Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother

and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,

and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,

he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”

Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

John 19, 25-27

Gospel reading on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel,

crouched down to the earth,

and put his head between his knees.

“Climb up and look out to sea,” he directed his servant,

who went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.”

Seven times he said, “Go, look again!”

And the seventh time the youth reported,

“There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

Elijah said, “Go and say to Ahab,

‘Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.’”

In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind,

and a heavy rain fell.         (1Kings, 18, 42b-45a)

‘Draw us after you, Virgin Mary; we shall follow in your footsteps.’

Brothers and Sisters:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

As proof that you are sons, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts,

crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son,

and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Galatian 4, 4-7

O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us.