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July 16 Solemn Commemoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Solemnity Mt. Carmel is commemorated in Sacred Scripture for its beauty, and it was there that the prophet Elijah defended the purity of Israel's faith in the living God. Towards the end of the twelfth century A.D. near a spring called after Elijah, a group of hermits established themselves on Mt. Carmel and built an oratory in honor of Our Lady, whom they chose as their titular and patroness. They became known as 'the Brothers of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel'. They regarded the Bl. Virgin Mary as their mother and model first of all in leading the contemplative life, and later in sharing the fruits of their contemplation with others. The Solemn Commemoration of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was first celebrated in the fourteenth century, but gradually adopted throughout the Order as an occasion of thanksgiving for the countless blessings which Our Lady had bestowed on the Carmelite family, the Scapular being a symbol of this and of consecration to her. Evening Prayer I Hymn Flower of Carmel, Tall vine blossom laden; Splendor of heaven, Child-bearing yet maiden. None equals thee. Mother so tender, Who no man didst know, On Carmel's children Thy favors bestow. Star of the Sea. Strong stem of Jesse, Who bore one bright flower, Be ever near us And guard us each hour, who serve thee here. Purest of lilies, That flowers among thorns, Bring help to the true heart That in weakness turns and trusts in thee. Strongest of armor, We trust in thy might: Under thy mantle, Hard press'd in the fight, we call to thee. Our way uncertain, Surrounded by foes, Unfailing counsel You give to those who turn to thee. O gentle Mother Who in Carmel reigns, Share with your servants That gladness you gained and now enjoy. Hail, Gate of Heaven, With glory now crowned, Bring us to safety Where thy Son is found, true joy to see. Psalmody Ant. 1 OCD: The glory of Lebanon is given to her, the beauty of Carmel and Sharon. Psalm 112 Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and for evermore! >From the rising of the sun to its setting praised be the name of the Lord! High above all nations is the Lord, above the heavens his glory. Who is like the Lord, our God, who has risen on high to his throne yet stoops from the heights to look down, to look down upon heaven and earth? >From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from his misery he raises the poor to set him in the company of princes, yes, with the princes of his people. To the childless wife he gives a home and gladdens her heart with children. Ant. The glory of Lebanon is given to her, the beauty of Carmel and Sharon. Ant. 2 You are the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel, the highest honor of our race. Psalm 147 O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Sion, praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates, he has blessed the children within you. He has established peace on your borders, he feeds you with finest wheat. He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command. He showers down snow white as wool, he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. The waters are frozen at his touch; he sends forth his word and it melts them: at the breath of his mouth the waters flow. He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees. He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees. Ant. You are the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel, the highest honor of our race. Ant. 3 You will rejoice in your children, for they will be blessed through you and gathered together by the Lord. Canticle: Eph 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his Blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us. He has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ. His purpose he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him. things in heaven and things on earth. Ant. You will rejoice in your children, for they will be blessed through you and gathered together by the Lord. Reading Rev 11:19; 12:1 God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Responsory R/. How fair you are, * O Virgin Mary. Repeat R/. V/. Your face is resplendent with grace, * O Virgin Mary. Glory ... R/. Canticle of Mary Bounteous Mother of God, glory of Mount Carmel, we are your children and your people, endow us with your own virtues; have pity, and protect us from every danger. Intercessions Let us praise our heavenly Father, who gives us the joy of celebrating this solemn feast of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, as we pray: R/. May Mary, Mother and Beauty of Carmel, intercede for us. Lord, in your plan the Daughter of Sion was foreshadowed by the prophets and made the heir of all your promises; - by imitating Mary, who is the image of the Church, may your Church on earth be more and more the sacrament of the world's salvation. R/. You have honored the family of Carmel with the title and patronage of the Virgin Mary; - may all Carmelites live with her in unswerving allegiance to Jesus Christ. R/. You have entrusted the whole of mankind, the brothers and sisters of your Son, to the care of Mary's maternal heart; - may the world see her image in us as we strive to live in your presence and to give ourselves for the salvation of all. R/. You call the humble family of Carmel, living in the cloister and in the world, to be especially dedicated to the Virgin Mary; - may all who are called to Carmel be of one mind and one heart as they join together in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. R/. You promise a crown of glory to those who persevere in your love till the end; - may our departed brothers and sisters, who shared Mary's love for you, rejoice with you forever in heaven. R/. Our Father ... Prayer Lord God, You willed that the Order of Carmel should be named in honor of the Bl. Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son. Through her prayers, as we honor her today, bring us to Your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Office of Readings Invitatory OCD: Come, ring out our joy to the Lord, as we thank him for the favors we have received through Mary, the Virgin Mother of Carmel. Hymn Psalmody Ant. 1 Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord, and who shall stand in his holy place? The one with clean hands and pure heart. Psalm 23 The Lord's is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set in on the seas; on the waters he made it firm. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things, who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory. Ant. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord, and who shall stand in his holy place? The one with clean hands and pure heart. Ant. 2 I will lead them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Psalm 45 God is for us a refuge and strength a helper close at hand, in time of distress: so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea, even though its waters rage and foam, even though the mountains be shaken by its waves. