DEVOTIONS TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PETITION PRAYER (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) AND THANKSGIVINGS

2012-09-12T14:44:00.193+01:00

The prayer should be said devoutly for three consecutive days. After that, text of the efficacious Prayer together with your Thanksgiving needs to be published without waiting for the outcome - and your petition will be granted to you. To facilitate publishing - you may send thanksgiving text to me via e-mail (available in 'view my complete profile' section on the sidebar). I will post the text below the prayer asap, or alternatively you may publish both the prayer with your Thanksgivings in a public place such as a newspaper, bulletin, etc.

PETITION PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL)
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 (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say three times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Amen.

Thanksgivings:

Oh, Blessed Mother I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my miserable prayers, and I thank you for all the graces, blessings, favours, petitions granted and for your unceasing protection and intercession and all good things that happened to me and to my loved ones through your help, with love and devotion, JP (27.8.08).

Thank You, Mother Mary for answering my prayers. Connie (29.8.08).

Thank you, Mary, for your speedy and effective help. Tanja has been acting less vituperative, and I no longer feel hunted like an animal at work. Please continue to intercede. Kathryn (14.9.08)

Holy Mother,
Thank you for your kind intercession in quickly answering our prayers. Mike 9/19/08

thank you blessed mother...I'm so happy i could cry...you made the impossible happen...jane cicchitto

Mother Mary, thank you so much. I know through your intercession that our prayers will be answered immediately. Rachel

Holy Mother, Thank you so much for all your blessings and for helping us find and obtain a home for the "comings" and the "goings" so that we may serve the Lord. We love you, Cookie and Doug

Holy Mother, thank you once again for answering our prayers and helping us through a trying financial time. Mike 10/30/08

Holy Mother, thank you for helping me and answering my prayer. Mickey 10/28/08

Thanks for answering my prayer, I am forever grateful for so much blessings showered from you daily and from Jesus Christ. Love RH
4th November 08

Thank you, Mother Mary, for your kind intercession and quickly answering our prayers.
11/9/08

Thank you Holy Mother for your help and the conversion of my children. L.A.P
23rd November 2008

Most Holy Virgin, Flower and Beauty of Carmel I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my prayer and obtaining all the graces I need. Jay
7th Dec 2008

Hello Mother, Thank you for listening to me and helping me out. Thank You! .
20th Dec 2008

Petition: Mary, Lady of Mt. Carmel, I beg you from the bottom of my heart: help my in finding a good, loving and believing wife.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, oh Mary for your help and a gift of love which I was granted because of your intercession.
Tomasz from: Racibórz Poland
22 of December 2008

Thank you so much Blessed Mother for your powerful intercession for Our Family. I especially Thank you for answer to pray between Santino and TJ and between all the children for loving each other and for the arguments to stop. i Love You Blessed Mother - Grace
January 8th, 2009

Mother Mary,thank you very much,I know that through your intercessions my prayers would be answered immediately.I love you,very much.
Anneka
January 10th, 2009

Oh most beautiful flower of Mount 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, herein you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity (make request). There is nothing that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee(3 times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (3 times).
Say this prayer 3 consecutive days, Publish it and your petitions will be granted to you. This novena never known to fail.

I believe in this. I am publishing this novena as promised and I know all will be granted. FM
February 3rd 2009

Thank you Our Lady for all your help. I would not have been able to fill my great need without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Bill in Ireland.
2nd March 2009

Thanks You My Mother of Mount Carmel, for answering my prayers and for showering all your blessing on me. I love you my Mama Mary.
Audrey Pinto
18th of March 2009

Most Gracious Mother, Mary, Queen of Heaven, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help with my prayers. Laura Portland, OR, March 2009

Thank you Blessed Mother, Star of the Sea for your help in the past for others, and for helping me with my most shallow request. Tanya 8th April, 2009

Dear Mary, thank you for listening, caring, and answering my prayer, Amen.
Mary Noel
2nd of May 2009

Petition: Blessed Mother, please restore health to my mother, assist me to find the stability and happiness that I am seeking and bring my friends to a knowledge and love of your Son Jesus.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Holy Mary for your powerful intercession and blessings on me, my family and friends. I am deeply grateful for your loving care and the continuing graces in my life.
DJM
5/05/2009

Thank you, Blessed Mother, for the healing I have received
Eileen
20/05/09

I have been praying for a transfer of job for a couple of years now, but when i stumbled on this prayer and prayed it for just three days i miraculously got the transfer at the end of the third day of prayer!!!

