Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Luanda, Angola)

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I . History

II . Description

III . Our Lady of Carmel

IV . The Order of the Discalced Carmelites in Angola

I . HISTORY

The first Discalced Carmelite Priests arrived in Luanda in 1659, coming from Portugal. At the heart of the Ingombota quarter, in the outskirts of the city, the priests founded the Convent of Saint Teresa, inaugurated on the 23^rd December that very year. Both the church and the attached asylum started being constructed in early 1660 and the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is likely to have been created before the works ended.

Both the erection of the bell tower and the enlargement of the church unfolded over the coming decades. The building works were virtually finished in 1689 – as per inscription on the main portico.

The vestry was ended in 1691, with the support of governor D. João de Lencastre. Afterwards, the ceiling was painted and both the nave and the chancel were tiled.

The canonization of Saint John of the Cross in 1726 was highly celebrated in a series of events organised and paid for by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with alms from all the faithful devotees, who significantly contributed to the decoration of the sacred space.

From 1795, the convent hosted the royal primary school of Luanda and, later, the Moral Theology class, attended by future clergymen.

With the extinction of the religious orders in 1834, the convent was abandoned and the church assigned to the Third Order of Saint Francis of Penance. The Public Security Police set their headquarters in the convent, later also granted to the Third Order of Saint Francis.

The church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was the seat of the Diocese of Angola and Congo for several different periods, the latest of which was between 1893 and 1897, while restoration works took place in the Cathedral – the church of Our Lady of Remedies.

The Parish of Our Lady of Carmel was created on the 20^th December 1906 and solemnly inaugurated on January, 1^st, 1907.

Several works were carried out in the church and the annexed buildings after 1908, namely the flooring of the nave and the restoration of both the vestry and the missionaries’ dwellings. The former convent housed at some point a primary school and also a department of the vocational school of Arts and Crafts attended by local children.

In 1931, during the Patron’s feast – 16^th July -, the high-choir collapsed, with the consequent loss of the famous painting representing The Death of Saint Teresa. The following years saw the accomplishment of many works, particularly the reconstruction of the choir; the bells from the bell tower were remelt, however, the original 18^th and 19^th century inscriptions were preserved. The beneficial works campaign conducted in the 1950’s included the restoration of the valuable paintings of the church ceiling and the lower-choir.

The whole set was classified as National Monument in 1945.

The Parish of Our Lady of Carmel has been under the custody of Dominican priests since 1998.

II . DESCRIPTION

The parish church of Our Lady of Carmel sits in the former Ingombota quarter. The monumental set is comprised of the church and the former convent of Saint Teresa of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, and is one of the most important baroque monuments in Angola.

On the main façade, highlight goes to the image of Our Lady of Carmel, placed in a shell-shaped niche with blue background; and the large portal with geometrical patterns in relief, topped with a cross and a globe – representing the World. The inscribed date of 1689 signs the ending of the construction.

Marking the assignment of the church to the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis, the upper part of the façade displays the Order’s coat of arms: circular shield surrounded by the Franciscan cord, with the caption SUPRA MONTEM CATHOLICA FUNDATUR TERTIUS ORDO EXULTET UNIVERSAE TERRAE (The Catholic Third Order was erected on Mount Carmel. Let the Faith of the entire Earth rejoice.), royal crown and bands of text with the words POENITENTIA CORONATA (Penance crowns).

The corners of the façade show two stone carved coats of arms of the Carmelite Order.

On the right hand-side, the portal leading to the former convent holds a coat of arms with the Portuguese arms and the Latin Cross.

The bell tower, which maintains its original layout, still houses the old bells of Carmel, remelt in 1945, with their original inscriptions. The central bell shows an image of Saint Joseph and the captions: JOSEPH. VIRVM. MARIAE. DE. QVA. NATVS. EST. IHS (Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born) and ESTE SINO.MANDOV. FVNDIR O. P. MINISTRO. FREI. VERÍSSIMO. DA ENCARNAÇAM. NO. ANO. DE 1732 (The casting of this bell was commissioned by Father Minister Brother Veríssimo da Encarnação in the Year of 1732).