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. The waters of a river give joy to God's city, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day. Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken: he lifts his voice, the earth shrinks away. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, consider the works of the Lord the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth. He puts an end to wars over all the earth; the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps. He burns the shields with fire. "Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth!" The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Ant. I will lead them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Ant. 3 OCD: Glorious things are told of you, O city of God; the Lord founded you on his holy mountain! Psalm 86 On the holy mountain is his city cherished by the Lord. The Lord prefers the gates of Sion to all Jacob's dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God. Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me; Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, these will be her children and Sion shall be called "Mother" for all shall be her children. It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place. In his register of peoples he writes: 'These are her children' and while they dance they will sing: 'In you all find their home.' Ant. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God; the Lord founded you on his holy mountain! Responsory V/. I have brought you into the land of Carmel. R/. To enjoy the fruits and blessings of it. OCD First Reading 1 Kings 18:36-39, 41-15 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said "The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God." And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again seven times." And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising out of the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you." ' And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Responsory R/. You care for the earth, give it water; you fill it with riches; * you bless its growth. V/. The pastures of the wilderness flow with abundance, and the hills are girded with joy; * you bless its growth. R/. You care for the earth, give it water; You fill it with rich's; *You bless its growth. V/. The pastures of the wilderness flow with abundance, and the hills are girded with joy; *You bless its growth. OCD Second Reading (Alternative 2) >From the Allocutions of Pope Paul VI We can readily see that the Blessed Virgin Mary was endowed in high measure with a remarkable interior enlightenment, such as might have been anticipated in view of her sinlessness and the nature of her task in the world. The Gospels make abundantly clear that her soul was gifted with an extraordinary insight into the ways of God and a prophetic intuition. Yet above all else it was faith that most characterized the Mother of God--the kind of faith that does not need proof, but accepts a thing as true because God has spoken. The Second Vatican Council declares that "the Blessed Virgin went forward in her pilgrimage of faith," and the Gospel records how generous and meritorious that pilgrimage was when it cites Elizabeth's high tribute, which tells us so much about Mary's psychology and holiness: "Blessed are you, for you have believed." We find confirmation of this faith, Our Lady's foremost virtue, wherever the gospel tells of what she was, or what she said or what she did. Faced with the attitudes that characterize the incomparable figure of Mary in relation to the mystery of Christ realized in herself, we feel compelled to follow her example, and discover patterns for those who have, in conformity with God's plan for our salvation chosen the religious life. She teaches us how to listen, how to explore, to accept, to make sacrifices; she teaches us how to meditate, to wait, to examine; she teaches us self-possession, and calm, absolute assurance in judgement and action; she teaches us, in short, the fullness of prayer and communion with God. And all these things, though we see them in Mary uniquely realized by that one soul which was full of grace and completely under the sway of the Holy Spirit, are yet all forms of faith, and therefore close to us and available not only for our admiration but for our imitation. You have chosen the narrow, austere, arduous way of the ascetic life. You are in such a way committed to the pursuit of the supreme art of prayer and an intense spiritual life that you are branded as true searchers after the only fullness, the only peace, the only love: the union of the soul with God. May the most holy Virgin Mary confirm you in your Carmelite vocation. May she safeguard your love for the things of the spirit. May she obtain for you the graces you need in your holy, laborious ascent towards the knowledge of the divine realm and the ineffable experiences of its dark nights and light-filled days. May she give you the desire for sanctity, the desire to bear eschatological witness to the kingdom of heaven. May she make you models for all the members of God's Church, and bind you to them in brotherhood. And may she one day lead you into that possession of Christ and His glory which, even now, is the goal towards which your whole life is directed. Responsory R/. In faith receive the word of God which is able to save your souls. *Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. V/. Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. *Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. Te Deum Prayer Morning Prayer Hymn Psalmody Ant. 1 Fragrant is the scent of your perfume, Immaculate Virgin. Let us follow in your footsteps. Psalms of Sunday I Ant. 2 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; you are the most blessed of all women. Ant. 3 Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary: you gave birth to him who made you, yet remain a virgin forever. Reading Is 35:1-2 Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Responsory OCD: R/. Under your protection we take refuge, * Mother of God most holy. Repeat R/. V/. Do not turn away from the prayers that spring from our need, * Mother of God most holy. Glory. R/. Canticle of Zechariah Jesus said to His Mother, "Woman, this is your son," and to the disciple He said, "This is your Mother;" and from that hour the disciple took her as his own. Intercessions Christ our Savior, the first-born of many brothers, gave us his Mother as our own. On this sacred day let us come to him with thankful hearts and say: R/. For the gift of your Mother, we give glory to you, Lord. Christ our Redeemer, you prepared a worthy dwelling place for yourself in the sinless Virgin Mary; - may we work today in your service and hers, poor in spirit and pure in heart. R/. Only Word of the Father, uttered in eternal silence and lovingly received in the womb of the Virgin, - may our Carmelite vocation lead us, like Mary, to hear the Word of God and put it into practice. R/. Christ our Teacher, you offer the Virgin Mary as the model of every virtue to those who seek you; - may we, her children, mirror her life, especially in our charity towards all. R/. Jesus, Son of Mary, you gave your Mother to the apostle John to take into his own keeping; - in our familiarity with Mary may we experience your ineffable love. R/. Christ, Spouse of the Church, you sent the fire of the Holy Spirit upon Mary when she was joined with the apostles in prayer; -may the whole family of Carmel remain faithful in prayer with Mary, and so be continually renewed by the Holy Spirit. R/. Our Father . Prayer Lord God, You willed that the Order of Carmel should be named in honor of the Bl. Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son. Through her prayers, as we honor her today, bring us to Your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Evening Prayer II Hymn Psalmody Ant. 1 Behold the handmaid of the Lord: let it be done to me according to your word. Psalm 121 I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house." And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel's law it is, there to praise the Lord's name. There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: "Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!" For love of my brethren and friends I say: "Peace upon you!" For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. Ant. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: let it be done to me according to your word. Ant. 2 Mary heard the Word of God and kept it, treasuring it in her heart. Psalm 126 If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat: when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb. Indeed the sons of youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. O the happiness of the man who has filled his quiver with these arrows! He will have no cause for shame when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. Ant. Mary heard the Word of God and kept it, treasuring it in her heart. Ant. 3 The apostles persevered in prayer together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Canticle: Eph 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us. He has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ. His purpose he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ant. The apostles persevered in prayer together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Reading OCD: Gal 4:4-6 When the designated time had come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons. The proof that you are sons is the fact that God has sent forth into our hearts the spirit of his Son, which cries out "Abba, Father!" Responsory R/. I exult for joy in the Lord, * my soul rejoices in God. Repeat R/. V/. For he has clothed me in the garments of salvation; he has wrapped me in the cloak of justice. * My soul rejoices in God. Glory ... R/. Canticle of Mary Mary, ever Virgin, has been given us as our Mother; she has taken pity on us; today we remember. Today all Carmel sings for joy as we keep a solemn festival in her honor whose name we bear. Intercessions As we honor the holy Mother of God, under whose name and patronage we live, let us pray with confidence to Christ our Lord and say: R/. Through the intercession of the Mother of Carmel, hear us, O Lord. You said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;" - may we stand with Mary among the poor and humble of the Lord, so that you may be our only wealth. R/. You said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God;" - in following the Immaculate Virgin may we come to love that purity of heart which makes us eager to see the Father's face. R/. You said, "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe;" - with Mary at our side, may we never cease to trust in the love you have for us as we journey in this night of faith. R/. You said, "You ought to pray always and never lose heart;" - teach us to pray like Mary, treasuring your word in our hearts and proclaiming it in our lives. R/. You said, "A new commandment I give you: love one another as I d you;" - united in heart and mind, may we be ready to spend our lives for our brothers and sisters and share with Mary in your work of redemption. R/. Dying on the cross, you said to John, and through him to all disciples, "Behold your Mother;" - may we always please you by living in the intimate company of the Mother of Grace. R/. You said, "I want those you have given me to be with me where I am:" - may all those who trusted in your everlasting mercy rejoice one day with you and Mary in our Father's house. R/. Our Father ... Prayer Lord God, You willed that the Order of Carmel should be named in honor of the Bl. Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son. Through her prayers, as we honor her today, bring us to Your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ************* for Mass Entrance Antiphon The glory of Lebanon was given to her, the beauty of Carmel, and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the splendor of our God. Prayer (see above) Prayer over the Gifts Lord, we reverently offer You these gifts as we recall the patronage of the Bl. Virgin Mary. In Your service may our love become like hers and so unite us more closely with the work of redemption. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Communion Antiphon Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. Prayer after Communion Lord God, we have been nourished by the Body and Blood of Your Son. May the wonders of Your love strengthen us and help us to follow more faithfully the example of the Bl. Virgin Mary to whose service we are dedicated. We ask this through Christ our Lord. First Reading 1Kings 18: 42-45 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Eli'jah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again seven times." And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising out of the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, `Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'" And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Responsorial Psalm R/. Draw us after you, Virgin Mary; we shall follow in your footsteps. Lord, who shall be admitted to Your tent and swell on Your holy mountain? R/. He who walks without fault; he who acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue; he who does no wrong to his brother, who casts no slur on his neighbour. R/. who holds the godless in disdain, but honours those who fear the Lord. R/. Second Reading Galatians 4: 4-7 But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Gospel John 19: 25-27 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.
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