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Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Feast Day July 16
In the MMG
we ask that we, and those we love, be placed under the Mantle of the
Blessed Mother of God, and experience her protection and love. We know
that devotion to Mary never fails, whether in the Carmelite tradition, or any
other image of Mary one might choose. Those who come to her are always led to
the feet of her Son.
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Who
is Our Lady of Mount Carmel?
Our Lady of
Mount Carmel is the patroness of the Carmelite order. The Carmelites began as
hermits on Mount Carmel, near Nazareth in the Holy Land. Eventually, they
expanded to Europe where they combined their contemplative life with an
apostolic life.
Carmelite tradition tells that on July 16, 1251, Mary
appeared to Saint Simon Stock, holding the Scapular of Carmel and assured him of
her protection for those who would wear it piously. Mary stated the following
promise to him concerning the Scapular: "Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular
shall not suffer eternal fire...it shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in
danger, and a pledge of peace."
The Brown Scapular is worn as a sign
of love and devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, under her title of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel. The Scapular is itself a reflection in miniature of
the Carmelite habit which the monks wear as a sign of their vocation and
devotion. Over the years the scapular, for lay people, became much reduced in
size to small pieces of wool cloth suspended front and back.
One of the noted characteristics of Carmel's
spirituality is the presence of the Virgin Mary, communion with her, imitation
of her virtues and cultivating special devotion to her. Carmel professes a total
consecration to the Virgin Mary along with its total dedication to the service
of Jesus Christ.
Today, the Carmelites reach out in a unique fashion as
contemplatives in action, caring for and serving their fellow Christians and
non-Christians alike. They engage in preaching, teaching, and spiritual
direction. Others serve as missionaries, as university teachers, or in pastoral
care.
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Prayer
to
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Oh, most beautiful flower
of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of
God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me
and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God Queen of Heaven
and Earth, I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my
necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power of
intercession.
Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. Holy Mary,
I place this prayer in your hands. Amen
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
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