The inside of the church, of remarkable beauty, combines in a particularly harmonious way the gilded wood carving of the altars, the tiling of the walls and the decorative painting of the ceiling.

At the entrance, the coat of arms of the Carmelite Order is represented on the portico. On the ceiling of the lower-choir, one can find the painting The Death of Saint Teresa, by masters Alípio Brandão (1916-1965) and Neves e Sousa (1921-1995), a replica of the famous missing panel.

In the Nave, the side walls are lined with late 17^th century blue and white tile ashlars, made in a Lisbon workshop.

The amazingly decorative painting of the ceiling was also restored by painter Alípio Brandão, in 1951-52. The central panels represent Carmelite themes: The Triumph of the Virgin of Carmel, The Transverberation of Saint Teresa of Jesus and The Vision of Saint John of the Cross.

The Chapel of Good Lord Jesus, on the left hand-side of the nave, was built on a later date. Over the entrance arch there is a panel with symbols of the Passion – crown of thorns and nails. The altarpiece holds the highly expressive image of Lord Crucified at the centre and the sculpture of Dying Christ at the base.

This chapel additionally houses two magnificent sculptures of Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, both from the former convent of Saint Joseph; and two more recent sculptures of Saint Anthony – donated by Bishop D. António Barbosa Leão (1907) – and Saint Joseph.

On the pavement, near the chancel, there is the tombstone of Brother D. António do Espírito Santo (died 1674), a Discalced Carmelite, Bishop of Angola and Congo, with coat of arms.

In the nave, highlight extends to: the two pulpits with baldachin and jacaranda balustrade; the old confessionals built into the side walls; and the marble holy water fonts.

Completely lined with a magnificent set of early 18^th century tile panels, the Triumphal Arch holds in its upper section a representation of The Carmelite Order under the Virgin’s Protection; and in its lower section The Dream of Prophet Elijah and Elijah taken into heaven with chariot of fire; the arch is surmounted with the coat of arms of the Carmelite Order. The side chapels include altarpieces with spiral columns and are dedicated to the Holy Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Fatima.

In the chancel, the outstanding 17^th century gilded wood altarpiece takes pride of place. The most prominent element is the image of Our Lady of Carmel, standing on a tribune with drapery. The side niches offer the images of Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross, both by sculptor Carlos Sant’Ana Bragança (1956). A representation of God’s Lamb can be seen on the tabernacle door.

The side walls are totally tiled in blue and white, with tiles from the 18^th century, depicting scenes from the foundation of the Carmelite Order: on the upper part, The Glorification of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, Our Lady of Carmel and the Souls in Purgatory, The Chasuble being handed by the Virgin to Saint Ildefonso and The Scapular being handed to Saint Simon Stock; four Carmelite Saints are represented in the lower part: Saint Avertanus, Saint Brocard, Saint Angelus and Saint Andrew.

The central panel of the chancel’s splendid ceiling bears a reference to the Reform of Carmel: Our Lady of Carmel - Vivet Carmeli Candidus Ordo Mihi (The Order of Carmel shall live in me); Saint Elijah - Ego Maria plantavi (I, Mary, have planted); Saint Teresa of Jesus - Ego Maria Reformavi (I, Mary, have reformed), and the shield of the Carmelite Order.

In the former vestry, highlight goes to a remarkable carved stonework lavabo, also with the Carmelite coat of arms. Sponsorship is mentioned in the inscribed stone over the door This vestry was commissioned by D. João de Lencastre Governor and General Captain of this Kingdom, at his own expense. 1691.

Next to the church there is the convent former cloister, where the historical wooden coat of arms of the Third Order of Saint Francis can be seen on one of the walls.

