TODAY'S SAINT (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

JULY 16

This is the patronal feast of the Carmelites. The Order of Carmelites takes its mame from Mount Carmel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and where a chapel was erected in her honor before her Assumpion into heaven.

July 16 is also the feast of the "Scapular of Mount Carmel." On that day in 1251, pious tradition says, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England, showed him the scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all persons who would wear her scapular.

To ovtain the indulgences and other bvenefits promised to those who wear the Carmelite scapular, a perrson must be invested by a priest who has the requisite faculties aand must lead a consistent Christian life.

PRAY

Lord, let the motherly prayer of the glorious

Virgin Mary come to our help. Through her

support help us to reach the true mount which

is Christ. Amen.