In 1839, while living in the village of Tilly-sur-Seulles, France, Catholic peasant Pierre-Michel (Eugène Vintras) claimed to have received a letter from the archangel Michael followed by visions of the archangel, the Holy Ghost, St. Joseph, and the Virgin Mary. Through these visions, Pierre-Michel came to believe that he was a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah and that his task in life was to found a new religious order announcing the coming of the Paraclete (the age of the Holy Ghost) with miraculous signs. Pierre-Michel founded the l’Oeuvre de la Miséricorde (“Work of Mercy”), later known as the “Eliate Church of Carmel” to carry out this mission.
With only a basic education and no formal religious training, Pierre-Michel traveled across France proclaiming his spiritual revelations and instituting new religious rites. Pierre-Michel believed his ministry would lead to the renewal of Catholicism. His followers included Catholic priests, craftsmen, nobles, and members of the working class.
In 1842 Pierre-Michel was arrested on charges of roguery (fraud) and sentenced to five years in prison. After his release in 1848, Pierre-Michel fled to England where he wrote and published
Pierre-Michel returned to France in 1862 and founded the "Interior Sanctuary of the Elié of Carmel" in Lyon. In addition to France, The Eliate Church of Carmel had congregations in Spain, Belgium, Italy, and England. Pierre-Michel died December 7, 1875 in Lyon, and the Abbe de Boullan assumed control of the sect.
Sources:
Agnel-Billoud, Marie-Reine.
Bogaard, Milko.
Daraul, Arkon.
Levi, Eliphas.
Waite, Arthur Edward.
Bridwell Library’s collection of Pierre-Michel letters comprises 256 letters written by supporters during his years in London, 1848-1862. The letters document the support by Pierre-Michel’s followers and their eagerness for the publication of his book,
The collection is organized into one series:
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This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms.
[Identification of item], Collection of Pierre-Michel letters, Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.
Acquired, 1962.
This collection was arranged and described in 2011 by Allison Osborn.
Allison Osborn, 2011.
Ada Negraru, 2011.
Series 1 contains 128 folders with two letters in each. The letters were written to Pierre-Michel in England by his followers and supporters in France. Most letters address Pierre-Michel as