III . OUR LADY OF CARMEL

The worship of Our Lady of Carmel dates back to the 8^th century BC, when Elijah, the prophet, took refuge in Mount Carmel, Israel, a high promontory on the East coast of the Mediterranean Sea. That is where the Prophet was when, after praying to God, he sighted a small cloud over the distant sea, foretelling the providential rain that would save Israel from massive drought. This was taken as a sign of Our Lady’s intercession - also invoked as Flower of Carmel, Star of the Sea, or Splendour of Heaven. According to the Bible, Elijah was woken by an Angel and invited to find strength in the food the Angel had set before him; moreover, Elijah was in Mount Carmel when he was taken into heaven with a chariot of fire, in the presence of Elisha, Israel’s new Prophet.

The worship of the Virgin of Carmel spread throughout Europe by the hand of the Carmelite Order. In 1251, Saint Simon Stock was handed the Scapular of Carmel by Our Lady, as promise and assurance of her maternal protection. The Holy Scapular, the Habit or Garment of Mary, is a sign and a pledge of the protection of the Mother of God (Pius XII), this being one of the most widespread devotions. The Sabbatine Privilege was later associated, as the promise made by Our Lady to those who die in God’s Grace, that they will enter Heaven on the Saturday following their death.

Our Lady of Carmel is represented dressed in the colours of the Carmel – brown and white – holding the Scapular, frequently holding Jesus Child, who is also holding the scapular – as in the image placed in the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Luanda.

The Liturgical Feast is celebrated on the 16^th July.

IV . THE ORDER OF THE DISCALCED CARMELITES

The Carmelite Order originated in the 12^th century, when a small group of hermits who followed Saint Elijah gathered in Mount Carmel. In the 13^th century, due to the persecutions, they returned to their homelands in Europe and the Rule was adapted to the new lifestyle within the European context.

Some of the first Carmelites to be canonized are represented in the church of the former Convent of Saint Teresa in Luanda: Saint Brocard (1220), Saint Angelus (1220), Saint Avertanus (c. 1386) and Saint Andrew (1374).

In 1562, Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) assisted by Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) reformed the Order, by returning it to its original austerity, and founded the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. Its coat of arms depicts Mount Carmel with a cross – a reference to the Order’s origin -, divided in two areas coloured white and brown – the colours of the Carmelite habit; with 3 stars – symbolising Virgin Mary and prophets Elijah and Elisha.

After a number of setbacks, the first Discalced Carmelites arrived in Congo in 1582, where they remained until 1589. Upon intervention of Queen D. Luísa de Gusmão and having the patronage of the Portuguese Kings, they arrived in Luanda in 1659, where they founded the Convent of Saint Teresa.

The Carmelites played a highly important role in evangelizing and teaching in Luanda. Dedicated to working as missionaries in the inland, they endured many hardships, including martyrdom – the relics of the Martyrs of Aquingengo were transferred to Luanda in 1666.

Several bishops recruited from the Order of the Discalced Carmelites in Angola significantly contributed to develop the Diocese, particularly D. António do Espírito Santo, buried in the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The decree to extinguish Religious Orders in 1834 caused the disappearance of the Carmelite Order in Portugal and, consequently, also in Luanda. As from the early 20^th century, missionary activities were resumed by the Carmelites, in both Portugal and Brazil.

The missionaries introduced the Carmelite spirituality to the African territory: the love of contemplative life and pray the veneration of Our Lady of Carmel and Saint Joseph, and, more so, the devotion to the Scapular of Carmel.

References

• BATALHA, Fernando, A Igreja e o convento dos Carmelitas de Luanda, Boletim do Instituto de Angola, nº 1, 1953
• CUNHA, Manuel Alves da, Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Edição do Museu de Angola, Luanda, 1953.
• RODRIGUES, Hélder, Igreja do Antigo Convento de Santa Teresa dos Carmelitas Descalços de Luanda, Universidade do Algarve, FCHS, 2011

Note: Text and Photography: ACDA (Associação de Cultura e Desenvolvimento de Angola)