On Sunday, April 25, 2010, the Italian Carmelite priest, Father Angelo Paoli (1642–1720), will be declared blessed in the Roman basilica of St. John Lateran. He lived during the peak of the Baroque period and was a contemporary of the Discalced Carmelite Father Karl Felix Slavata (1640–1712), who, although from Telč, spent many years living and working in Rome and blessed the first chapel at the pilgrimage site in Kostelní Vydří towards the end of his life. At the same time – in 1707 – the Carmelite vespers set to music by G. F. Handel were also performed in Rome, which we wrote about in the second issue of last year's volume of our magazine. Let us now learn about the life story of this brother in the family of Carmel.
biographyHow do we perceive the legacy of Blessed Angelo?
Let us each take a moment after reading his biography to answer the first question for ourselves. Truly. Let us observe our spontaneous reaction to the testimony of his life as we have come to know it through these pages. And then, after a certain time has passed, let us return to it again – calmly and thoughtfully. May what we have learned about him settle nicely within us. It is remarkable that his beatification, which generations of Carmelites before us longed for, is ultimately granted to our experience. Let us therefore accept this divine gift with open hearts.
Additionally, let us add a few more thoughts. It is noteworthy how Father Angelo embodies the very example of what today resonates in Carmel as an ideal: from a deep love for God and from contemplating His mysteries should arise brotherly love and devoted service to others. Father Angelo saw the same Christ, whom he worshipped during his night prayers in the silence of the church, in the sick and needy whom he attended to. His union with Christ led him to share one mind and one will with Him. He saw people and the world through God's eyes, loving others with God and in God. Historically, Carmel has given the Church saints who were great teachers of spiritual life, prayer, and great mystics. Father Angelo is the Carmelite apostle of love for neighbors. In his life, mysticism manifested itself through compassion for the suffering, indeed through great solidarity with them and through diligent service for their benefit.
We mentioned various aspects of his piety: love for the Eucharist, for Christ's suffering and for the cross, and his relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. His life confirms the truth of the words of Benedict XVI:
“Saints, let us think for example of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, draw their ability to love their neighbor continually anew from the encounters with the Eucharistic Lord. On the other hand, this encounter gained its authenticity and depth precisely in serving others.”5
For many of us, his humor and joy will be a significant challenge. We mentioned that he comforted novices and the suffering in this way and overcame unpleasant moments prepared for him by his "admirers." Similarly engaging is his sense of beauty: for the beauty of nature (he loved mountains and hiking), for the beauty of music. He valued people and aspired to their happy lives. He did not consider merely physical health, nor only prayer and “dry” piety. His example encourages us to be willing to serve our neighbors, but also to be sensitive to the various forms of their poverty and suffering as well as what will help them and bring them joy.
If – by God's providence – the beatification of Father Angelo takes place in a year focused by Benedict XVI on the sanctification of priests, we can reflect in the light of Father Angelo's life example on the priestly vocation and service, but also on the necessary collaboration between priests and laity. What is often discussed today, Father Angelo lived very spontaneously and successfully.
(Compiled by P. Gorazd Cetkovský, O.Carm. from available sources.)
