Our Lady of Mount Carmel
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a title traditionally given to Blessed Virgin Mary, in honor of her having given the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to Saint Simon Stock. Her feast is celebrated on July 16. As well as St. Simon Stock, there are other Carmelite saints such as St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa of Ávila.[1][2]
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[edit] Pious Tradition
According to pious Tradition, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock at Cambridge, England on Sunday, 16 July, 1251. In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, she appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said: "Take, beloved son, this scapular of thine 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".[3] This tradition appears in precise form for the first time in 1642, when the words of the Blessed Virgin were given in a circular of St. Simon Stock which he is said to have dictated to Peter Boyle, his secretary and confessor. It is widely believed that its general content remains a reliable pious tradition; in other words, that St. Simon Stock was given certain supernatural assurances:
- The special protection of the Blessed Virgin for his whole order and for all those wearing the Carmelite habit
- Special aid, especially in the hour of death, to those wearing the habit in her honour throughout life, so that they should be preserved from hell. Indirectly, this promise is extended to all who from devotion to the Mother of God should wear her habit or badge and be thus as if it were affiliated to the Carmelite Order.
[edit] Sabbatine privilege
According to a bull from 1322, Our Lady appeared to Pope John XXII and told him that she would rescue from purgatory those that wore the scapular and followed a specific discipline of abstinence and prayer[3][4]. This promise is known as the Sabbatine privilege.
[edit] Gallery of statues
Statues of Our Lady of Mount Carmel usually depict her with a Brown scapular.
 Beniaján, Spain |
 Biscay, Spain |
In some cases she is accompanied with angels. In some cases souls in Purgatory are depicted, pleading for her mediation, implying her role as Mediatrix.
 Beniaján, Spain |
 Boston, USA |
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Specific Scapulars |
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[edit] See also
- Mount Carmel
- Byzantine Discalced Carmelites
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Learning Center
[edit] References
- ^ Catholic Encyclopedia on the Carmelites [1]
- ^ Catholic Encyclopedia [2]
- ^ She told him, "I, the Mother of grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I shall free, so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting." The Brown Scapular
- ^ Purgatory and Indulgences