Thank you dearest Lady of Mount Carmel you have indeed shown yourself to be a Mother to me!
Your loving Catholic son, Dominic
24/06/09

Our Lady, thank you for every grace you have obtained for me from your Divine Son. I am so grateful to you and I love you so very, very much. Thank you for hearing my prayers and interceding for me. I love you.
CJL
1/7/09

Thanksgivings:
Oh, Blessed Mother, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my miserable prayers, and I thank you for all graces, blessings, favors, petitions granted and for your unceasing protection and intercession and all good things that happened to me and to my loved ones through your help with love and devotion. CM
5/7/09

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Son of God. Thank you for all of your love and devotion. Thank you for listening to my prayers. Thank you for your grace and love. Thank you for your intercession in my time of trouble. I am at peace knowing that your love is overwhelming me and that I am not alone. Thank you for helping and leading me closer to your Son, Jesus Christ and our Father God. Thank you for giving me your guidance and favor. I pray in Jesus name that my prayers will be answered. With all my love and devotion:
Louis Mercado 07/19/2009

Holy Mary, Thank you for all the good benefits I have received from you. Thank you for hearing my prays. I know my prays will answered, because nothing is impossible when you are involved.
Your faithful servant, Maria G. 07/19/09

Thank you, My Blessed Mother, for answering my prayers, JEP, 27.08.09

Oh Most Gracious and loving mother. I wish to thank thee for answering my prayers. My family and I are in dire need and your motherly help is greatly appreciated. Please help me to do God's will with your prayers and graces. Janet 09-19-2009

Thank you so much Mother Mary for your intercession and I believed that by the power of your prayer to our Lord God, my request will be granted. Benedict F. 09-30-2009

My dearest Mother I humbly thank you for listening to my pleas. My family is in dire financial need and I believe you shall answer my prayers. Jesus gave you to us as our Mother and as such I know you will help me in the way Our Lord wills for your wills are as one. My heart and soul again thank thee. May the world come to know and love you as God intended.
Elizabeth 10-3-2009

Thank you Mother for helping me and listening to my prayers. i will always pray to you and i will share this to everybody i know... thank you so much for being our Mother. thank you for guiding us and helping us and being with us, in our deepest darkest moment in our lives.
your faithful servant,
maloy conanan
10/19/2009

Thank you O Most Holy Virgin Mary, for interceding for me. Thank you for your son Jesus. Thank your for always being there for me, through ups and downs. I know I’m going through what I’m experiencing now for a reason. With you by my side, nothing is impossible. Thank you for helping me become closer to You, your Son, and God. I will always and forever be thankful to you for granting my prayers, but most especially thankful for all the blessings that you so generously shower upon me. I believe in you. I trust in you. I love you. - MCSA
19/11/09

Thanks you dearest Mother. Thank you for your love and peace. Thanks you for saving my job and helping me with Simon's schooling. Thank you for healing my heart. Thank you for helping all of my family (2 other sons) reunite with us and making our home with you in your graces bright.
Carolyn English

Dearest Mother, Thank you for answering all of prayers. Thanks you for praying for me. Thank you for mothering me.
Carolyn English -11-30-2009

Dear Holy Mother,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your speedy intercession in this desperate and impossible case. Thank you for hearing my prayer.
Teresa (December 2nd, 2009)

Dear Blessed Mother Mary, Thank you always for being the loving Mother that you are, and for never forgetting about your children on Earth. Thank you for your prayers. Love, a.
(December 7th, 2009)

My beloved Mother and Queen, I thank you for listening to my prayers and all the graces received through your intercession. J
Dec 17th '09

Oh Blessed Mother, thank you so much for listening to my petition prayer, Jolanta
Dec 24th '09

Holy Mother, thank you for helping my daughter. I will always be grateful. FMcC
Dec 28th '09

In hope of prayers answered. Pray for me Holy Mary. SM
January 14th, 2010

Thank you, Most Blessed Virgin Mary for answering my prayers, Love, JEP
January 18th, 2010

Thank you Our Lady of Carmel for lovingly answering my prayers in what has been a difficult time. Your help exceeded anything that I could have imagined, David.
January 27th, 2010

Thank you Mama Mary for answering our prayers! - Teresa
February, 11th 2010

Many thanks for introducing this wonderful prayer to me the spirit of OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL and her grace and favours have convinced me of the power of devotion to her and the the everlasting love shown by her son Jesus Christ.

