Showing posts with label Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Show all posts

Saturday, September 24, 2022

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

Photo: R. Massaro Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Buckeye Lake, Ohio



The Virgin Mary is present in a special way, most of all as a model of faithfulness in listening to the Lord and in service to Him and to others. Mary is the one who preserved in her heart the life and actions of her Son and meditated on them, providing for us an example of contemplation. At Cana she counseled to do what the Lord commanded. Mary is an example of apostolic service. On another occasion, she waited, persevering in prayer with the apostles, for the coming of the Holy Spirit, thus giving witness to intercessory prayer. She is the Mother of the Order, Secular Carmel enjoys her special protection and cultivates a sincere Marian devotion.
The Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (Washington Province) I:4


A PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CAMEL

O, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruit of the Vine, splendorous of Heaven.
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity.

O, Star of the Sea, help me
and show herein you are my mother.

O, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth,
I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart
to succour me in my necessity.

There are none that can withstand your power,
O, show me here you are my mother.

O, Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.

Amen.











Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

FEAST DAYS OF OUR LADY

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Photo: R. Massaro Lourdes, France

(Please enjoy this most requested post on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Our Lady reveals herself to St. Bernadette:  

" I Am the Immaculate Conception"



It has been written that St. Bernadette desired to be a Carmelite nun but because of her poor health was not able to enter the Order. She eventually entered the Sisters of Charity at Nevers, France.

During the apparitions at Lourdes, very few words were spoken between St. Bernadette and Our Lady. Bernadette seemed to be a natural contemplative, she was quiet and reflective, she had an open heart and listened-ready to do the will of God. 

At the first apparition on Feb. 11, 1858, Bernadette heard the call of Our Lady, not only in the physical sign of Our Lady's impending appearance by the wind shaking the the trees, but in her heart. Bernadette described that she felt a "call" to go to the Grotto. It was an interior spiritual prompting of the Holy Spirit that attracted her to the Grotto to meet Our Lady in the later apparitions. Bernadette had to be a person of prayer to be attentive to this "call" and to respond to it.

Bernadette's meeting with Our Lady of Lourdes reflects the experience of the Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel. The holy Prophet encountered God in a soft whispering sound that spoke directly to his heart. For Bernadette, the Grotto becomes the mountain where she meets God through Our Lady, where she learns to pray, where she is given the gift of contemplation.

The 18th and final apparition of Our Lady to Bernadette took place on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Our Lady remained silent during the final meeting with Bernadette. They looked at each other with love. This holy exchange is a beautiful example of perfect contemplation, where love needs no words.

As Carmelites, the main point of our rule is allegiance to Jesus Christ, and an offshoot of that main point is to imitate the Virgin Mary who pondered the Word in her heart. We can see in the life of St. Bernadette how Mary led her to contemplation.

Let's start at the beginning: In the first apparition, Mary shows herself to Bernadette, smiles at her but remains silent.

Do you remember your first encounter with Christ? The moment he first called you to intimate friendship with him? How difficult was it to pray from the heart for the first time?

Second Apparition: Bernadette throws holy water at the apparition. People tell her it could be the devil.

After the invitation from Christ, we begin to doubt that we are worthy to be loved by Him. We ask ourselves, "Is this from God?" Family members and friends wonder what is going on with us!

Third Apparition: Our Lady asks Bernadette, "Would you do me the kindness of coming here for fifteen days?" "I do not promise you happiness in this life but in the other."

Our Lady asks us to remain faithful in prayer, faithful to our commitment as Carmelites to seek the face of God in prayer on behalf of the Church. We must die to ourselves and experience joy in God alone. Worldly things no longer attract us.

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Apparitions: Bernadette and Our Lady deepen their friendship. They pray together and even laugh together.

In the life of Carmel, our prayer life becomes deeper when we trust in the Lord as little children. We run to him and tell him everything; the joys and sorrows of our life. He is there to cry and laugh with us.

Eighth Apparition through the Twelfth: Our Lady with an air of sadness repeats: "penance, penance, penance." "Pray to God for sinners. " She asks Bernadette to kiss the ground for sinners...to eat the grass for sinners.

