Our Lady of Mount Carmel

What we celebrate

July 16 is the memorial of Our LadyGlossaryOf or directed to the Blessed Virgin Mary—her feasts, antiphons, hymns, and the Church's filial devotion to the Mother of God. of Mount Carmel. The title binds Mary to the Carmelite family and to the brown scapularGlossaryA sacramental of two small cloth panels worn over the shoulders, signifying consecration and enrollment in a religious family or devotion. — a sacramentalGlossaryA sacred sign instituted by the Church—holy water, medals, scapulars, blessings—that disposes the soul for grace; not one of the seven Sacraments. of belonging, not a charm. The sequence Flos Carmeli is the day’s song: flower of Carmel, star of the sea.

How to keep the day

Pray or sing Flos Carmeli. If you wear the brown scapular, renew the intention with which you put it on. Read a page on Carmelite prayer without turning the day into aesthetic.

Gift guide

A brown scapular (enrolled, not costume), a print of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or support for learning the Latin sequence.