Peter
February, 11th 2010

Thank you Our Lady so much for all you've done for me in the past and the doors you'll open for me in my career and personal life in the future.

Love,
Karen
February, 13th 2010

Thank you, Blessed Mother, for all the care bestowed on me and my family in the past and in the future. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, thank you. Steven K.
02/16/10

Thank you beautiful Mother of mine, thank you for showing me what I should be praying for. Not just veneration for me and my child, but the hearts of the wicked and ignorant people who live without the sweetness of you and your son. Dear Mother pray for me and my son and all those that have hurt us, lied about us, and upset us in our new community.

Thank you for restoring peace through your grace and your son's mercy. Amen

Carolyn English
20th February, 2010

Although I consider myself unworthy of your intercession, O Holy Virgin Of Mt. Carmel, I thank Thee from the bottom of my heart for the blessings and answer of my petition I will receive. Tom T.
27th February, 2010

I have received this short testimony and a request to publish it from the reader and follower of one of my blogs:
I have always had a great devotion to our Holy Mother. I am in formation to become a Third Order Carmelite. The Holy Mother has answered two of my urgent requests and I will be grateful all my life for her help; not only for the prayer requests answered but also for the grace of vocation to become Third Order Carmelite. Tom Trotter III
5th of March, 2010

Oh, Holy virgin of Mount Carmel, dearest Blessed Mother I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my miserable prayers, and I thank you for all the graces, blessings, favours, petitions granted and for your unceasing protection and intercession and all good things that you have granted to me and to my loved ones through your powerful intercession,
with love and devotion,

iggy
9th March 2010

Thanksgiving from Paul
19th March 2910

Thank you, Mary, for answering my prayers, that any obstacles to my doing God's will be removed from my way.
Alex
Toronto, Canada
March 23, 2010

Many thanks to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for all she has done for and given to me may her name be praised eternally.
Paul
March 26th, 2010

Thank you, O Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel, for two requests granted
Testimony by Marg
March 30th 2010

Thank you, Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, for hearing my prayers. I am grateful for your intercession.
Patricia
March 30th 2010

I am eternally grateful to you for having heard my prayer to obtain employment to serve my family's needs and to do God's Holy Will.

Thank you, Rick
March 30th 2010

My lovely Mother, I humbly thank you for listening to my prayer although I am a sinner, but because of your mercy!

With your answer of this prayer, I can use my time and treasures to proclaim Gospel of Jesus to all people, Amen!

Thank you for your continuing praying for me until I can join you to praise Holy Trinity in heavenly home!

Frank, 03-31-2010

Most Holy Virgin, Mother of God and my Heavenly Mother, I give my heartfelt gratitude for all your help and support through life, and for favours received.

David
April 1st, 2010

I thank you in advance as I know you will look after me as you have done my mother.
Gillian. Ireland.
April 8th, 2010

Many thanks to my Mother in heaven for all she has blessed me with she truly is the Star of the Sea and the Mother of God.
Premierchefs
April 22nd, 2010

"Thank you Mother Mary for interceding on my behalf. It's been a long journey and I appreciate your help in ensuring that it ends well for me. Love SO"

Sean
April 24th, 2010

Thank you, most Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for listening to my prayer and for all graces received

Denise
April 29th, 2010

With love thanks and gratitude to Our Lady for answered prayers,

James L.
May 11th, 2010

Thank you most Blessed Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Josephine M
May 11th, 2010

Thank you, Our Lady, for helping the man outside the coffee shop. You never fail, and THIS was a tough one. Thank you

Tanya B
May 13th, 2010

Thanksgiving
Thank you Holy and Blessed Mother Mary for your loving intercession of my prayer for me and my sister Carolene to your Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ to the most Holy and undivided Triune GOD. I continue to trust that GOD always answer our prayers through the Holy Spirit. Wanda 5/16/2010

