16 July is the anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to the Carmelite friar St Simon Stock in 1251. The Virgin appeared to him holding the brown scapular. It is the privilege of all Carmelite friars and a fundamental instrument for the promotion of Carmelite spirituality. The celebration of the Mass took place in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, where the Grotto of St. Elias is located. Fr Jean-Joseph Bergara, OCD Rector of the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel The charism of the Carmelite Order is to pray and intercede for the whole world, especially for those who suffer for various reasons, we support and listen to them. The solemn Mass was presided by Franciscan Father Wojciech Poloz, Superior of the Basilica of the Annunciation. The Carmelite and Franciscan priests concelebrated, in the presence of a large crowd of pilgrims and faithful. Father Ibrahim Al-Sabbagh, Latin priest of Nazareth, said in his homily that just as the Lord was present for the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel, and in all his moments of weakness and strength, so the Lord was also present through our mother, the Virgin Mary, on this mountain, and is present with all the faithful of the Holy Land. And regarding the difficult circumstances that the Holy Land is going through, Father Al-Sabbagh said: Br IBRAHIM AL SABBAGH,ofm Latin priest of Nazareth The words that the Virgin Mary gives us today are the words of Jesus ‘Do not be afraid’. She addressed them to us in the Holy Land, as to all Christians in the East, inviting us always to be taken by the hand by her Son. The anchor of our salvation and our port, the guarantee of our existence. Fr Jean-Joseph Bergara, OCD Rector of the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel In Mary's Heart we can find hope and faith. In the midst of this war, this can make us stronger. Wearing the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel symbolises the believer's request for the Virgin Mary's protection and her abundant blessings. Nadia Dakwar From the village of Tarshiha I wear the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, because Our Lady has promised that whoever wears this scapular will be protected wherever they are and will be protected from hell when they die. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the pride of the people of Carmel. Shaden Badaan Haifa We, the children of Carmel, of Haifa, are proud and honoured that the Virgin Mary bears the title of Lady of Mount Carmel. Our Lady of Mount Carmel not only promoted and supported the Carmelite Order, but also opened the door to holiness for the Carmelite Order. Br IBRAHIM AL SABBAGH,ofm Latin priest of Nazareth We pray with all our hearts that God will not interrupt the chain of Carmelite saints. For there are great names in history that have lit up the sky of the Church and the world. We ask God to nourish the stream of Carmelite saints, to glorify God on this beautiful path, and that our country may also offer many other saints. Read More