Now that our relationship with our Beloved has grown stronger he asks us to suffer with him, to take up our cross after him. The life of a Carmelite is a penitential one. Sometimes as Secular Carmelites we forget this aspect of our rule. We may adhere to the required prayer and spiritual reading, but do we really desire to mortify ourselves for the love of Christ?

Our Rules states:
The Secular Carmelite highly esteems the invitation of the Lord to deny himself and willingly to take up his cross daily and follow Him; he will, therefore, gladly mortify himself in union with the sacrifice of Christ, remembering, too, our Holy Mother Teresa's remark that "prayer cannot be accompanied by self-indulgence."

The Secular Carmelite will be especially faithful to the Church's penitential discipline. He will also, in accordance with the promptings of grace, and as far as circumstances will allow, make use of other means of mortification, particularly on those days and at those seasons that have a distinctive penitential character.

The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Apparitions: Our Lady asks Bernadette to "go tell the priests that people should come here in procession and that a chapel should be built here."

Bernadette is sent on mission. We, too, as Carmelites, through our individual and community apostolates, share in the missionary life of the Church. Whatever that may be, making rosaries, helping the poor and the sick, teaching others about our Catholic faith-we must step outside of ourselves, for our vocation is not just for our personal sanctification. Our gifts are given to us to benefit the entire Church.

Sixteenth Apparition: Feast of the Annunciation. Our Lady reveals her name: "I am the Immaculate Conception."

Bernadette has been faithful to Our Lady's request, to her commitment to meet our Lady for fifteen days. She is rewarded.

Bernadette reminds me of the apostle John at the foot of the Cross in which Our Lord entrusts Mary, his mother, to his home. Now, Bernadette, stands before Our Lady at the Grotto on behalf of the Church ready and eager to hear her beautiful name: Immaculate Conception!


Seventeenth Apparition: Miracle of the candle. Bernadette experiences spiritual ecstasy.

Our Lady has led Bernadette on a spiritual pilgrimage, the road of deep prayer. Now the little pilgrim, Bernadette, experiences God with her whole being, she experiences spiritual ecstasy. She has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

In their writings, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa explain in great detail about deep mystical experience in prayer. We know that this type of gift is just that-pure gift, infused by God. As St. Teresa says, it cannot be produced by one's own effort. St. Bernadette experienced deep prayer through the help and guidance of Our Lady. Let us imitate the humble virgin, Bernadette, and let Our Lady lead us safely up the mountain, to perfect contemplation, to union with Christ. 

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

HAPPY FEAST DAY TO ALL CARMELITES!
JULY 20
THE FEAST OF ST. ELIJAH



CARMELITE PROPER
(scroll down to July 20)
________________________________________

HAPPY FEAST DAY TO ALL CARMELITES!
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!






NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF 





Wednesday, July 16, 2014

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Solemnity for all Discalced Carmelites
Photo: R. Massaro-Carmelite Monastery Cleveland, Oh



It was through the blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus Christ came into the world, and it is also through her that he must reign in the world.                                                        St. Louis de Montfort



From the Carmelite Proper:

The sacred scriptures speak of the beauty of Mount Carmel where the prophet Elijah defended the faith of Israel in the living God. There, at the beginning of the thirteenth century, under the title of "Saint Mary of Mount Carmel, " the Order of Carmelites had its formal beginning. From the fourteenth century this title, recalling the countless blessings of its patroness, began to be celebrated solemnly, first in  England and then gradually throughout the whole Order. It attained its supreme place from the beginning of the seventeenth century, when the General Chapter declared it to be the principal feast of the Order, and Paul V recognized it as the feast of the Scapular Confraternity.

