Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

What a beautiful memorial we have today as we celebrate our Blessed Mother Mary under the patronage of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. This feast was instituted in the fourteenth century by the Carmelite Order to commemorate the day in 1251 when our Blessed Mother gave the brown scapular to Saint Simon Stock. Many people wear the brown scapular as a sign of reverence and devotion. Here is a quote from the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: "The scapular is an external sign of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession, who are mindful of the primacy of the spiritual life and the need for prayer" (205). We look to our Blessed Mother Mary who gave us a wonderful example of giving herself totally to the will of God and who continues to guide us along the way with her loving, maternal hand. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for us!!!