OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
FEAST: JULY 16
Novena: July 7-15
Novena: July 7-15
True devotion to Mary, Mother of God is always present in Carmelite Spirituality. We encourage you to join in this special devotion to Mary, Our Lady of mt. Carmel. Say the following prayers faithfully, trusting in Mary as your mother and surrendering yourself to the will of God. You may say these prayers as a novena for nine consecutive Saturdays or as a daily devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
O most beautiful Flower of Carmel, fruitful vine, Splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, immaculate Virgin, assist me in my time of need. O Star of the Sea help me and show me 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 assist me in this my urgent need. O show me that you are my Mother. God, our father, never leaves unaided those for whom you pray. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Amen.
Our Father.. Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
FLOWER OF CARMEL
Flower of Carmel, tall vine blossom laden; splendor of heaven, child-bearing yet maiden, none equals thee. Mother so tender, whom 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 trust in thee. Strongest of armor, we trust in thy might, under thy mantle, hard pressed 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.
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
O most beautiful Flower of Carmel, fruitful vine, Splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, immaculate Virgin, assist me in my time of need. O Star of the Sea help me and show me 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 assist me in this my urgent need. O show me that you are my Mother. God, our father, never leaves unaided those for whom you pray. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Amen.
Our Father.. Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
FLOWER OF CARMEL
Flower of Carmel, tall vine blossom laden; splendor of heaven, child-bearing yet maiden, none equals thee. Mother so tender, whom 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 trust in thee. Strongest of armor, we trust in thy might, under thy mantle, hard pressed 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.
THE BROWN SCAPULAR
The world in which we live is full of material things
that
have
symbolic meaning: light, fire, water... there are also, in everyday
life, experiences of relationships between human beings, which express
and symbolize deeper realities such as
taking part
in a protest march (as a sign of solidarity), joining together in a
national celebration (as a sign of identity). Click Here
The Blessed Virgin teaches us:
The Blessed Virgin teaches us:
- To be open to God, and to his will, shown to us in the events of our lives;
- To Listen to the Word of God in the Bible and in life, to believe in it and to put into practice its demands;
- To pray at all times, as a way of discovering the presence of God in all that is happening around us;
- To be involved with people, being attentive to their needs. Click here
THE BRIGITTINE ROSARY
The Brigittine Rosary was instituted and propagated by St. Bridget of Sweden. The six decade rosary, or Brigittine beads, is traditional in the Discalced Carmelite Order as part of the habit. The reason for its adoption is found in the explanation of these beads.
The Brigittine beads number seven "Our Father" in honor of the sorrows and joys, of the Blessed Virgin, and sixty three "Hail Mary's" to commemorate the years of her life." Besides the introductory "Our Father" and three "Hail Mary's" there are six mysteries or decades in each of the three parts or divisions. In the six Joyful Mysteries the first mystery is The Immaculate Conception, the sixth of the Sorrowful Mysteries is The Dead Jesus in the Arms of His Mother, the sixth of the Glorious Mysteries is The Patronage of Mary. The other mysteries are the same as in the Rosary in common use. At the end of each decade, the Apostle's Creed, not the Glory, is recited. (Fr. Kevin, OCD, Way of Perfection for the Laity (Dublin: M.J. Gill & Son).
The Brigittine Rosary was richly indulgenced by Pope Leo X in 1515, by Clement XI in 1716, and by Benedict XIV in 1743.
DEVOTION TO SAINT ELIJAH
Feast Day: July 20
Saint Elijah with St. Elisha
Saint Elijah is the leader and spiritual father of the Carmelites. His story can be found in the first and second book of Kings.
