Collection of Pierre-Michel letters

A Guide to the Collection

Biographical Note

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 Évangile Éternel [The Eternal Gospel]. Pope Gregory XVI formally condemned the Church of Carmel on November 8, 1848, and Pierre-Michel responded with a counter-condemnation of the Pope.

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. Eugène Vintras: Un Cas de Délire Mystique et Politique au XIX Siècle. Paris: Lib. littéraire et médicale, 1919.

Bogaard, Milko. "1839 l'Oeuvre de la Miséricorde / Church of Carmel." http://www.gnostique.net/ecclesia/EG_II.htm. Accessed August 29, 2011.

Daraul, Arkon. A History of Secret Societies. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publ. Group, 1994.

Levi, Eliphas. The History of Magic. London: Rider and Co., 1963.

Waite, Arthur Edward. The Mysteries of Magic. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., 897.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

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, Évangile Éternel.

Restrictions

Access to Collection:

The collection is open for research use. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Publication Rights:

Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the Bridwell Library.

Copyright Statement:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Collection of Pierre-Michel letters, Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.

Acquisition Information

Acquired, 1962.

Processing Information

This collection was arranged and described in 2011 by Allison Osborn.

Finding aid written by

Allison Osborn, 2011.

Encoded by

Ada Negraru, 2011.

Detailed Description of the Collection