What happened on Mount Carmel?

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16

In the Old Testament, Elijah had a vision of a cloud over Mount Carmel that brings rain that ended a great drought.  This story prefigures Mary bringing forth Jesus to end the great drought of sin.

Some Crusaders from Europe who were disillusioned with the wars and violence decided to stay in the Holy Land and live on Mount Carmel, the “garden of God,” the mountain of Elijah, and to seek intimacy with God.   They settled in the wadi-ein-Siah, a dry river bed at the base of the mountain.  They lived as hermits in caves but eventually came together as a community.  In the 1180s, they built a chapel and named it after “Our Lady of the Mountain.”   Nazareth is just across the valley from Mount Carmel. 

As Islam reconquered the Holy Land, the Carmelites migrated to Europe.  They continued to ask “The Lady of the Mountain” to help them live in God’s presence.  Carmelites are officially called the “Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.”

On July 16, 1251, St. Simon Stock had a vision of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who told him that if the Carmelites wore their apron or habit in faith, that she would take care of them.  The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.  The Carmelites survived and the tradition of the Brown Scapular of Our lady of Mount Carmel developed and continues to invite people to live under Mary’s mantle.