Today, September 17 is the Feast of St. Albert of Jerusalem, Bishop, Legislator of the 0rder of Carmel. Albert Avogadro was born about the middle of the twelfth century in Castel Gualtieri in Italy. He became a Canon Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and was elected their prior in 1180. Named Bishop of Bobbio in 1184, and of Vercelli in 1185, he was made Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1205. There, in word and example, he was the model of a good pastor and peace-maker. While he was Patriarch (1206-1214) he formed the hermit brothers of Mount Carmel into a collegium and wrote a Rule for them. He was murdered at Acre on September 14, 1214, by the Master of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, whom he had rebuked and deposed for immorality.
He is not a Carmelite, but the Order of Carmel celebrates him with all propriety as her son for being her legislator. As Patriarch of Jerusalem, he met with St. Brocard and the other hermits on the slopes of Mount Carmel and at their request, composed the Rule of Carmel, putting in writing what the monks practiced in their lives.