July 16: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel / Nuestra Señora de Monte Carmel

The Blessed Mother’s title “Our Lady of Mount Carmel” first derives from the experience of the prophet Elijah who, on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, challenged the worshipers of false gods to a contest (see 1 Kings, chapter 18). They were to call on their gods and Elijah would call on his God, and whichever God was able to light the fire to begin the holocaust was proved true. Elijah taunted his competitors, but of course their gods could not deliver. After drenching his own wood and holocaust with 12 buckets of water, Elijah called on the Lord who, at once, answered with fire. The God of Elijah was victorious. 

Ever since the time of Elijah, the mountain at Carmel has been considered sacred and hermits have always occupied a spot on the mountain where they have been devoted to a life of austerity and prayer.

When the Carmelite Order was established, the priests adopted Our Lady of Mount Carmel to represent their spirituality – both Marian and deeply contemplative.

For more, from Saint of the Day: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-mount-carmel/

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La Biblia canta las glorias del Monte Carmelo, ya que el profeta Elías había permanecido allí para conservar y promover la pureza de la fe de Israel (Primer Libro de los Reyes, cap. 18). En el siglo XII, un grupo de eremitas se retiró a esta montaña y posteriormente fundaron la Orden de los Carmelitas, que se dedicaría a la vida contemplativa bajo el patronazgo de María, Madre de Dios. 

Oremos. “Señor Dios nuestro, haz que sepamos, como María, rumiar y meditar en nuestro corazón la Palabra que Jesús nos ha proclamado. Que su mensaje guíe nuestras vidas e ilumine todo lo que hagamos. Y que tu gracia abundante nos dé la voluntad y el valor para hacer del Evangelio el fundamento de nuestras vidas. Te lo pedimos por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.”