Holy Mother Star of the Sea, thank you AGAIN for helping my mother
and my family.
Tanya B
May 21st, 2010

Thanksgiving from Denise K
May 21st, 2010

Thank you my Lady, for helping my nephew on the border patrol.
Tanya B
May 22nd, 2010

Thank you, Mother Mary for granting my request and for always providing guidance and protection. I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

JF
May 25th, 2010

Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Star of the Sea, THANK YOU for all of your help and blessings.
Tanya
May 26th, 2010

Thank you Blessed Mother of Mount Carmel for help in having my request granted. And thank you for all of your assistance throughout the years for the favors I have received
James
May 26th, 2010

Holy Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin, please receive my humble thanks for Your help. MW
May 27th, 2010

My Dearest Mother Mary I wish to thank thee in advance for listening to my prayers. You are my guiding light and your help is need in our financial strive. But I ask you not only to allow us to obtain financial stability but also to use the gifts give to do our Lord's will. You you know His will can help my family not only in these dire times financially but also to guide us to do you Son's will. Always be our Mother and help the world accept His mercy in this special time. I love you and want all souls to love and do God's will here and in heaven. Help us please dearest Mother.
Janet
May 28th, 2010

Thank you, O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel, for helping me, JEP
June 2nd, 2010

Thanks you, My Mother and My Queen for helping me, Jolanta
June 6th, 2010

O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel, Thank you again for listening to my prayer, Jolanta
June 10th, 2010

Holy Mother, Star of the Sea, thank you for hearing my petition and, as always, for your swift intercession. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, please keep me under the protection of your mantle.

Mark
June 16th, 2010

Thank you Blessed Mother, for this impossible request. I hope you don't get tired
of me...mtb
June 24th, 2010

Our Lady of Mount Carmel thank you so much for answering my petition.
I have already seen how you have helped us and answered my prayer.
Nikki
June 28th, 2010

Thank you for helping me in the past securing a new job and helping me through dark times making our marriage stronger, and helping sort out financial issues. Please help me again as I have great faith in your powers. Please help me and my husband sort out present financial mess. I love you and wish your name be made known. AF
July 8th, 2010

I say thanks for prayers answered from the Novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Thank you for your intercession. RC
July 8th, 2010

I thank you, Holy Mother for listening and answering my prayer. Denise K
July 11th, 2010

Dear Holy Mother, thank you for always being there for me and my family. Thank you for listening to my plea for my son, Dan, who needs a job right now that will restore his self-esteem, bring good people into his life, and lead him on the path to his future. Thank you for taking him into your loving hands and asking your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for this help. It seems like an impossible task but with your help, I know anything is possible. You of all women know the pain of watching a son suffer. Thank you for your help with mine. Susan
14th July, 2010

MANY THANKS TO MY MOTHER MARY FOR GRANTING MY PETITIONS MAY HER NAME BE PRAISED IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. Peter
17th July 2010

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Thank you for all you have done for us in the past my faith in your miracles is strong because I know your powers having received your help. Please help us sell the site for a good sum to alleviate our financial pressures, help us to stay strong in our marriage and our faith, help us to have kindness patience and tolerance towards our children. May our first Son receive all the help he requires and may we give equal attention to our Second Son. Please bless this baby I am carrying and may it be a healthy happy child. Thank you for your miraculous intervention, may your name always be kept known and faith kept alive. AF
20th July 2010

Oh Holy Mother of God, Flower of Mount Carmel, please accept my seemingly infinite thanks for answering my prayers in my most very desperate time of need. Your help in this troublesome time will not go unrequited by me. I will strive every day to be son most worthy of your favors and help to my family, friends and myself. I will seek to emulate your son, and my king, Jesus each day to the best of my capabilities. Again, thank you from the very depths of my now very full and grateful heart. Brian
21st July 2010

Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, thank you sincerely for receiving and answering my petition.
Margaret 23rd July 2010.

