Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is an ancient devotion, very necessary in our times when there is great conflict and persecution in the Middle East. When the dogma of faith is challenged and compromised throughout Christendom. When paganism has once again attracted and made captive mainstream society. When idolatry has replaced true worship of God the Father in spirit and truth.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is the Good Shepherdess, the luminous cloud, rising from the sea, leading the exodus from idolatry and selfish sensuality.
Besides the prayers of preparation for Our Lady's feast, one might consider being clothed in the Scapular of Mt. Carmel, if you haven't been already; as both a sign of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and as an external sign of her maternal protection.
Prayer
Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel,
fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven.
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity,
Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my Mother.
Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God Queen of Heaven and Earth,
I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart
to succor me in my necessity.
There are none that can withstand your power.
Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. Amen.
Terry, are you sure it begins today? If you have the novena end on the feast day itself, the novena begins tomorrow. I'm not great at math, so I counted the days on my fingers.
ReplyDeleteIt just depends on when you want it to end. I'm accustomed to ending the novena on the vigil of the solemnity - where it is observed as a solemnity, in Carmel.
DeleteEither way is good.
The novena for Christmas begins on Dec. 16 and concludes on the vigil.
DOH, what I get for not checking yesterday! Maybe I'll start a day late.
ReplyDelete