From the Mystical Institutions of Michael of Saint Augustine:

...Put yourself completely in her care; acknowledge her your best teacher, call upon her, the truly wise virgin; make every effort to prepare for and celebrate her different feasts worthily, in a word, act always as becomes a worthy son. In return you will learn how truly she is the mother of fair love and godly hope, overflowing with every grace of life and truth for you, radiating every hope of life and holiness. She never ceases to entreat for you those graces necessary for your perseverance in true holiness. At all times she acts as your well of living waters.
At the hour of your death she will not hesitate to proclaim herself your sister--indeed, your mother--so that she will be your greatest help at that hour. Then indeed will her assistance secure your salvation. Your life of devotion and attachment to her will gain for you a holy peaceful death in her love. She will carry you in her gentle motherly arms to the gate of Heaven. Truly those who love Mary will be blessed at their last hour.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds

Sunday, July 6, 2014


OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
FEAST DAY: JULY 16

Photo: R. Massaro-St. Rose Church Girard, Ohio



The Ten Books on the Way of Life
and Great Deeds of the Carmelites 
A medieval history of the Carmelites written c. 1385 by Felip Ribot, O. Carm

Why the members of this Order are called the brothers of the blessed virgin Mary and Why they serve this Virgin with especial zeal.

The members of this Order were mindful, therefore, that God had especially revealed to their predecessors through the above vision that a certain baby girl would be born, who from her mothers' womb would be free from all stain of sin, who like them would embrace voluntary virginity, and from her, though a virgin, the God-man would be born...

For, as vowing voluntary virginity to God was first inaugurated by the early members of this Order and thus introduced among men, so the same virginity for God was afterwards first introduced and inaugurated among women by the Mother of God, as we have noted above.

Thus, as the Carmelites were the first among men to undertake voluntary virginity, so was the blessed Mary the first among women to vow virginity. This unique conformity from the beginning between the Mother of God and the Carmelites over voluntary virginity, prophesied long ago and afterwards fulfilled, was the reason why the Carmelites, already in the time of the apostles, called the Virgin Mary their sister, and following this unique conformity, they called themselves the brothers of the blessed virgin Mary.



Carmelite Monastery-Haifa, Israel



Carmelites in the Holy Land (click on photo to visit their website)



Mary, Mother of the « Yes »

Mary, Mother of the "Yes," you have listened to Jesus,
And know the tone of his voice and the beating of his heart.
Morning Star, speak to us of him,
And tell us about your way following him on the path of faith.

Mary, who lived with Jesus in Nazareth,
Etch your sentiments in our lives,
Your docility, your listening silence,
And make the Word flourish in genuinely free choices.

Mary, speak to us of Jesus, so that the freshness of our faith,
Shines in our eyes and warms the heart of those who are with us,
As you did on visiting Elizabeth,
Who in old age rejoiced with you for the gift of life.

Mary, Virgin of the "Magnificat,"
Help us to take joy to the world and, as at Cana,
Lead every youth, committed to the service of brothers,
To do only what Jesus says.

Mary, look upon the agora [gathering] of youth,
So that it will be fertile terrain of the Italian Church.
Pray that Jesus, dead and risen, is reborn in us,
And transforms us into a night full of light, full of him.

Mary, Virgin of Loreto, Gate of Heaven,
Help us to raise our eyes.
We want to see Jesus, to speak with him,
And to proclaim his love to all.

(Holy Father’s prayer to Mary for the youth at the general Audience of St Valentine’s Day, 14 Feb 2007)









Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds




Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CARMELITE SAINT OF THE DAY

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

HAPPY FEAST DAY TO ALL CARMELITES!

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2013SpiritSinging
Carmelite Monastery Cleveland, Ohio
CARMELITE PROPER (scroll down to July 16 for Liturgy of Hours)


ANCIENT HYMN TO OUR LADY: FLOS CARMELI

FLOWER of Carmel, Tall vine blossom laden; Splendor of heaven, Childbearing yet maiden. None equals thee.

Mother so tender, Who no man didst know, On Carmel's children Thy favors bestow. Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse, Who bore one bright flower, Be ever near us And guard us each hour, who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies, That flowers among thorns, Bring help to the true heart That in weakness turns and trusts in thee.

Strongest of armor, We trust in thy might: Under thy mantle, Hard press'd in the fight, we call to thee.

Our way uncertain, Surrounded by foes, Unfailing counsel You give to those who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother Who in Carmel reigns, Share with your servants That gladness you gained and now enjoy.

Hail, Gate of Heaven, With glory now crowned, Bring us to safety Where thy Son is found, true joy to see. Amen.

