They chose a Marian feast for their patron feast - A Moment with Mary

* July 16 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel  * They chose a Marian feast for their patron feast  --- An initiative of the Association Mary of Nazareth July 16 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel They chose a Marian feast for their patron feast The Carmelites, originally called the Hermits of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel (the first order to bear the name of Mary in formal papal bulls) did not separate the Lord's service from that of the Virgin Mary, his Mother. In Mary, the Carmelites saw their sister because of her virginity, and the mother who had given life to their Order. They professed devotion to Mary, imitation of Mary and total consecration to Mary. The Carmelites solemnly celebrated Mass in commemoration of the Virgin Mary every non-commemorative Saturday and, like the Cistercians, they also celebrated Mass daily in honor of Our Lady. The Carmelites did not imagine having another feast day than a feast of the Virgin and, as Mount Carmel is quite close to Nazareth, they seem to have first chosen the Annunciation, and dedicated most of the monasteries they founded in Europe to the Our Lady of the Annunciation as well. At the end of the 14th century, the Carmelites instituted a feast (July 16th) to commemorate the favors they had received through the intercession of Our Lady. In 1726, Benedict XIII extended the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to the universal Church. missel.free.fr Let’s pray together Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen. . Share A Moment with Mary and give your loved ones the opportunity to discover a new aspect of the mystery of the Mother of God each day.