Our Lady of Mount Carmel



Elijah’s Grotto, Stella Maris Monastery, Haifa, Israel



The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.

They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Isaiah 35:  1-2

…My thoughts turn today to Mount Carmel, praised in the Bible for its beauty. We are, in fact, celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On that mountain, located in Israel near Haifa, the holy prophet Elijah strenuously defended the integrity and purity of the chosen people's faith in the living God. On that same mountain some hermits gathered in the 12th century after Christ and dedicated themselves to contemplation and penance. The Carmelite Order arose from their spiritual experience. 

Walking with the Blessed Virgin, the model of complete fidelity to the Lord, we will fear no obstacles or difficulties. Supported by her motherly intercession, like Elijah we will be able to fulfill our vocation as authentic "prophets" of the Gospel in our time….

May Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whom we call upon today with special devotion, help us tirelessly climb towards the summit of the mountain of holiness; may she help us love nothing more than Christ, who reveals to the world the mystery of divine love and true human dignity. 

His Holiness Pope John Paul II

Angelus, 16 July 2000

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/angelus/2000/documents/hf_jp-ii_ang_20000716_en.html

Port of Haifa seen from Mount Carmel

The city of Haifa is a busy seaport, accented by lush gardens, built on the slopes of Mount Carmel.  Elijah’s Grotto, venerated by Christian, Jewish, and Muslim pilgrims, is inside the Stella Maris – Star of the Sea – Carmelite Monastery perched on the mountaintop overlooking the bay.  It is an awesome place of pilgrimage, on clear as well as stormy days, as one turns away from the breath-taking view, enters the dimly-lit church and is embraced by the quiet.

We are inspired by Mary, under her title of “Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” as our model of prayer and contemplation.  She offers us her help and companionship so that we may draw ever closer to her Son, our Lord Jesus.  Our Blessed Mother Mary shows us the way of beauty, the way of perfection:  the way to ascend the holy mountain where we, too, can meet God.  May Our Lady of Mount Carmel help us to find God in the silence of prayer.

Please visit The Apostolic Lady’s “Recommended Reading” page for books on the contemplative spirituality of Carmelite saints including Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

WUCWO Study Group Members Praying at the Altar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Stella Maris Monastery, Haifa, Israel, 2005

Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O, Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein, you are my Mother. Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who turn to you.

Holy Spirit, You who solve all problems, light all roads so I can attain my goal. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and who are with me in all instances in my life, thank you for all things, as You confirm once again that I never want to be separated from You in eternal glory.

From The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq/yq21.html