Oh My Lady, thank you for the prayers answered about my daughter and her intended! I am heartily sorry for forgetting about the publishing! You NEVER FAIL! So many favors and requests you've helped me with, i can't convey how mortified i am that i failed to publish this sooner! Our lady of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, Splendor of heaven, thank you. Tanya
25th July 2010

Oh Mother Mary, Thank you again for helping my daughter.
mtb
27th July 2010

In thanksgiving to Our Lady for answered prayers,
Denise K,
31st July 2010

Thank Our Lady for the good news received recently regarding my father`s health.
Thank you for keeping both my parents healthy. Bill in Ireland.
1st August, 2010

Mary, Holy Mother of God and us all, thank you for always listening to my prayers and laying them at the feet of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for helping my son. I know this problem seems small compared to others but this has been heavy on mind and heart for many years now. I know with your help, all will be well and I place him in your hands. You have always been close in mind and heart; help me to imitate you and your Son and to live how Jesus wants us to. Thank you again.
Susan
13th of August, 2010

Holy Mother, thank you for always listening and receiving my prayers to place at the feet of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for any help with my son. I will continue to be your faithful daughter and try to live my life like you did yours, to try my best to be a good person in imitation of Jesus. Thank you, Blessed Mother.
Susan
13th of August, 2010

"I've asked you for what appears to me, to be the impossible. However, I believe you will answer my prayer in some form or another. Thank you in anticipation, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Peter."
19th of August, 2010

Thanksgiving and love to Our Lady from Lynn
26th of August, 2010

"Many thanks for the granting of my wishes you truly are my mother and the blessed mother of god may your name be praised in heaven and earth.
Peter"
30th of August, 2010

" Thank you Holy Mother for answering my prayers and petition's now and always. Thank you for your love and consonant protection, please pray for us and help is to live as your son our Lord wants us to and bless us in all our needs."
Nicole
30th of August, 2010

Thank you dear Mary for the many blessings and prayers granted. I am eternally grateful.
Natalie
1st of September, 2010

Holy Mother,
I pray for your divine help in this matter. Please heal the hearts and souls of all of those affected. Your presence brings me peace always.
Karen
2nd September, 2010

Our Lady of Mount Carmel I believe that you can make miracles happen, and my prayer request is going to require a miracle. I don't know how and when but I have faith that my prayer request is happening with you at the helm. Please Our Lady of Mount Carmel make haste and let me know you hear my petition.
Bluver
4th September, 2010

Je rends grâce à Notre Seigneur Jésus d'avoir accepter mes prieres et mes remerciements et mon amour à Notre Dame de Mont Carmel par son intercession auprès de son fils.Jesus,Marie,je vous aime ,sauvez les âmes.
Niry .
6th September, 2010

Dear Mary, I thank you from my heart for praying to Jesus for my Mom. My momloves you with all of her heart and is devoted to you. Mom has had a badsummer with health and I know that my prayer to you is in your hand for
my mom Patricia. Oh thank you Mary for always being here to listen
and pray for us. I am confident mom will be feeling better. Thank you
I love you Mary with all my heart.
Diane,
8th of September, 2010

"Thank you again for your help and guidance mother Mary, I love you from the bottom of my heart. Love, Sean"
13th September, 2010

Dear Mother Mary, thank you so much for echoing my weak prayers. Thank you for your love, your care, your example. Thank you for answering my petition. Thank your for drawing me and my fiance closer to Jesus. I love you, my mother. Sarah
2nd of October, 2010

Thank you Holy Mary for your powerful intercession in my hour of need also for the blessings on me and my family. Denise
5th of October, 2010

Dearest Mother, I humbly beseech thee to honor the request I have made to help my family in dire financial straits. Please always keep my family within thy bosom, and with thy love and interception I know my family will be in heaven's hands. Thank you for becoming my Mother and for all your graces. I know all will pass and therefore I leave my request in your hands which are always the same as God's will. May all be done. Janet
20st of October, 2010

Thanking Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in advance of favor received to trust in hope and faith that prayer will be answered. Gail
27th of October, 2010

Mother Mary, Blessed and Holy, you've watched from your throne in heaven all my efforts to change my life. Without your help, I could never have gotten this far, and I thank you for seeing my struggles, hearing all my petitions, and answering my prayers. Truly, you are close to me, and I take comfort in your presence. - Andrew
17th of November, 2010

