John Soreth

Blessed John Soreth was born near Caen in Normandy in 1394 and entered the Carmelite house there. He was ordained priest around 1417 and was a Prior General who dramatically changed Carmelite life for the better. He studied Doctor of Theology in Paris in 1438.

On 28 July (Discalced Carmelites) and 24 July (O.Carm) the Carmelite family celebrates the feast of Blessed John Soreth (c.1395 – 1471), Prior General and reformer of the Carmelite Order.  He is especially important for Carmelite nuns since he was responsible for first admitting women to the Order and encouraging the creation of Carmelite communities for women.

In 1452, Blessed John Soreth was authorized by the papal bull Cum Nulla to establish Carmelite communities of women. These monasteries spread quickly.

Blessed John Soreth also obtained papal approval for the Carmelite third order. In addition to the Second Order, Blessed John Soreth also began the Third Order of Carmel, now known as Secular Carmelites, and wrote their first Rule.

In the spring of 1451, John Soreth was vicar general of the Carmelite Order, having been appointed the previous year by Pope Nicholas V.