The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Set on July 16

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel which is being celebrated on July 16 every year is a significant event among many Catholics. In the Philippines, devotees troop to Carmelite churches and show their devotion by wearing or being invested with the Brown Scapular. The investiture is done by priests who place it over the heads of devotees.

Wearing the scapular is a sign of special devotion to Mary and represents a special Consecration to Our Lady.  The feast commemorates Mary’s promise to St. Simon Stock given on July 16, 1251 that “”Whosoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”In a well-known account, St. Simon was deep in prayer in the Convent of the White Friars in Cambridge when Our Lady appeared before him and presented him with the brown scapular. It is described as “a loose sleeveless garment destined for the Order of Carmel, reaching from the shoulders to the knees.” The scapular was given as an assurance of salvation.  Centuries later, in an apparition to St. Dominic, Our Lady told him that “One day, through the Rosary and Scapular I will save the world.”

Aside from reciting five decades of the Rosary, those wearing the Brown Scapular are also encouraged to say the following Morning Prayer to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel:“O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss the Brown Scapular), I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, joining with it my every thought, word and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them to the interests of Thy Most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Amen.

Wearing the scapular is an expression of love, trust and veneration to Our Lady who have said: “Wear it devoutly and perseveringly. It is my garment.  To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life.”

Devotion to Mary, however, should not be limited to just the wearing of the scapular and the recitation of the rosary, according to the Church. “True devotion to Mary consists of leading holy lives in conformity with her virtues of humility, gentleness, love, penance and prayer. “

On July 16, the Solemn Feast Day will be celebrated with whole day masses and a procession at the Carmel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery in Lanang, Davao City. The following is the schedule of masses:  5:00 am – Most Rev. George Rimando, D.D. (Auxiliary Bishop of Davao); 7:00 am – Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. (Archbishop of Davao); 10:00 am – Most Rev. Fernando Capalla, D.D. (Archbishop Emeritus);  12:00 Noon – Most Rev. Guillermo Afable, D.D. (Bishop of Digos); 4:00 pm – Rev. Fr. Alex Collera, OCD; 6:00 pm – Rev. Msgr. Abel Apigo.  The Procession and Solemn Salve will begin at 3:00 pm. For more inquiries, call Tel. 2276698, Carmelite Monastery.

By: Caesar Ledesma/ Contributor