Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady, Queen and Beauty of Mount Carmel

From the Secular Carmelite Rule:

The Blessed Virgin Mary holds a particular place in the life of a Carmelite. She is, first of all, his model of fidelity to grace and constancy in God's service. She is also Mother of the Whole Order, which enjoys her special patronage.

The Secular Carmelite's interior life must be permeated by an intense devotion to Our Lady. Exteriorly, too, he will honor her daily by some particular act, and by wearing the brown Scapular of Carmel.

From the Divine Office on this holy Feast Day-

The Canticle of Zechariah:

Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, proclaims joy to the whole world, for from you arose the glorious Sun of Justice, Christ our God; he freed us from the age-old curse and filled us with holiness; he destroyed death and gave us eternal life.

St. Therese in awe of God for the Blessed Virgin:

"Oh, who could have thought of the Blessed Virgin Mary!"

Religious and Lay people throughout the world sing a hymn to Mary after evening prayer:

Salve Regina

(Hail, Holy Queen)

Salve, Regina,mater misericordiae;

Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clammamus, exsules, filii Hevae.

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes inhac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos

ad nos converte.

Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc

exsilium ostende:

O clemens:

O pia:

O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie