In Italy, in almost every town, there is a small church or altar dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This Marian title has deep roots and special meanings. Let’s discover more.
One of the oldest and most beloved devotions
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (popularly known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel), whose feast we celebrate today, is a very important Marian feast in the Church’s Tradition; this devotion is linked to the history and spiritual values of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (the Carmelites). The liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was established to commemorate the apparition on July 16, 1251, to Saint Simon Stock, who was then prior general of the Carmelite Order. The Virgin Mary gave Stock a scapular (from the Latin scapula, shoulder) made of fabric, revealing to him significant privileges connected with its veneration.
The scapular is used as an object of devotion, a symbol of consecration to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and a promise of eternal salvation and liberation from Purgatory.
Mount Carmel, a symbol of beauty and splendor
In Sacred Scripture, the mountain represents the privileged place of encounter with God. Mount Carmel, a symbol of beauty and splendor, is a mountain range located in Upper Galilee, a region of the State of Israel, extending northwest-southeast from Haifa to Jenin. Tradition holds that the Holy Family stopped here on their return from Egypt. The prophet Elijah had settled here and founded a community of men tireless in defending the purity of faith in the one God of the people of Israel. It was precisely on Mount Carmel that Elijah had a vision: a cloud rising from the sea brought rain, putting an end to the drought. In that cloud, the Fathers of the Church wished to identify the figure of the Virgin Mary, who brings the hope and love of God, bringing relief even to the driest souls.
On this special day, we can turn to Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the supplication. We entrust to Our Lady all the intentions we hold in our hearts. She will not fail to offer us her maternal help.
Are you devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel? If you have thoughts or memories to share, write them in the comments.