I humbly thank you O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for listening to my prayer. JEP
21st of November

"Lord Jesus thank you for our Lady of Mount Carmel our Mother for her constant intercession and protection. Thank you Holy Mother in confidence for you intercession to save these souls which I have prayed for and for the happy conclusion to what I have asked for that it is pleasing to the Lord that we may all grow in faith and be healed. In addition to the Thanksgiving for the healing and progress you have already provided- please through your intercession let it not be lost but rather built upon for the Glory of God the Most High

Your sinful servant

Nicole

30th November, 2010

Holy Mother thank you for your constant intercession and thank you for the answer to my prayers. Nicole
1st of December, 2010

Dearest Mother, thank you for interceding and presenting my petitions to God on my behalf. Though I am unworthy, I am confident that I will obtain God's comfort and reassurance through your intercession. May I be granted the opportunity to serve you as promised. Catherine
13th of December, 2010

Mary Mother of God, I want to give you thanks for interceding for me I want to give thanks for the restoration of my marriage. Christine O.
17th of December, 2010

Thank you O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for graces received through your intercession - Elizabeth
21st of December, 2010

Thank you Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for graces received and prayers answered, J
25th of December, 2010

Thank you, dear Mother, for your faithful intercession of my prayers. I am confident that God is answering my prayer.- M.
January 2, 2011

Thank you, O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for graces received and answer to my prayer.
Lacy.
January 12th, 2011

I give my thanks to our Lady for her intercession, confident that my prayer will be answered. T. H. V. Philippines
January 14th, 2011

Holy Mary My Queen My Mother, I give you thanks from my heart that You would pray to Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would ask the Father God Almighty to bless my son Christian, a United States Marine, by keeping him safe from returning to combat in Afghanistan . As Your Son Jesus has said “All that we ask of the Father in His name, the Father will grant unto us”. I feel most confident that my prayer is answered. Thank You Blessed Virgin! John M.

January 14th, 2011

Dear LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL thank you for hearing my prayer, for helping me with my problems and granted me my petition. Joanna W.

January 17th, 2011

O dearest Mother, O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for listening to my prayer and for your help. J.

January 17th, 2011

Holy Mother thank you for your constant intercession, protection and for answering my petitions. Nicole
January 18th, 2011

Holy Mother of Mount Carmel,

Thank you for hearing my prayer and concerns and bringing a wonderful answer to my prayers. I have great financial difficulties which have piled up upon me since a horrible divorce which was not of my making. I know that you are keeping me close to your heart and are always watching over me and I thank you for that. Thank you Dear Mother for bringing the financial relief that I so deeply need so that I may go forward and to the work that the Good Lord wants me to do and not be set back from doing that by my financial difficulties and anxieties about money problems. It means so much to me to know that always, always you are here with me.

Much love, Joan
January 19th, 2011

Thank you Our Lady of Mount Carmel for all answered prayers now and always!

Love,
Eleanor
January 27th, 2011

O Holy Mother, Blessed Virgin you have helped me in all facets of my life, especially in time of trouble. I know that you will grant the full recovery of my health so that I can continue the work of God. Thank you Sweet Mother.
Anonymous, February 1st, 2011

Grateful thanks to Our Lady for answered prayer from Beverley
February 26th, 2011

O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel, thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my prayer and helping me in this my necessity. You are my Mother and my Queen, thank you, Jolanta
March 6th, 2011

Great Lady our Mother thank you for healing my family please continue to intercede for us now and always. Thank you, Nicole
March 8th, 2011

Thank you so much, Mary. You have accomplished the impossible, and I thank you for your powerful intercession. I love you, Aaron
March 9th, 2011

Dearest Mother, Thank you for answering my prayer.. Oh Most Holy Mother, I adore thee. I shall continue to honour you and make known your novena to anyone in need. Tanty
March 12th, 2011

O Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Queen of Heaven and Earth, thank you for Your Most Powerful Intercession regarding my urgent Financial situation. O Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us now and at the hour of our death. I love You O Blessed Mother Mother and will never cease to utter so beautiful and powerful Your Name. Amen
Marty
March 12th, 2011

