Sacred Scripture already celebrated the beauty of Carmel where the prophet Elijah defended the purity of Israel's faith in the living God.
In the twelfth century, some group of hermits withdrew to same mount Carmel where they organized themselves into an Order around 1150.
Oppressed by the Saracens, the monks later slowly emigrated to Europe. During the night preceding the 16th of July, 1225, the Blessed Virgin is said to have commanded Pope Honorius III to approve the foundation.
Since the Carmelites were still under constant harassment, the sixth General of the Order, St. Simon Stock, pleaded with the Blessed Virgin for some special sign of her protection.
On July 16, 1251, Blessed Virgin Mary designated the scapular as the special mark of her maternal love. That is why the present feast is also known as the feast of the Scapular. The scapular, as part of the habit, is common to many religious Orders, but it is a special feature of the Carmelites. A smaller form of the scapular is given to lay persons in order that they may share in the great graces associated with it.
Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is worldwide, and most Catholics are familiar with the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Brown Scapular. The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was instituted for the Carmelites in 1332, and extended to the whole Church by Benedict XIII in 1726.
PRAYER:
May the venerable intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary come to our aid, we pray, O Lord, so that, fortified by her protection, we may reach the mountain which is Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment