St. Albert of Jerusalem was born Albert Avogardo in Parma, Italy in 1149. As a student he studied theology and law.

In 1180 he became Canon Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and was elected their prior. At age 35, he was named Bishop of Bobbio and a year later, in 1185, he was named Bishop of Vercelli and was appointed by Pope Innocent III as his legate to Northern Italy.

St. Albert became prominent for his negotiating skills. He mediated a dispute between the Emperor or Frederick Barbarossa and Pope Clement III. As well, he was successful in negotiating a peace between Parma and Piacenza. He played a role in settling disputes between different Frankish Factors.

At age of 54, in 1205, St. Albert was appointed Patriarch of Jerusalem and the year following was named Papal Legate to the Holy Land. Upon his appointment he took up residence in Acre, which was a few kilometers from Mount Carmel. Sometime between 1206 and 1214 he was approached by the Latin hermits of Mount Carmel with the request to prepare for them a written "formula of life" based on their own traditional patterns. This is how the primitive Rule of Carmelites came about. It was not until January 30, 1226 that Pope Honorious III gave official approval to the Carmelite Rule of Life written by Albert Patriarch of Jerusalem.