Bishop and Lawgiver of Carmel

Albert Avogadro was born about 1150 A.D. at Castel Gualtieri (Italy). He entered the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and was elected Prior in 1180. He became Bishop of Bobbio in 1184, and of Vercelli the following year, and in 1205 was made Patriarch of Jerusalem. In all these offices he was a model pastor in word and example, and he contributed greatly to the establishment of peace. During his patriarchate (1205-1214) he formed the hermit brothers of Mount Carmel in a collegium and wrote a rule for them. He was murdered on 14 September 1214 by the Master of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, whom he had rebuked and deposed for immorality. In the Carmelite Rule St Albert makes many references to Scripture.  The Mass readings Ephesians 6:11-18 and Matthew 20:25-28 encourage us to “rely on God’s armour” of truth, integrity and faith and remind us that “the Son of Man came to not to be served but to serve.”