Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - 16 July
16th July 2024
In the 12th Century, Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah in northern Israel. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They celebrated a special Mass and Office in honour of Mary. In 1726, it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
To the medieval members of the Order, Mary was the Gracious Lady who protected them from danger, who won for them the favour of Christ, her Son.
For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.
Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” Saint John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel, and helping him escape from prison. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion day, Thérèse dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.
The one gift that unites all Catholics to Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel is her scapular. The scapular was given to Saint Simon Stock, prior general of the Camelite Order, on July 16, 1251 AD. Our Lady appeared to the Saint when there was great danger that her order would perish. The works of Saint Simon was the prayer, Flower of Carmel, still said daily by Carmelites.
The Blessed Mother answered Simon’s prayers by giving him the scapular, telling him: “Receive this habit, this shall be a sign of salvation. Whosoever dies clothed in this shall not suffer eternal fire.”
Seven centuries have shown what a generous gift Our Mother gave us when she made for us the garment of her scapular. German Catholics call the scapular Mary’s “garment of grace.” Mary’s habit is a humble garment, simply two pieces of cloth joined by strings. Yet, we do not measure God’s gifts by ordinary standards. The very simplicity of the scapular is a lesson in modesty and purity. The Queen of Heaven has made the scapular the pledge of her protection, especially at the hour of death. Our mother has clothed us, her children, with her garment of choice. Wearing it, we show that we have dedicated ourselves completely to her service, and are reminded to imitate our Mother. The continual wearing of it is a prayer for Mary’s protection, a sign of our complete dependence on her.
The second promise Mary made is known as the Sabbatine Privilege – Saturday, because Our Lady promised scapular-wearers who perform certain additional acts in her honour prompt delivery from Purgatory, especially on the Saturday after death. We believe that God grants all graces through His Mother. Mary showed herself to Bernadette at Lourdes for the last time on July 16; in her last vision at Fatima, she appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. When we were enrolled in the scapular, the following prayer was said: “May Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, bless you whom he has been pleased to receive into the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. We beg her to crush the head of the ancient serpent in the hour of your death, and in the end obtain for you the palm and crown of your everlasting inheritance. Amen.”
The Carmelites were known from early on as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” The title suggests that they saw Mary not only as “mother,” but also as “sister.” The word sister is a reminder that Mary is very close to us. She is the daughter of the First Person of the Triune God and therefore can help us be authentic daughters and sons of God. She also can help us grow in appreciation of being sisters and brothers to one another. She leads us to a new realisation that all human beings belong to the family of God. When such a conviction grows, there is hope that the human race can find its way to peace.
Flos Carmeli (“The Flower of Carmel”)
St Simon Stock’s Prayer to Our Lady of Mt Carmel
O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the Sea, help and protect me! Show me that thou art my Mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me that you are my Mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee! Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.
Mother and Ornament of Carmel, pray for us. Virgin, Flower of Carmel, pray for us. Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, pray for us. Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, pray for us. O sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation. Amen. 💖🙏💐