Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 16th July

Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 16^th July

In 1 Kings 18: 19-46, the Prophet Elijah gathered all Israel on the Mount of Carmel and the 450 false prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah. The King of Israel Ahab and his wife Jezebel would offer sacrifices to the false God Baal. The people of Israel were to make a definitive choice between God and Baal. Elijah, the only faithful prophet, proves that the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is sovereign Lord and God, when his sacrifice is consumed by fire and the sacrifice to Baal is not consumed by fire. The people fall on their faces and exclaim “The Lord, he is God, the Lord, he is God” and return to serve God alone.

From the 12^th century, hermits lived near the fountain of Elijah on Mount Carmel, overlooking the plain of Galilee in imitation of the Prophet Elijah. Inspired by him they built a church and dedicated it to Our Lady. In the 13^th century, the order of Carmel was established and it was devoted to the Prophet Elijah and his solitary prayer and to Our Lady, under the title of Mount Carmel. The hermits were known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel”. They saw Our Lady as Mother but also as their sister.

The brothers celebrated a special Mass and Office in honour of Our Lady and it became a universal celebration in the church in 1726. For many years the Carmelites and their saints and theologians have promoted Our Lady of Mount Carmel as one of their patrons, as they evolved from the original brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. St Teresa of Avila called Carmel, “the order of the virgin”.

There is a tradition that Our Lady appeared to St Simon Stock, a Carmelite General and gave him the Brown Scapular, instructing him to promote it. The scapular is a modified version of Our Lady’s own clothing garment. It symbolises Her special protection and guidance and that those who wear it are consecrated to Her in a special way.

Poem of St Teresa of Avila

I am Yours and born for You,
What do You want of me?
Majestic Sovereign,
Unending wisdom,
Kindness pleasing to my soul;
God sublime, one Being Good,
Behold this one so vile.
Singing of her love to You:
What do You want of me?

Yours, You made me,
Yours, You saved me,
Yours, You endured me,
Yours, You called me,
Yours, You awaited me,
Yours, I did not stray.
What do You want of me?