community at Mount Carmel for 45 years until his death in 1195.

It was the life and work of St. Berthold that laid the foundation for the Carmelite Order, whose rule was approved by Pope Honorius III in 1226.

St. Berthold’s feast day is March 29.

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Berthold was a priest in Palestine. There were many living as hermits throughout the region. Berthold united them to live in a community on Mount Carmel. He helped start the Carmelite Order, which is still large and very active today. As the first superior of the order, he created their Rule of Life.”

From an account of Saint Berthold

Saint Berthold of Mt. Carmel, pray for us.

Be not afraid!  And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always.  Holy Family, pray for us.  Amen.