My Lady of Mt. Carmel, Thank you for obtaining my request from your Divine Son Jesus. I know you asked Him for me as you held Him in your arms. I thank you in advance Mary because Jesus said, "whatever you ask for in prayer, if you believe you have received it, it will be yours". David, NYC
March 23rd, 2011

Holy Mother thank you for answering my prayers and reuniting part of my family. Please continue to intercede for us and move a mountain in my daughters heart, through your intercession and through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen. Thank you, Nicole
April 6th, 2011

Blessed Virgin, help me to stay strong in my faith and never to question your Son. Please, continue to lead my son on the road to his career. Thank you for always being there for me. Susan
April 8th, 2011

My Mother Mary, you are full of Graces. I appreciate you for your graces that you have allowed to manifest in my life. I prayed to you to exonerate me in the problems my enemies have enveloped me. Within two days your wonders happened. I was eventually exonerated. These were problems on the job which had lingered on for about 3 months! My enemies were shamed and I and my family will continue to sing Alleluia to God. We believe all other prayers sent to you are already granted because we have faith and we have been convinced. My Mother Mary, I thank you for being a good Mother to us. Empower me spiritually to continue to preach you and your powers to others. Thank you, my Good Mother.

RICHARD B. P. AKURE. NIGERIA (09/04/2011)

Great Lady, I thank you for your constant intercession, for answering me and restoring my family. Please continue with your mother Good St Anne to go to the thrown of God and ask for a healing for our family, Our Lady of Mt Carmel, make haste, to help us.
Nicole
12/4/11

Holy Mother- Blessed be your name and the name of your son Jesus Christ. thank you for your intercession and miracles withing my family. Please continue to intercede for us, unite and heal us and help our daughter in Jesus name amen. Nicole
14th April, 2011

Thank you my dearest Mother for listening to me. Please help me as l am going through this terrible depression . I know that with your help l will get better. l promise to make your name better known and better loved. 1rene
16th April, 2011

Thank you O Blessed Virgin of Mt Carmel for listening to my prayers and for all your help and graces received. JP
26th April, 2011

O Our Dear Blessed Mother, you truly are our Mother, who upon seeing me, your daughter in need, could not bear to be her so troubled. You not only gave the material response to my request, you have awakened and inspired in me the right way to see the crosses I have to bear, and the graces that the Lord Jesus Christ has never failed to shower on me all throughout my life. Thank you, my dear Mother. I will never stop adoring, loving, praising and thanking your Immaculate Heart and the Most Immaculate Heart of your Son, Jesus. Please always guide me and stay with me forever. Amen. LLV
10th May, 2011

O Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, thank you my heavenly Mother for granting my request. O Mary, Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of the Brown Scapular, I love you. John D
13th May, 2011

Holy Mary, Mother of God, thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. With your assistance, help me to live up to this grace and do God's Will thereby. Beatrice
26th May, 2011

Holy Mother, I believe in this prayer! I believe I will overcome all struggling I am facing with my PhD. With your help I'm sure I will do a good work and I will finish it on time. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, thank you. Carlos
5th June 2011

Thank-you Lady of Mount Carmel for being there to listen to my fears as life unfolds. It is so wonderful to know that you are there to listen to me. JLC
11th June 2011

thank u Mother for giving me hope. I am confidant that you will perform a miracle and saju will be healed.
Hail Mary...Mother of God
dvarma71

Oh dearest virgin Mother Mary, I thank you for your constant intercetions for me every time I pray to you. I thank you for the protection you have provided to me and my family. I believe that the job that i have asked throughout this period will come to pass through the mighty power that you have. It will be for the good of everybody and not just for me. I thank you and trust that everything will be okay in the name of Jesus. Amen

Your loving daughter Josephine
23rd of June, 2011

My dear Mother of Mount Carmel, I thank you with all my heart and soul and strength for hearing my prayer. I know you always hear my prayer. Thank you for saving my marriage and bringing my wife back to me, thank you for changing her heart and understanding the truth of Jesus, thank you for making her repent from the bottom of her heart. Thank you Mother Mary of Mount Carmel. I thank you.
Mathew
24th of June, 2011

Thank you blessed mother for your lightening swift answer to my prayers and for all your help, love & support. Thank you also to your Son, Jesus son of God.
CS
24th of June, 2011

