Our Lady of Mount Carmel

     I'm proud to say I have beloved friends in the sweet order of the Carmelites in Valparaiso Nebraska. They are beloved to me because they have taken in this stranger, who never meeting them before has asked for their intercession many a time for dire and special intentions. Without hesitation they take my requests, and with loving words assure me of their prayers. Once was when my son-in-law got Covid. At only 33 years of age was deathly sick with that horrid curse and died twice while in the hospital for months. The Carmelites prayed to our Beloved Blessed Mother and he miraculously pulled through. Another time, in great need of spiritual direction, I asked again for their intercession and my prayers were answered immediately. As if Mary Herself was holding me in Her arms, I felt the power of those Carmelite prayers. The Carmelite order, like many Holy Orders of the Catholic Church are very powerful through their prayers. 

     We celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16th. Long ago, Christian hermits who dedicated a chapel to Her in the 12th-13th centuries, with a key element of the Brown Scapular, which is linked to a tradition of Mary appearing to Saint Simon Stock and promising special protection to all who wore it with devotion. Mount Carmel is located on a Holy mountain in Israel. It's association with the prophet Elijah and his challenge to the prophets of Baal is also noted as an important significance. Tradition holds that Mary appearing to St Simon's Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, was given a Holy Scapular, promising protection from all evil to all who wore it with devotion to Her. The prophet Elijah's victory over Baal on Mount Carmel is seen as a prefiguration of Mary's role as the one who brings victory over evil and sin. 

     I'm blessed to be a Catholic. Blessed to have a biography of belief in my Faith, with all of its teachings and witnesses to Divinity. I'm blessed knowing my dear little Carmelites, who with true devotion and sincerity, place all petitions directly into the hands of our beloved Blessed Virgin Mary. 

     Wear the scapular. Pray the Rosary. Give Honor and Glory to God on High. He has blessed all of us with this precious Order, but most of all, He has blessed us with our Lady of Mount Carmel.