The liturgical celebration of “Our Lady of Mount Carmel” was extended to the Latin Church in 1726, and is in the calendar as an Optional Memorial. It commemorates the cult of Mary at Mount Carmel, the Marian spirituality of the Carmelite Order, and the gift of Scapular.This is the patronal feast of the Carmelites. The Order of Carmelites takes its name from Mount Carmel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and where a chapel was erected in her honor before her Assumption into heaven.
July 16 is also the feast of the “Scapular of Mount Carmel”. On that day in 1251, pious tradition says, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England, showed him the Scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all persons who would wear he Scapular.
To obtain the indulgences and other benefits promised to those who wear the Carmelite Scapular, a person must be invested by a priest who has the requisite faculties and must lead a consistent Christian life.
PRAYER: Lord, let the motherly prayer of the glorious Virgin Mary come to our help. Through her support help us to reach the true Mount, which is Christ. Amen.