Saint of the Day - Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Carmelite order has existed since before the time of Christ as a group dedicated to the virgin who would bring forth the Savior.

By 1251 the Carmelite order had reached England where St. Simon Stock lived as a Carmelite friar. The order was, at that time, suffering oppression which the friars were ardently petitioning Our Lady to relieve them from. While praying for this intention Friar Simon received a vision of Our Lady holding the child Jesus in one arm and two pieces of brown cloth connected by a string in the other.

This garment was the first scapular which Our Lady presented to St. Simon saying "Take, beloved son this scapular of thy order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant."

Our Lady has appeared at other times as the Lady of Carmel such as at her final apparitions at Lourdes and Fatima.

Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, blessed mother of the Son of God, immaculate virgin, assist me in my necessity. O, star of the sea, help me and show me herein, you are my mother. Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.