Central to this week in July is «the commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, so dear to the devotion of Christian people throughout the world, and especially connected with the life of the great Carmelite religious family. The great Carmelite mystics understood the experience of God in their own lives as a “journey of perfection” (St. Teresa of Jesus), as an “ascent of Mount Carmel” (St. John of the Cross). Mary is present on this journey. For this reason, in Carmel, and in every deeply Carmelite soul, a life of intense communion and familiarity with the holy Virgin blossoms, as a “new way” of living for God and of continuing here on earth the love of her Son Jesus for his mother Mary» (Pope John Paul II, Angelus, 24 July 1988).
WEDNESDAY 14 JULY
Saint Camillus de Lellis
The saints are always relevant and always have something to say to our hearts and our times. This is particularly true of Saint Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of the sick, those who suffer, and healthcare workers, a figure who can shed light on our present, still troubled by the pandemic.
Camillus, born in 1550 in the province of Chieti to a noble family and later becoming a soldier of fortune, squandered all his inheritance through gambling. But the Lord led him back to his path through a wound that would not heal: he remained in hospital for a long time to treat his sick foot, and there he discovered that he was capable of helping the sick and learned how to care for them. He then decided that this was where his life belonged forever and sought out good men who would consecrate themselves with him to the sick solely out of love for God. He resumed his studies, was ordained a priest, and in 1586 saw the order he had founded, the “Company of the Ministers of the Sick,” officially recognized. Camillus anticipated developments in hospital care: we must be “mothers” to the sick, he said, even more than brothers, and give them everything they need, including “with kindness”: we must smile. To show how it should be done, he stepped down from leading the Order and worked on the wards. Today, the Camillians are active in 27 countries across the 5 continents.
For further reflection:
• Saint Camillus de Lellis
THURSDAY, JULY 15
Beginning of the novena to Saint Charbel Makhluf
Today begins the novena to Saint Charbel Makhluf: «He is a saint who is very well known, not only in Lebanon, and is highly venerated, invoked, and prayed to. Yet Saint Charbel was little known during his lifetime, having lived as a monk and hermit in great seclusion. He left no writings, did not initiate any social works or spiritual movements, and founded no congregations. A very discreet, very humble, reserved monk, a man of few words, far from any limelight. The few who knew him during his lifetime testified to his heroic holiness and his impressive radical commitment to evangelical and religious life. A man who lived monastic life with unparalleled wholeness, purity, and austerity. Yet he was fundamentally unknown to most people and to the world. His fame and the splendor of his holiness literally burst forth at the time of his death and around his tomb. It was from that moment that Saint Charbel began to make himself known throughout the world, granting graces of healing, consolation, and conversion around his burial place» (Fr. Filippo Belli, Introduction to the book “Saint Charbel. God Alone Is Enough for Life,” code 8850).
For further reflection:
• Prayers to Saint Charbel
FRIDAY, JULY 16
Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
The Carmelite order has a great love: devotion to Mary. Some monks had built a chapel on Mount Carmel in Palestine and, from 1226 onward, after being driven out by the Saracens, founded many monasteries in the West, developing a particular devotion to Our Lady, who appeared to one of them, Saint Simon Stock, and handed him the Order’s scapular with the words: «Behold the privilege I grant to you and to all the children of Carmel: whoever is clothed in this habit will be saved». John Paul II, who had a particular love for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, stated: «I too have worn the Carmelite scapular over my heart for a long time» and again: «Through the scapular, devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel express their desire to shape their lives according to the example of Mary, the mother, patroness, sister, and most pure Virgin, welcoming the Word of God and dedicating themselves to the service of their brothers and sisters».
By living in communion and familiarity with the Virgin, we too will know how to live for God, treasuring her words and teachings in our hearts.
For further reflection:
• The Carmelite scapular
SATURDAY, JULY 17
Beginning of the novena to Saints Joachim and Anne
The Church remembers Saints Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents, on July 26. Mary’s parents lived with her in a unique communion and familiarity, because it was also steeped in everyday life. Let us pray to them for the grace to always live united in heart with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Furthermore, starting this year, Pope Francis has established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on the fourth Sunday of July (therefore close to this memorial); this year it is celebrated on July 25.
For further reflection:
• Prayers to Saints Anne and Joachim
This week leaves us with a sweet certainty in our hearts: Mary is present on our journey through life, and with her, life blossoms!
I’ll see you in the comments on the post! Have a blessed journey!
