Our Patroness
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The Carmelite Order takes its name from Mount Carmel in Israel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and where a chapel was erected in her honor before the Assumption of her into heaven. St Simon Stock entered the Carmelite Order in Kent, England at the age of 40. He was sent to Mount Carmel in the Holy Land where he led a life of prayer and penance until he and most of his he religious brother were forced to leave by victorious infidels. The group sailed to England. At a General Chapter held in Aylesford, England, in AD 1245, St Simon was unanimously elected Prior General of the Carmelite Order.
San Simone Stock had great devotion to the Madonna. This may help explain why the Carmelite Order began to thrive under his leadership, despite strong opposition.
In response to the appeal to Our Lady to ask for help for her Order to oppress her, on July 16, 1251 AD (she was 86 years old at the time), Mary appeared to him holding a Scapular in her hand. Mary said:
"Receive, my beloved Son, this habit of your order: this will be a privilege for you and for all Carmelites, that Anyone who dies wearing this will never allow eternal fire."
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This was truly a great gift and a great promise from the Mother of God.
After this apparition, Friar della continued to establish Carmelite communities near university cities in England, France and Italy. He became the Superior General of his order several years after his appearance. Until recently, the brown scapular was one of the most used religious symbols of personal dedication to Mary's mission found in her last words recorded in the Bible (John 2: 5). The promotion and use of all kinds of Marian devotional symbols has declined dramatically since the 1960s.
For over 700 years, the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been one of the most precious gifts and highly indulgent sacramentals of our church.
It is more than that, however; it is actually a garment, given to us by the Most Holy Mary, which makes us her children special. Blessing and clothing with the Scapular of the 'Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel' inscribes the individual of the Scapular Confraternity and admits him to a share in all the spiritual works performed by the religious of Mount Carmel.
In Lourdes in 1858, the Virgin chose to make her last apparition on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the day the Church commemorates her apparition to St. Simon Stock.
And in Fatima on October 13, 1917, it is like Our Lady of Mount Carmel that Mary appeared when she said goodbye to her three children. Over the centuries, the Queen of Carmel has always kept a watch faithful to the destinies of her beloved children on earth.
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Prayer
"Lord, may the maternal prayer of the glorious Virgin come to our aid. Through her support they help to reach the true mountain which is Christ". Amen.
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