Venerable Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Campos - RJ - Brazil

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church - Campos - Brazil

When the Carmelite Order arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 1590, they settled in a small chapel near Guanabara Bay. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the order built a large convent and renovated the chapel, referred to as the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo. Building of that church started around 1761, and was probably directed by Portuguese  architects. The Carmelite Friars, has been throughout the centuries the stage of many significant events of the Brazilian Branch of the Carmelite Order. In the mean time other churches, convents and monasteries were built by the Carmelite Friars of the Ancient Observation in all over the country, especially in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais States (Ouro Preto and Mariana Cities).  

The existence of Carmelite Third Orders in Brazil is a tradition, thanks to the heritage received from the Carmelite Friars and Sisters. Many of these sodalities have been continually existing for more than 200 years. They are, as usual legacy of the Portuguese language, titled  as "venerable".

                                             

The Venerable Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Campos - RJ  recognizes Friar  Francisco de Santa Maria Quintanilla as the founder. Rev. Fr. Quintanilha was elected Prior Provincial of the Carmelites three times at least. The Sodality, existed until the year 1849, without having a defined regulation. The same year, the statures were approved either by the Prior Provincial and Dom Pedro the II, former Emperor of the Country.  In 1752  Friar Francisco de Santa Maria Quintanilla, now Carmelite Prior Provincial, released the canonical approval of the Carmelite Third Order of Campos City.

Over these 260 years of existence, the Third Order has undergone several changes, concerning both to  regulations, but also changes in its ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The sodality had a strong spiritual impulse in 1922, when the Diocese of Campos dos Goytacazes City was erected by His Holiness Pope Pius XI. On being appointed as the first Diocesan Bishop, Dom Henrique Mourao deliberated actions that definitely benefited the Third Order from Masonic influences of that time. Rev. Bishop D. Mourao then designated a Committee pro government and affairs of the Order until 1941, when the new bishop Dom Octaviano Albuquerque took his seat and approved the second reform.

The last step, however, would put the Sodality of the Third Order of Mount Carmel in accordance with the rules of the Carmelites Tertiaries, an event occurred in 1952 (under Pontificate of Pope Pius XII), being appointed that time Monsignor Antonio de Castro Mayer as newly Diocesan Bishop . Thanks to efforts  of Rev. Bishop Dom Castro Mayer the Third Order and its members have reinvigorated the genuine catholic spirit, with well defined statutes, within the Rules of the Carmelite tertiaries assumed from that time until the present day.

The statutes were brought again to review, as another reform of the Carmelite Lay Brothers Rule took place in 2003. A new Third Order Chapter was installed with all members voting for the modifications, to adapt the Third Order into the Rules. It was during the Novena and Feast of Our Patroness, Our Lady of Carmel in July 2010 that the new statutes were officially made public and publ'ished.  It is stated in the current statutes that the Carmelite Brothers and Sisters recognize the Prior Provincial (Saint Elias Province SP - Brazil) as their superior, The Bishop of The Apostolic Administration St. John Mary Vianney as the Pastor. Guidance and Spiritual Direction shall be received from the priests of the same Apostolic Administration, including the reception of the Sacraments and attendance of the Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Latin form. The approved statutes also states that prayers and all the liturgy shall be remain in as per traditional discipline.

The government of the Third Order consists of:  Spiritual Director (Priest), Brother Prior, Sister Prioress,  Counselor Members (Three Brothers and three Sisters) Novice Master, Novice Mistress, Visitors, Sacristy Brother/Sister, Accountant, Procurement Brother & Secretary

The Campos' Church of Our Lady of Carmel -  joy of the Colonial Barroc Style 

The church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has witnessed several restoration projects, including the preservation of a magnificent Baroque main altar – one of the most beautiful examples of this style in the State of Rio de Janeiro.  The exterior appearance  of the church is modest, but hides its Baroque style of an ancient time inside.  In reality the church was  build up with a small convent attached.

At the entrance one can sees, the semi-circular arch crowned by a golden Carmelite Coat of Arms. The altar frontispiece is designed in a way to honor the Church Patroness the Queen of Carmel with many wood carving flowers. On top of it two angels suggest worshiping and veneration of the sacred place - the Atrio 

To the right and left small wood carving altars serve as adorn while call the visitors attention to the Suffering images of Jesus Christ.
 

The church conforms to the Portuguese Barroc Colonial Style, in other words: a single nave, with a wide main chapel and two  separate side chapels. The left side-chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Love and the right side chapel only stands an altar for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, now serving as passage way (gallery)

Erected in the 18th Century the church calls the everyone attention for  its beauty and splendour making it one of the most visited sacred places in Campos City, the interior of the church is calm and quiet, as it invites the visitors and devotes to Our Lady of Mount Carmel to moments of reflection and mental prayer. 

A new restoration project is being undergone in the Church. The ceiling, the hand made wall painting with sacred icons and some of the deteriorated carving pieces are being recovered and will be very soon again object of admiration.

Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Images - Click Here