(Alleluia.)











Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Monday, July 15, 2013

REMINDER: TODAY IS A DAY OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE FOR ALL SECULAR DISCALCED CARMELITES.




The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is Tuesday, July 16
a solemnity for all Discalced Carmelites.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie,ocds


Saturday, March 30, 2013

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY



Photo:Rmassaro(C)2013SpiritSinging


PRAYER FOR THE POOR SOULS 

O most Holy Virgin, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, you are the joy of the Church Triumphant, the help for the Church Militant, and the comfort of the Church Suffering. Therefore, extend, we pray you, your merciful glance on those numerous souls who suffer  in the fires of  purgatory and free them, that they may be admitted to the Beatific Vision of God as soon as possible.

Remember, O holy Virgin, to help especially those of my relatives, and those who are most abandoned and devoid of help. O most merciful Virgin, pour the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus on the elect  brides of Jesus Christ until they are comforted in the heavenly glories.

And you, holy souls, O elect souls,  who can do so much through your prayers to God for us, intercede, therefore, for us and free us from the dangers of body and soul. Protect our families until we have all been granted admission to eternal happiness. Amen.




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Saturday of Our Lady

Litany of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel


Photo:R.Massaro(C)2013SpiritSinging
St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio






Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Queen of Heaven
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Victorious over Satan
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Most Obedient Daughter
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Most Pure Virgin
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Devoted Spouse
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mother Most Tender
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Model of Perfect Virtue
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sure anchor of Hope
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Dispenser of the Gifts of God
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bastion Against Our Enemies
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our aid in Danger
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, The Way Leading to Jesus
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Light in Darkness
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Consolation at the Hour of Death
Pray for us Sinners.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Advocate of the Most Abandoned Sinners
Pray for us Sinners.

For the hardened in vice,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

For those who offend Thy Divine Son,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

For those who neglect to pray,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

For those who are in agony,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

For those who defer their conversion,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

For those suffering in purgatory,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

For those who do not know thee,
With confidence we come to thee, O Lady of Mount Carmel

Let us pray,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, glorious Queen of Angels,
channel of God's tenderest mercy to man,
refuge and advocate of sinners,
with confidence I prostrate myself before thee,
beseeching thee to obtain for me (mention request)

In return I solemnly promise to have recourse to thee
in all my trials, sufferings and temptations,
and I shall do all in my power to induce others
to love and reverence thee and to invoke thee in all their needs.

I thank thee for the numberless blessings
which I have received from thy mercy and powerful intercession,
Continue to be my shield in danger, my guide in life,
and my consolation at the hour of death. Amen.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year




As the new year begins with the Solemnity of Our Lady, under the title of "Mother of God." Let us renew our efforts to become holy Catholics and holy Carmelites under her patronage.  Let us deepen our devotion to our Good Mother: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  May she lead us safely to union with her Divine Son.

A Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O Most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.

O, show me herein you are my Mother, O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. Amen.

 
POPE BENEDICT'S HOMILY-SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD





Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Monday, July 16, 2012

CARMELITE SAINT OF THE DAY

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL


Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us that have recourse to thee. (3 times)
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.





Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Saturday of Our Lady

Our Lady of the Scapular


For centuries, devotion to Mary through the wearing of the Brown Scapular has been the cornerstone of the Discalced Carmelite Order's dedication to Mary and to a life of prayer lived in imitation of Mary.

Tradition tells us that the Scapular was presented by Mary to the English Carmelite, Saint  Simon Stock, in the year 1251, as a sign of Mary's special love and protection for all Carmelites. Ever since that date, the Brown Scapular has come to symbolize Carmel's unlimited confidence in Mary's prayerful intercession with her Divine Son.

Dedication to Mary and to a life of prayer are the two distinctive characteristics of the Carmelite Order.

The Scapular, in its monastic apron form, is an integral part of the habit of Carmelites. The miniaturized version of this sacramental consists of two panels of cloth, joined by a cord and worn over the shoulders.

May the Scapular of Carmel be for all its wearers a constant and visible reminder of Our Lady's prayers and protection.

