Princeps et exemplar Carmelitarum: The Prophet Elijah in the Liber de institutione primorum monachorum

The medieval Carmelites, without the usual charismatic founder of a religious movement, quickly adopted the biblical prophet Elijah (along with the Virgin Mary) as archetype of their contemplative vocation and developed an elaborate legend around him as the first member of the order (princeps) and the model of its way of life (exemplar). The article explores the definitive statement of the Elijah legend in the work of the Catalan Carmelite Felip Ribot (d. 1391), the Liber de institutione primorum monachorum, its use and misuse of scripture, the ideal of Carmelite life presented, and its view of progress to spiritual maturity.