Thought for the Day – 16 July – The Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Thought for the Day – 16 July – The Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

A 1996 doctrinal statement approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments states that:

“Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is bound to the history and spiritual values of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and is expressed through the scapular.   Thus, whoever receives the scapular becomes a member of the order and pledges him/herself to live according to its spirituality in accordance with the characteristics of his/her state in life.”

According to the Church on the Brown Scapular:

“The scapular is a Marian habit or garment.
It is both a sign and pledge.
A sign of belonging to Mary, a pledge of her motherly protection, not only in this life but after death.

As a sign, it is a conventional sign signifying three elements strictly joined:

first, belonging to a religious family particularly devoted to Mary, especially dear to Mary, the Carmelite Order;

second, consecration to Mary, devotion to and trust in her Immaculate Heart;

third, an urge to become like Mary by imitating her virtues, above all her humility, chastity and spirit of prayer.”

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The Shorter Form of Blessing and Bestowing the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel.

The Postulant kneels before the Priest, who is vested in surplice and white stole and the Priest says:

V. Show us Your mercy, O Lord.
R. And grant us Your salvation.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with Your spirit.
Let us pray:
O Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of men, bless † with Your right hand this habit which, for Your love and for the love of Your holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, this Your Servant (Handmaid) shall wear devoutly, so that, through the intercession of the same Blessed Virgin, Your Mother, he (she) may be guarded against the wicked one and remain until death in Your grace. Who lives and reigns, world without end.
R. Amen.

The Priest sprinkles the Scapular with holy water and, placing it upon the shoulders of the postulant, says:

Receive this blessed habit and pray the most Holy Virgin
that by her merits you may bear it without stain
and that she may guard you from all adversity
and bring thee unto life everlasting.
R. Amen.

By the power that has been granted to me, I admit you to share in all the spiritual blessings which, through the cooperation of our merciful Saviour, Jesus Christ, are obtained by the Religious of Mount Carmel.
In the name of the Father and of the Son, † and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen

Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, bless † you, He Who has vouchsafed to join you unto the Society and Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel; let us beseech her, therefore, that in the our of your death she may bruise the head of the old serpent and that you may obtain the palm of victory and the crown of inheritance everlasting. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Then the Priest sprinkles the Recipient with holy water.

Notice--Scapulars of Our Lady of Mount Carmel can now be replaced by a MEDAL, having on one side the image of Our Lord showing His Sacred Heart and on the other, the image of the Blessed Virgin;  even, ONE such medal can replace SEVERAL scapulars:  but, then, it must receive just as many blessings as there are scapulars to be replaced, one sign of the Cross, however, suffices for each blessing.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for us!