Prayer to Saint Elijah
"O glorious St. Elijah, ever a mirror of sanctity and justice, while
living in this valley of tears, obtain for us of God the grace to be
your followers on earth, that we may one day be partakers with you in
the everlasting glory in heaven. O great Patriarch of the Order of
Mount Carmel, teacher of God's people and the defender of their Faith,
disperse, we entreat you, the darkness of our intellect, obscured by our
evil passions, and preserve in our hearts the Faith which is kept
living by works of charity. O holy Patriarch of the Most high, taken
into heaven in a chariot of fire, and who shall be the precursor of
Christ, when He shall come in the splendor of his infinite majesty to
judge the living and the dead, pray for us, that loving Him and
sincerely serving Him on earth, we may have the great happiness of
loving Him for all eternity in the blessed kingdom of heaven. Amen."DEVOTION TO THE INFANT JESUS
Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague began in the monastery of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of Prague about the year 1628. The religious of this monastery received a very beautiful statue of of the Infant Jesus as a gift, and it soon became a source of numerous favors. In 1631, Prague was invaded and the statue of the Holy Infant was mocked and thrown into a heap of trash. A few years afterward the miraculous image was recovered and repaired by the Venerable Father Cyril, a Carmelite of that monastery. One day this holy religious was praying before the Holy Image and he heard these consoling words: "The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you." So many graces and blessings were granted to those who practiced this devotion that it began to spread to other countries, until today, it is known throughout the world.
CHAPLET OF THE INFANT JESUS
Jesus Himself revealed this devotion to the Ven. Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament, Dicalced Carmelite nun, who dies at Beaune, France in the year 1648. Jesus exhorted her to make it known among the faithful and promised most special graces, especially innocence and purity, to those who would carry the chaplet in their person and recite it with the intention to honor the Mysteries of the Divine Infancy.
CHAPLET OF THE INFANT JESUS
Jesus Himself revealed this devotion to the Ven. Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament, Dicalced Carmelite nun, who dies at Beaune, France in the year 1648. Jesus exhorted her to make it known among the faithful and promised most special graces, especially innocence and purity, to those who would carry the chaplet in their person and recite it with the intention to honor the Mysteries of the Divine Infancy.
METHOD OF RECITING THE CHAPLET
O God, come to my aid,
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be..
Holy Infant Jesus, bless me.
On the first three beads:
And the Word was made Flesh.... Our Father
Then say:
And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us.
The "Hail Mary" is recited on each of the other 12 beads in honor of the 12 years of Our Lord's childhood.
Glory be... is said in the end.
O God, come to my aid,
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be..
Holy Infant Jesus, bless me.
On the first three beads:
And the Word was made Flesh.... Our Father
Then say:
And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us.
The "Hail Mary" is recited on each of the other 12 beads in honor of the 12 years of Our Lord's childhood.
Glory be... is said in the end.
POWERFUL NOVENA PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS
O Jesus, who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I seek, I knock, I ask that my prayer be granted. O Jesus, who has said: "All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your Name that my prayer be granted. O Jesus, who has said: "Heaven and earth will pass away but My word will not pass away," through the intercession of Mary, your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted." Amen.
O Jesus, who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I seek, I knock, I ask that my prayer be granted. O Jesus, who has said: "All that you ask of the Father in My Name He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your Name that my prayer be granted. O Jesus, who has said: "Heaven and earth will pass away but My word will not pass away," through the intercession of Mary, your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted." Amen.
DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH
All Carmelites have a special devotion to the glorious St. Joseph, Protector of the Order. It is well known that the devotion to St. Joseph in the Western Church was greatly inflamed and augmented by the zeal of St. Teresa. She chose him for her master and guide in the spiritual life; she dedicated thirteen of her monasteries to him and she affirms that she never made a request to him that he did not grant her. St. Teresa infused her own zeal and her love for her glorious patron into the hearts of the children of Carmel.
THE CHAPLET OF ST. JOSEPH
The chaplet of St. Joseph is composed of sixty beads, in honor of the sixty years St. Joseph lived upon earth, and is divided into fifteen parts, each consisting of one white and three small beads. The white beads signify St. Joseph's purity, the blue his saintly pitey. On each of the white beads a mystery of the rosary os considered and the Hail Mary is said. On the blue beads is said: "Praised and blessed be, Jesus, Mary and Joseph." Complete the chaplet with the following prayer:
