July 16 is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – which is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The Order of Carmelites takes its name from Mount Carmel in Israel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and where a chapel was erected in her honor before her Assumption into heaven.

In the Old Testament, Mount Carmel was a holy place sanctified by the memory of Elijah and his followers – who fought for the rights of the true God 900 years before Christ.

Christians would interpret Elijah’s vision of the cloud rising from the Mediterranean Sea as a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose Son would be the Messiah and Savior (1 Kings 18, 42-45). After the days of Elijah and Elisha other holy hermits lived on Mount Carmel and led solitary, contemplative lives, praying and fasting. Along with the austere figure of Elijah, they looked for inspiration to the Mother of God. Her Latin title was “Virgo Dei Genitrix”, which means “Virgin Mother of God”.

Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” Saint John of the Cross revealed that Mary saved him from drowning as a child, led him to Carmel, and helped him escape from prison. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux believed that the Virgin Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion day, Thérèse dedicated her life to Mary.

July 16th is also the feast of the “Scapular of Mount Carmel.” On this day in 1251, tradition says the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England, showed him the scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all persons who would wear her scapular. When she presented the scapular to him, she told him, “This is your privilege: whoever dies in it will be saved.”

To obtain the indulgences and other benefits promised to those who wear the Carmelite scapular, a person must be invested by a priest and must lead a consistent Christian life.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Be our constant hope.
Mary, perfect disciple of the Lord – Make us also faithful to him.
Mary, Flower of Carmel – Fill us with your joy.
Virgin Mary, Beauty of Carmel – Smile upon your family Sweet Mother of Carmel.
Holy Mother beyond compare – Remember your children forever.
Holy Virgin, Star of the Sea – Be our beacon of Light.
Protecting Veil – Shelter us in the mantle of your love.

Happy feast day to all my readers — especially to my Carmelite friends!

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