(Information taken from Discalced Carmelite Friars of HOLY HILL)


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Carmelite Saint of the Day

Happy Feast Day to all Carmelites!
Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel


FLOS CARMELI
(Flower of Carmel-Ancient Hymn to Mary)
Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera, splendor caeli, virgo puerpera singularis.


FLOWER of Carmel, Tall vine blossom laden; Splendor of heaven, Childbearing yet maiden. None equals thee.

Mater mitis sed viri nescia Carmelitis esto propitia stella maris.
Mother so tender, Who no man didst know, On Carmel's children Thy favors bestow. Star of the Sea.

Radix Iesse germinans flosculum nos ad esse tecum in saeculum patiaris.
Strong stem of Jesse, Who bore one bright flower, Be ever near us And guard us each hour, who serve thee here.

Inter spinas quae crescis lilium serva puras mentes fragilium tutelaris.
Purest of lilies, That flowers among thorns, Bring help to the true heart That in weakness turns and trusts in thee.

Armatura fortis pugnantium furunt bella tende praesidium scapularis.
Strongest of armor, We trust in thy might: Under thy mantle, Hard press'd in the fight, we call to thee.

Per incerta prudens consilium per adversa iuge solatium largiaris.
Our way uncertain, Surrounded by foes, Unfailing counsel You give to those who turn to thee.

Mater dulcis Carmeli domina, plebem tuam reple laetitia qua bearis.
O gentle Mother Who in Carmel reigns, Share with your servants That gladness you gained and now enjoy.

Paradisi clavis et ianua, fac nos duci quo, Mater, gloria coronaris. Amen. (Alleluia.)
Hail, Gate of Heaven, With glory now crowned, Bring us to safety Where thy Son is found, true joy to see. Amen. (Alleluia.)

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
__________________



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Saturday of Our Lady

(Photo: R. Massaro)

Your head crowns you like Carmel, how fair and pleasant you are. (Cant.7,5,6)

Mary's closing visit to Lourdes was on July 16 the feast which honors her under the title of Carmel. She came at sunset. Her choice of day must not have been an accident. The very name Carmel must have filled her with fond memories...

And in a sense Carmel linked two worlds, east and west, past and future. A mountain hallowed by prayer before she was born, a place that would do her honor from age to age. There are flowers on Mount Carmel when there are none elsewhere.

The Ascent of Mt. Carmel is a well-worn path travelled down through the centuries by countless members of the Order, which glories in the title of Carmel who have been richly rewarded for the ardor of the ascent, for in their souls have blossomed flowers of holiness of the rarest quality.

Prayer:
Let us rejoice, Beloved, and let us go forth to behold ourselves in your beauty. To the mountain and to the hill, to where the pure water flows...there you will show me what my soul has been seeking."
(an excerpt from Pilgrims with Mary, John Moloney P.P.)

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
____________________

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Happy Feast Day to all Carmelites!-SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL


(Evening Prayer I, Office of Readings, Morning & Evening Prayer)

The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites







Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
________________

Thursday, July 16, 2009

OCDS Solemnity-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel


Happy Feast Day to All Carmelites!

FLOS CARMELI
The Miraculous Prayer to Our Lady
of Mt. Carmel by St. Simon Stock

Most Holy Virgin, Beauty of Carmel! Virgin Flower forever in bloom! Bright Ornament of Heaven! Thous Virgin Mother of the Man-God! Mother of holy love! Mother of mercy and meekness! Mother honored above all mothers! Star of the sea! Be thou propitious to thy dear children of Carmel, and to all who have the happiness of wearing thy holy Scapular. Amen.

A Prayer Composed by St. John of the Cross

O Mary, Most Holy Mother of Carmel, Virgin of Virgins, Sanctuary of the Blessed Trinity, Mirror of Angels, assured Refuge of Sinners, have compassion on us in our sufferings, listen to our sighs with clemency, and appease the anger of thy Divine Son. Amen.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
_________________

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Saturday of Our Lady

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Feast Day: July 16

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved son, my Savior, choose thee for my Patroness, that through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
______________________

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena

Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel


O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us that have recourse to thee. (3 times)

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.