V. Praise for us, O holy St. Joseph.
R. That we made be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray:
O God, who has predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine eternal Son and is Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of thy Son, we beseech thee, through all the services he has rendered to Jesus and Mary on earth, that thou would make us worthy of his intercession and gran us to enjoy the happiness of his company in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH
O Glorious Father, St. Joseph, you who have power to render possible things that are for us impossible. Come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under your particular protection that it may end happily. O dear father, St. Joseph, all our confidence is in you. Let it not be said that we would invoke you in vain. And since you are so powerful with Jesus and Mary, now show us that goodness equals your power. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
MEMORARE TO SAINT JOSEPH
Remember, O amiable and powerful protector, St. Joseph, that according to the testimony of your devoted servant, great St. Teresa, no one ever implored your intercession with devotion and confidence without obtaining relief. Animated by this sweet and consoling hope, I come to you, O worthy spouse of the Virgin of virgins, and at your feet, I seek for refuge and protection. O you, who have borne the glorious title of father of Jesus, reject not my humble prayer, but hear it favorably and present it for me to Him who disdained not to be called your son, and who will not refuse your petition. Amen.
THE CHAPLET OF ST. JOSEPH
The chaplet of St. Joseph is composed of sixty beads, in honor of the sixty years St. Joseph lived upon earth, and is divided into fifteen parts, each consisting of one white and three small beads. The white beads signify St. Joseph's purity, the blue his saintly pitey. On each of the white beads a mystery of the rosary os considered and the Hail Mary is said. On the blue beads is said: "Praised and blessed be, Jesus, Mary and Joseph." Complete the chaplet with the following prayer:
V. Praise for us, O holy St. Joseph.
R. That we made be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray:
O God, who has predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine eternal Son and is Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of thy Son, we beseech thee, through all the services he has rendered to Jesus and Mary on earth, that thou would make us worthy of his intercession and gran us to enjoy the happiness of his company in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH
O Glorious Father, St. Joseph, you who have power to render possible things that are for us impossible. Come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under your particular protection that it may end happily. O dear father, St. Joseph, all our confidence is in you. Let it not be said that we would invoke you in vain. And since you are so powerful with Jesus and Mary, now show us that goodness equals your power. Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
MEMORARE TO SAINT JOSEPH
Remember, O amiable and powerful protector, St. Joseph, that according to the testimony of your devoted servant, great St. Teresa, no one ever implored your intercession with devotion and confidence without obtaining relief. Animated by this sweet and consoling hope, I come to you, O worthy spouse of the Virgin of virgins, and at your feet, I seek for refuge and protection. O you, who have borne the glorious title of father of Jesus, reject not my humble prayer, but hear it favorably and present it for me to Him who disdained not to be called your son, and who will not refuse your petition. Amen.
CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL
This devotion owes its origin to the following circumstances. In the year 1751 St. Michael appeared to an illustrious servant of God, Antonia d'Astonae, a Carmelite in Portugal. He expressed the wish that she should publish for his honor nine salutations corresponding to the nine choirs of angels. It was to consist in the recitation of a Pater and three Aves in honor of the angelic hierarchies, then four Paters, the first in his honor, the second in honor of St. Gabriel, the third for St. Raphael, and the last for the Guardian Angel. As a reward, the glorious prince of the celestial court promised: Whoever would practice this devotion in his honor would have, when approaching the Holt Table, an escort of nine angels. In addition, for the daily recital of these salutations he promised his continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life, and after death deliverance from Purgatory for themselves and their relations.
DEVOTIONS FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
AUGUST 15
Humbly kneel and close your eyes and your thoughts to the world around you. Imagine yourself present at this glorious mystery, follow with pious joy our blessed Lady as that happy troop of angels carry her to heaven, and in memory of her crown of twelve stars, humbly offer and present to her this little chaplet of twelve praises and Hail Marys.
1. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thy beloved Son did call thee up to heaven. Hail Mary...
2. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when first the angels took thee in their honored arms. Hail Mary..
3. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when all the court of heaven did come out to meet thee. Hail Mary.
4. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when they did place thee on the right hand of thy Son in heaven. Hail Mary..
5. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when with such honor they did welcome thee in heaven. Hail Mary.
6. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when they did place the crown on thy head in heaven. Hail Mary..
7. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when first they hailed you Daughter! Mother! Spouse of God!
Hail Mary..
8. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when all in heaven owned thee for their Queen. Hail Mary..
9. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when all heavenly hosts and spirits of the blest paid thee their homage. Hail Mary..
10. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thou was named our advocate in heaven. Hail Mary..
11. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thou did begin thy prayers for us in heaven. Hail Mary..
12. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thou will deign to welcome us in heaven. Hail Mary..
Mary is taken up on high, the angels are full of joy, they praise and bless the Lord.
Let Us Pray:
O God, we beseech thee, pardon the sins of your people, and grant that we, who of ourselves are not able to do anything pleasing in your sight, may at last be saved through the intercession of the beloved Mother of thy Son our Lord, who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
V: Holy Mother of God
R: Hear our prayers. Amen
Source: "Carmelite Devotions"
1. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thy beloved Son did call thee up to heaven. Hail Mary...
2. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when first the angels took thee in their honored arms. Hail Mary..
3. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when all the court of heaven did come out to meet thee. Hail Mary.
4. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when they did place thee on the right hand of thy Son in heaven. Hail Mary..
5. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when with such honor they did welcome thee in heaven. Hail Mary.
6. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when they did place the crown on thy head in heaven. Hail Mary..
7. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when first they hailed you Daughter! Mother! Spouse of God!
Hail Mary..
8. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when all in heaven owned thee for their Queen. Hail Mary..
9. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when all heavenly hosts and spirits of the blest paid thee their homage. Hail Mary..
10. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thou was named our advocate in heaven. Hail Mary..
11. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thou did begin thy prayers for us in heaven. Hail Mary..
12. Blessed, O Mary! blessed be that hour when thou will deign to welcome us in heaven. Hail Mary..
Mary is taken up on high, the angels are full of joy, they praise and bless the Lord.
Let Us Pray:
O God, we beseech thee, pardon the sins of your people, and grant that we, who of ourselves are not able to do anything pleasing in your sight, may at last be saved through the intercession of the beloved Mother of thy Son our Lord, who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
V: Holy Mother of God
R: Hear our prayers. Amen
Source: "Carmelite Devotions"
Gian Lorenzo Bernini, "The Ecstasy of St. Teresa," Rome
AUGUST 26
"I would see beside me, on my left hand, an angel in bodily form . . . He was not tall, but short, and very beautiful, his face so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest types of angel who seem to be all afire. . . In his hands I saw a long golden spear and at the end of the iron tip I seemed to see a point of fire. With this he seemed to pierce my heart several times so that it penetrated to my entrails. When he drew it out, I thought he was drawing them out with it and he left me completely afire for the great love of God. The pain was so sharp that it made me utter several moans; and so excessive was the sweetness caused me by this intense pain that one can never wish to lose it."
Autobiography of St. Teresa of Jesus
PRAYER:
O God! Who has pierced, with a fiery dart, the pure heart of the blessed virgin Teresa, thy spouse and our mother, and has consecrated her the victim of love; grant, through her intercession, we beseech thee, that our hearts may glow with the fervor of the Holy Spirit, and that they may love thee in all things and above all things, who lives and reigns, with God the Father, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
"I would see beside me, on my left hand, an angel in bodily form . . . He was not tall, but short, and very beautiful, his face so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest types of angel who seem to be all afire. . . In his hands I saw a long golden spear and at the end of the iron tip I seemed to see a point of fire. With this he seemed to pierce my heart several times so that it penetrated to my entrails. When he drew it out, I thought he was drawing them out with it and he left me completely afire for the great love of God. The pain was so sharp that it made me utter several moans; and so excessive was the sweetness caused me by this intense pain that one can never wish to lose it."
Autobiography of St. Teresa of Jesus
PRAYER:
O God! Who has pierced, with a fiery dart, the pure heart of the blessed virgin Teresa, thy spouse and our mother, and has consecrated her the victim of love; grant, through her intercession, we beseech thee, that our hearts may glow with the fervor of the Holy Spirit, and that they may love thee in all things and above all things, who lives and reigns, with God the Father, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
