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Our Lady of Mount Carmel
 On
the 16th of July, in the ports and fishing villages of
Spain, seafarers and fishers celebrate the feast of their
patroness: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, known locally as
Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
According to tradition, devotion to Our Lady of Mount
Carmel has its origin in a vision experienced by the prophet
Elijah (1 Kings 18, 44)From the top of Mount Carmel, Elijah
saw a white cloud rise from the sea. This cloud subsequently
became a symbol of Mary and is one of the sources of the
title “Star of the Sea”.
From the very beginning of Christianity, a group of monks
lived on Mount Carmel. In time, this group would develop
into the Order of Carmelites. Centuries later, one of their
superiors, Simon Stock, established their devotion to Our
Lady Star of the Sea.
On 16 July 1251, while in England, Simon Stock
experienced a vision of Our Lady. She gave him a scapular
promising that anyone who died wearing it would be saved
from Hell. A scapular is a garment worn by monks and nuns to
protect the front and back of their habits. These days it
can also mean a holy medal.
There is a long history of devotion to Our Lady of Mount
Carmel among Spanish seafarers. An 18th century Spanish
Admiral observed
Stars guide seafarers at sea and Our Lady guides us in
our lives
On 19 April 1901, Maria Cristina, Queen Regent of Spain,
officially proclaimed Our Lady of Mount Carmel as patron of
Spanish seafarers.
Photograph: Our Lady of Mount Carmel is carried
through the Port of Barcelona, July 2006 |
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They cried to the Lord in their distress: from their
straights He rescued them. He hushed the storm to a gentle
breeze and the billows of the sea were stilled.
They rejoiced that they were calmed, and He brought them
to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for
His kindness.
From Psalm 107, 28-31 |
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