The first Carmelite Tertiary

I confess to my great shame that till today I had never heard of Blessed Jane of Toulouse (d.1286 – feast day today) and yet, to my astonishment, I find that she is traditionally regarded as the first Carmelite Tertiary.  There is some uncertainty about her story but it is thought that Blessed Jane (or Joan) lived in Toulouse during the 13th century. A Carmelite monastery was founded there in 1240 which exposed Jane to the Carmelite lifestyle and spirituality.  In 1265 when St. Simon Stock, a 13th century reformer of the Carmelites, was passing through Toulouse, Jane met him and requested to be affiliated with the Carmelites. Simon agreed and Jane became the first Third Order Carmelite.  She vowed herself to perpetual chastity and applied herself to following the Carmelite Rule. In addition to many daily holy practices and penances, she reached out to the community and worked to help the sick and poor. She encouraged the boys of the town to assist her in service of the poor and also helped them discern whether or not they were called to be Carmelites.  Isn’t this last a marvellous vocation in itself? Apparently she was valued by the friars as a counsellor and adviser.

Intercessions:

Brian Davis – cancer

Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela) - cancer

Agnes Rees RIP.  A great prolife worker who died recently before she could be taken into formation

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David - housebound

Sophia – blind infant