“Les Usages Regulier des Carmelites Dechausees”, published by the Discalced Carmelites of Montelimar, France

[graciandelamadrededios]

As I was rereading the Custom Book, I found the following interesting measurements for the Grates.  

 

DIMENSIONS OF GRATES

CHOIR GRATES:

Width - about 6 ft. 6 in.

With of Iron Bars --5/8 in.

Square between Cross Bars -- 2/12 in.

Length of Spikes -- 3 in

Space between Outer and Inner Bars -- about 18 in

If the Common Window be in the Grate, this space cannot be more than ten inches.  

The Inner Wooden Bars should be about one inch in diameter, and should be place opposite each outside vertical iron bar.

 

SPEAK ROOOM GRATES:

Width -- about 6 ft.

Width of Iron Bars -- 5/6 in.

Square between Cross Bar -- 2 in.

Length of Spikes -- 3 in.

Space between outer and inner Bars -- 17 in.

 

Based on the book "Carmel: Its History, Spirit, and Saints"  compiled by The Discalced Carmelites of Boston and Santa Clara, published in 1927.

It says that Pope Urban IV made the regulation that in all monasteries, each grate should be armed with points of iron.

Further, it says that St. Charles of Borromeo, during the Council of Milan, approved and generalized  the use of double grate as ordained by St. Francis of Paula for his religious and even designated the distance which should separate one from another.  He also wished the Religious to have their faces covered with a veil before persons from without, who should be obliged to enter into the cloister

 

You can visit and view some photos of the choir grates of Manila Carmel on their facebook page: Gilmore Carmel (Carmel of St. Therese) and look for their posts on Jan 31 and February 10, 2024.  You can see photos of the grille and if you look closely on one of the photos, you can see one spike on the upper grille and the space where the spikes were removed.  They just removed the spikes on the lower grille but they kept the spikes on the upper grille.  They have recently renovated their almost 100 year old choir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 3 by graciandelamadrededios