Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 16th

 

 Today, we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On July 16th, 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a religious brother by the name of Simon Stock. At that time, there was a group of men living as hermits in a religious community on top of Mount Carmel, who were dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Carmelites claim their religious order began at the time of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, as a group of men dedicated to living ascetical life, who were expecting the promised virgin, on top of Mount Carmel in Palestine.

In the 1200’s, many of the brothers in the community at that time had become lax and were in danger of losing their souls. In addition to this-- the order was persecuted. Some were accusing the brothers of not being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but rather men dedicated to Mary of Egypt.

Because the situation seemed dire, Simon Stock, the General of the Order, fell at the feet of Mary and said, “Most holy Virgin! Beauty of Carmel Virgin Flower forever in bloom! Bright Ornament of Heaven! Thou Virgin-Mother of a Man-God! Mother of holy love! Mother of mercy and meekness! Star of the sea! O Mary, show us thou art our Mother! O Virgin most holy, give me a sign of thy predilection for thine Order of Carmel which will astonish our adversaries, and confound our detractors!”

It was at this moment, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Simon Stock and gave him the scapular, which was a long woolen cloth that covers the front and back of the habit. She told him, “whomsoever wears this scapular will not suffer eternal fire”. The men in the community began to wear the scapular, which renewed their devotion and helped them to once again become more fervent religious. Laymen and women also began to wear the scapular, but because it was so long, it was problematic to wear during work. The scapular become smaller as it is worn today, so that everyone may easily wear the scapular.

About 50 years after the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Simon Stock, she appeared to Pope John XXII, and promised “She would assist and console the children of Carmel detained in Purgatory and also speedily release them on the first Saturday after death”, which would become known as the Sabatine privilege.
Interestingly, the last apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes was on July 16^th and Mary appeared to the children of Fatima at the last apparition as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Sister Lucia said, “Our Lady appeared holding the scapular in Her hands because She wants everyone to wear it.”

Today, if we don’t wear the Scapular, may we once again put it on trusting the Blessed Virgin Mary will help us to get to heaven and protect us from the evil one.