Mount Carmel

Happy Feast day of our Lady of Mount Carmel!

For those of you who don't know what we are celebrating today, I give you a little background info, from American Catholic.Org's Saint of The Day feature. (http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.asp?id=1446)


July 16, 2009
Our Lady of Mount Carmel


Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726 it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 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.

St. Teresa of Avila (October 15) called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” St. John of the Cross (December 14) credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion, she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.

There is a tradition (which may not be historical) that Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.


Comment:

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 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 realization 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.

Quote:

“The various forms of piety toward the Mother of God, which the Church has approved within the limits of sound and orthodox doctrine, according to the dispositions and understanding of the faithful, ensure that while the mother is honored, the Son through whom all things have their being (cf. Colossians 1:15–16) and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell (cf. Colossians 1:19) is rightly known, loved and glorified and his commandments are observed” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 66).



For me, as a fledgling Carmelite, this is a special feast! It marks the first year of my venture into Carmel, and is a good reminder to be solidary with Carmelites all over the world alongside whom I am journeying towards holiness! I am so thankful for my vocation, and more for (and I might be wrong, but I think I can perceive it) the spiritual fruit that has been borne in my life since heeding the Carmelite call. In the company of such incredible saints as John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Mariam the Little Arab and Mary Magdalen D'Pazzi, and guided by the Mother of Christ herself, how can I not grow in my spiritual walk?

Just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the wonder and amazement I felt today when assisting at mass. The homily demonstrated how Mary, who accompanies us by her own sorrows through the sorrows of life as wait in "Joyful Hope" together for the coming of the Kingdom, teaches us to bring those burdens to the altar, and as we do, the Lord takes our offerings of pain and burden, and in exchange we are able to receive from Him perfect peace and all the graces He wishes to give us in the Eucharistic Feast which is prepared at that same altar. I knew this as a protestant, but it was only when returning to the Church and seeing this happen PHYSICALLY on the altar that I was able to grasp the spiritual reality of what was happening up there.

What a bargain! We give up death, sorrow, agony, and despair, and exchange it for Life, joy, grace, and encouragement for the journey. Mass, after mass, after mass. It's just amazing.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us all.