St. Teresa's Chapel, Germantown, NY
The Carmelite Order celebrates the Solemnity of their Patroness on July 16. It's an ancient devotion that was born on Mount Carmel and perpetuated by her sons and daughters throughout the centuries. The Brown Scapular became a symbol of this filial devotion to Mary and down through history the brown scapular became the most popular sacramental beloved by the People of God along with the holy rosary. Sr. Lucia, one of the visionaries of the Fatima apparition and a Carmelite nun said, "The Rosary and Scapular are inseparable."
Below are one of many forms of novena prayers the Carmelite Order recites from July 7-15 (or July 8-16) in preparation for the Order's Solemnity on July 16th. A novena are nine days of preparatory prayers to a particular Saint for a particular intention. It is inspired by the scriptural event of Pentecost as Mary and the Twelve awaited the promised Paraclete in Jerusalem in the Upper Room. (Acts 2:1-4)
Each day, for nine days, you petition our Heavenly Mother for all your very special needs. It is a time of prayer and reflection that will bring you closer to her heart and to the heart of Jesus, her Son. Trust in Our Lady's motherly love and compassion. Go to her with confidence!
Prayer for Everyday of Novena:
Immaculate
Virgin and Queen of Carmel, you are the hope of the sufferer and the
consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only
that I m a poor soul redeemed by the precious Blood of your Son, and
that my heart is sealed with your holy scapular. Hear my prayer and if
it be for the glory of God, your honor, and for the salvation of my
soul, grant what I ask in this novena. Amen.
FIRST DAY
The prayer Flos Carmeli (Flower of Carmel) was composed by Saint Simon Stock, and in answer he received the Scapular from our Blessed Mother.
O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother! (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
SECOND DAY
Most Holy Mary, our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
THIRD DAY
O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your faithful children. May we always wear it with honor by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
FOURTH DAY
When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as your children in joy, peace and love. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
FIFTH DAY
O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God's people. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
SIXTH DAY
With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defense against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
SEVENTH DAY
O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
EIGHT DAY
You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fire of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
NINTH DAY
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your children. We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death. Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of Our Savior, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls!
(pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
O
Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel, I come today to consecrate myself to
you, for my whole life is a but a small return for the many graces and
blessings that have come from God to me through your hands. Since you
regard with an eye of special kindness those who wear your Scapular, I
implore you to strengthen my weakness with your power, to enlighten the
darkness of my mind with your wisdom, to increase in me Faith, Hope and
Charity, that I may render, day by day, my debt of humble homage to
you. May your Scapular keep your eyes of mercy towards me and bring
your special protection in the daily struggle to be faithful to your
Divine Son and to you. May it separate me from all that is sinful in
life and remind me constantly of my duty to behold you and clothe myself
with your virtues. From henceforth I shall strive to live in the sweet
companionship of your spirit, to offer all to Jesus through you, and to
make my life the mirror of your humility, charity, patience, meekness
and prayerfulness. O dearest Mother, support me by your never failing
love that I, an unworthy sinner, may come one day to exchange your
Scapular for the wedding garment of heaven and dwell with you and the
Saints of Carmel in the kingdom of your Son. Amen.
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