Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel

 Today 16-07-2012, is the Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel .

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Mount Carmel is commemorated is Scripture for its beauty and it was there the prophet Elijah defended the purity of Israel's faith in the living God. towards the end of the 12th century near a spring, a group of hermits established themselves on Mount Carmel and built an oratory in honor of our Lady whom they chosen as their patroness.They regarded the Blessed Virgin as their Mother and model in leading the contemplative life and then in sharing the fruits of their contemplation to others. According to traditional accounts, the blessed Virgin Mary appeared at Cambridge to Simon Stock who was Prior General of the Carmelite Order in the middle of the 13th Century. Simon was an Englishman, a man of  great holiness and devotion, who always in his prayers asked the Virgin to favor his Order with some singular privilege. The Virgin appeared to him holding the Scapular in her hand saying, 'This is for you and yours privilege ;the one who dies in it will be saved.'

 The feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel in mid July is for all a symbol because Mary is the Centre who polarize the life of every Carmelite. Her presence gives us human warmth,nearness and simplicity that are something of our own. the steps of Mary are the steps of a person with absolute  availability to the plan of God.

 The three elements of prayers, community and ministry are today's ways of living out the Charism of the Order of Carmel.

 The Celebration of the Feast is an invitation to deepen our love and devotion to Mary who impels us to imitate her virtues. She welcomed the Word of God, listened and kept pondering in her heart. she did not reject The Word Of God as she did....to be prayerful, contemplative, generous and unselfish. Let her maternal blessing and graces enable us to renew our Yes day by day and with a total commitment.

- Sr. Nancy Monteiro cm