Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena
Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, an early Carmelite, and gave him a brown scapular, representing part of her own garment as a special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way.
Starts: July 7th
Feastday: July 16th
Feastday: July 16th
Introduction
Mount Carmel is where the prophet Elijah strived against 450 priests of Baal and was given victory by God over them. (1 Kings 18:19–40).
Hermits lived on Mount Carmel in northern Israel (near modern day Haifa) in the 12th century, where they dedicated a chapel to Our Lady. These became the first Carmelites. Eventually most fled, as Mount Carmel was taken by the Muslims in 1291, and the remaining brothers were killed and the convent burned. The Carmelites are unique in that they view themselves especially as “brothers of Our Lady,” emphasizing their spiritual fraternity with her.
Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, an early Carmelite, and gave him a brown scapular, representing part of her own garment as a special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance.
Intro Prayers (start each day with this prayer)
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin, splendid beauty of Carmel, you look with love on all who wear your blessed habit; look kindly on me and spread the mantle of your loving protection over all mankind.
By the power of your intercession strengthen my weakness, and by your wisdom light up the darkness of my mind.
Increase in me those virtues in which you excelled — faith, hope and love; adorn my soul with such graces and virtues that it may ever be pleasing to your divine Son.
Assist me in all the activities of life, and, by your presence console me at the time of my death.
In that hour present me to the Blessed Trinity as your child redeemed by the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
O Queen, who are the beauty of Carmel, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Daily Prayers
Day 1: 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! (Mention your request here)
Day 2 : 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 3: 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 4: 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 5: 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 6: 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 7: 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 8: You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires 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. (Mention your request here)
Day 9: 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!
(Mention your request here)
Concluding Prayer (to be said each day)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