First Day


O most glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! I, an unworthy wearer of your holy Scapular, confident however that the Church does not call you in vain the "Refuge of Sinners," do implore you to make me aware of the favors you have bestowed upon me, by promoting the welfare of your holy Order, that being truly contrite for past offenses, I may by your aid and assistance, break the chains of my slavery, and live from this day forward in the happy liberty of the children of God. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.



Second Day


O glorious Queen of Angels! Most pure and ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! Powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy Scapular! Faithful Protectress of all the servants of your Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved Son, my Savior, choose you for my Mother, that through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.



Third Day


Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you o Virgin of Virgins, my mother. Before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.



Fourth Day


O most Glorious and ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel! I, your unworthy child , aware of the favors you enjoy with God, humbly present myself before you, and beg that you would intercede and obtain for me true contrition and repentance, and undefiled purity of heart, and a conscience free from sin and all offense against God; direct me, I implore you, in all my actions during life, and in that awful moment when my poor soul departs from my body, conduct it into the presence of thy Son, there to sing His praises forever and ever. Amen.



Fifth Day


O most glorious Virgin Mother, who, by favor of your divine Son has so great power in heaven and on earth, enlighten my blindness and strengthen my resolution. The zeal you have in promoting the welfare of your sacred Order, and the part you take in seeing the grace of our Redeemer abound in us, give me a right to your interest in this my request; and when the hour of death approaches, be to me, I implore you, a tender Mother, and by your prayers dispose your Son Jesus Christ favorably in my regard. Amen.



Sixth Day


O most glorious and ever Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel, I offer to you this day, all my thoughts, words and actions: I am weak and sinful, dejected and cast down at every trial. O Mother of Mercy and refuge of sinners you will not reject a contrite and humble heart. Intercede for me, I implore you, that I may so live in this sinful world, that at the hour of death I may be worthy to be admitted into the presence of the Blessed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who , with the father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.



Seventh Day


O most Holy Mary of Mt. Carmel, pray for me, I implore you, that through the merits of your Son, I may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and that I may serve him faithfully in this life, and hereafter see, love, and enjoy Him in the kingdom of His glory. Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.



Eighth Day


O most glorious and ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel, faithful Patron of all those who wear your holy Scapular, behold your poor servant humbly prostrate at your feet, imploring your prayers, and imploring you to protect her through the stormy ocean of this tempestuous world; hear my prayers then, O refuge of sinners, and after this our exile show unto us the Blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O most clement, O most loving, O most sweet Virgin Mary!



Ninth Day


O Blessed Finder of Grace, Mother of Life, Mother of Salvation! May we through you have access to your Son; and may He, Who was given us through you, receive us through you. May your integrity and innocence excuse before Him the stain of our corruption; may your abundant charity cover the multitude of our sins, and your glorious fruitfulness supply our want of merits. Our Mother, our Mediatrix, our Advocate, reconcile us to your Son, commend us to your Son, present us to your Son; by the grace with which you are honored, obtain that He, who through you put on our weakness, may, through you, make us partakers of His glory. Amen.



Saturday, March 28, 2009

Saturday of Our Lady

(stained glass window in St. Anthony's Church Akron, Ohio)
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel:
Flos Carmeli (Flower of Carmel)
Traditional Medieval Marian Anthem-normally sung by Carmelites after Night Prayer


Flower of Carmel, blossoming, bearing one, light of heaven,

mother of God's dear Son,

vine and virgin.

Gentle parent,

pure beyond human love,

bless your children,

star shining far above

this world's ocean.

Root of Jesse,

flower in the cradling

bud,

take us to you,

keep us with you in God,

his together.

All-chaste lily

rising despite the thorn,

strengthen, help us,

so feeble, soon forlorn,

great protectress.

Be our armor,

valiant for Christ when

war

rages round us,

hold high the scapular,

strong and saving.

In our stumbling

guide us on God's wise way,

in our sorrow

comfort us as we pray;

rich your mercy.

Holy lady,

Carmel's great friend and queen,

feast your people

from your own bliss, the

unseen

grace,God's goodness.

Key and gateway

opening on Paradise,

mother, win us

a place with you in Christ,

crowned in glory.



Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds