16 July 2010: Our Lady of Mount Carmel

This feast was established (1726) to commemorate the apparition of the Blessed Virgin on 16 July 1251 to St Simon Stock, Superior General of the Carmelite Order. To him she promised a special blessing for everyone who wears her scapular.

Since then, the Church has solemnly and repeatedly approved this devotion which began in England. The devout use of the scapular shows our trust in the Blessed Virgin’s motherly care to help us at the time of our death.

Ref: Fr James Socias, et al (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1579

Love for the Virgin and the scapular of Mount Carmel

The oldest tradition of the Carmelite Order connects it with the apparition “... a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising out of the sea” (1 Kings 18:44).

People could see it from the summit of Mount Carmel while the prophet Elizah was beseeching the Lord to put an end to a long drought. The cloud quickly spread to cover the sky and brought abundant rain.

Scripture scholars see this cloud as a type of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (cf Professors of Salamanca, “Bible Commentary”, Madrid 1961) By bringing the Saviour into the world she bore the living water to quench mankind’s thirst, and she continues to bring countless graces.

This devotion “has brought down a copious stream of spiritual and temporal graces upon the earth.” (Pius XII, “Address”, 6 August 50)

For centuries, Christians seek refuge in Our Lady. “Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Mount Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are as deep-rooted among the faithful and so richly blessed by the popes. Besides, how motherly is the sabbatine privilege.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 500)

Our Lady promised the grace to repent during the final moments of life to whoever lives and dies wearing the scapular, or blessed medal with the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin of Carmel. (cf Innocent IV, Bull, “Ex parte dilectorum”, 13 January 1252)

The sabbatine privilege consists in our release from Purgatory on the Saturday following our death. (cf John XXII, Bull, “Sacratissimo uticulmine”, 3 March 1322)

Truly, “by her maternal charity Mary cares for the brethren of her Son who still journeying on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties until such time as they are led into the eternal happiness of their true homeland ...” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 62)

May we not forego approaching Our Lady many times each day so that she may help and protect us. This devotion expresses our personal dedication and all that is ours to Our Lady.

“... during the apparition in which she gave the scapular to St Simon Stock, the Mother of God manifested herself as ‘Mother of divine grace’ and as ‘Mother most lovable’ who protects her children throughout life and at the moment of death ...

“She offers us the following pledge in reward for our commitment to her: ‘Throughout life I protect; at the hour of death I lend assistance; and after death I save’.” (Cardinal Goma, “The Blessed Virgin Mary”, Barcelona, 1947)

She is truly ‘our life, our sweetness and our hope ...’ [cf 'Hail, Holy Queen']Devotion to Our Lady of Carmel and her holy scapular ensure hope in heaven since her continued protection after our death fills our hearts with consolation.

“Mary guides us toward the eternal future; she helps us desire and discover it. She gives us her hope, assurance and desire. Inspired by such a splendid reality and with unspeakable joy we can persevere in our humble and perhaps wearisome earthly pilgrimage. Mary will light up our way and transform it into a sure path to Paradise.” (Paul VI, “Address”, 15 August 66)

There with the grace of God we will one day see her.

The scapular of Mount Carmel can help us to love our Mother in heaven more. It is a special reminder for us that we are dedicated to her and that in whatever moment of trouble, in the midst of temptation, we can count on her help. “Remember, Blessed Virgin Mother of God ... to speak well on our behalf before the Lord.” (“Graduale Romanum”, in loc, 580)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:13-8

Woman’s unique role in evangelizing the family

The Gospel shows us how women followed and ministered to Christ; how they were present at the foot of the Cross; how they were the first to go to the empty tomb.

We find in them no sign of hypocrisy, or wrongdoing or betrayal. The Church expects from women commitment and witness to all that contributes to the dignity of the human person and furthers their true happiness.

St Paul had a deep insight into the role of the Christian woman as mother, spouse and sister in spreading the Christian message. This view is reflected in his preaching and letters. Some of these women are especially commended for the sacrifices they made in his work of evangelization.

At all times, and no less in ours, Christian women play a most important part in the apostolate and in the handing on of the faith. “Women are called to bring to the family, to society and to the Church, characteristics which are their own and which they alone can give: their gentle warmth and untiring generosity, their love for detail, their quick-wittedness and intuition, their simple and deep piety, their constancy.

“Each woman in her own sphere of life, if she is faithful to her divine and human vocation, can and in fact does achieve the fulness of her human personality. Let us remember that Mary, Mother of God and Mother of men, is a model ... a proof of the transcendental value of an apparently unimportant life.” (“Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá”, 87)

We ask her to pray for fruits of Christian women’s labours in the family, society and the Church. We ask her that there always be an abundance of vocations in the Church, of many people totally committed to God.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:530

Lourdes: The eighteenth and last apparition

Friday, 1858. Bernadette felt the call of the Virgin, but was torn between her desire to heed it secretly and her respect for authority. She waited until night fell. At about 8 o’clock PM, with her aunt Lucile Casterot, she went down to Massabielle. As soon as she began to recite the rosary, the Virgin appeared. Thus, Bernadette saw the Lady for the last time. (G Menotti, “Lourdes”, 16)

Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Memorial: July 16 (http://www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm)

Ninth Day

O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son.

Behold us, your children.

We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death.

Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony!

Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help!

Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Savior, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children.

Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls!

(‘Pause and mention petitions.’)

Say: Our Father, Hail, Mary and Glory Be ...

‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’

The feast of the Scapular; tradition says that Our Lady gave it herself, about the year 1251, to the Blessed Simon Stock, an Englishman; this devotion has since spread all over the world.

The popes John XXII, Gregory XIII, Sixtus V, Gregory XIV, and Clement VIII, granted indulgences to those belonging to this confraternity.

Ref: 'Cartagena, de Ortu ordinis Carmelitarum.' (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Feast of the Brown Scapular also known as The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 1251. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)