Holy Precious Mother, thank you for answering my prayers and allowing me to experience true joy and happiness. Blessed be your wonderful name. Stacey
June 25th, 2011

Blessed Mother, thank you for hearing my prayers in all their selfishness. I know that I am asking you to grant me the impossible. I am eternally grateful and eternally in your debt. Thank you for granting what I have been pleading for. JM
June 28th, 2011

Thanksgiving to Our Lady for graces received, from Wullie C
July 8th, 2011

Holy Mother, I thank you for listening to my poor prayer and granting my petition. Thank you for being our Mother and keeping us under the mantle of your protection. Thy name O Mother brings such joy and peace to my heart. Marie S.
July 13th, 2011

Holy Mary, thank you for listening to my prayers. I trust in your love.

Thank you,
Katherine.
13th July, 2011

O Mary my Mother, I thank you for listening to my prayer and for so many graces received. I trust in you, Jolanta
15th July, 2011

Thank you so much for listening to my oh-so-human prayers. My gratitude for your love, intercession, and protection is deep. I know I am blessed to have you in my life and I look forward to growing closer to you. Thank you for the graces for which I ask that are in accordance with His will. Thank you, Mother Mary. I love you. NTJ Kansas City

My sweet dearest Mama Mary, I know you never fail in coming to my assistance.
in answering my most heartfelt petitions and prayers, in Jesus' name, Amen. LC 7/17/11

Dearest Mother Mary, thank you for interceding for me. I trust in you and your holy Son, through whom all things are possible. - Catherine.
18th July, 2011

Blessed Mother, Through your intercession, I have faith my prayer will be answered. Joseph
19th July, 2011

My dearest Mother, I'm really really looking forward to your intercession in my utmost urgent prayers. Please mother please do not forsake me. Your daughter in distress, Rosy
20th July, 2011

Dear, compassionate Mother, I come to you in gratitude for the peace I know your intercession will bring to my relationship, for the wisdom God will grant me in this most difficult decision of my life. I trust that He who controls life itself will show me the light to the right path. Thank you, dear Mother, for your intercession and love. Christine
20.7.2011

My Dear Mother, Queen of Heaven, I want to thank you for another petition granted through Your Dear Son, Jesus Christ!
You are indeed our Mother, never known to fail us in our time of distress.
Thank You! Thank You! Grant me the grace to spread devotion to You and Your Son.

With gratitude and love,

Juliette
21st July, 2011

Dear Mother
What can i say?? I didnt know that it will ever happen and it did my face is completely beautiful and ive got my dream job and im fully satisfied with it.Not only that, im attached as well and hes a catholic and all that i have ever wanted, hoped,wished and prayed for has happened. Thank you sooooo much...This is the best month ever!!!!Love you forever mother.....

Your grateful and out-of-loss of words daughter
Rosy
21st July, 2011

Our Holy Mother, I prayed for the miracle to have my husband returned to me a faithful, drug free, loving husband and father. Through your intercession my prayers have been answered and my family will continue to be blessed, protected, and guided by you and my Lord God. Your protection and blessings as my Mother, I shall always be grateful for and sing your praises. On this, our youngest sons first birthday, my prayers have been answered. Thank you for granting me the miracle of keeping my family together and being loved faithfully by my husband. My children will now get to grow in this world knowing the love of a complete family that was only possible by the grace of God and your love for me. With all of my heart, I thank you.
Tina A.
7/21/2011

Dear Blessed Mother Mary, thank you for hearing and listening to my prayers. Thank you for interceding and restoring my relationship with N and helping us find our way back together. I will be forever grateful to you and show you my gratitude through my daily actions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you. R.
21st of July, 2011

Dear Blessed Mother Mary, Thank you for hearing my prayers with N. Please find it in your heart to have mercy on me and answer my prayers. I promise that I will never take for granted my relationship or life with N. and I will never forget that you helped me in answering my prayers. I will try to show you my gratitude every single day somehow/someway, either through my actions, volunteer work, donations, charities...........however I can show you, I will. I promise to never forget this great favor that you granted me. Please hear my prayers and answer them as you have in the past. I will be forever thankful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I know you will do everything you possibly can to intercede for me and restore my relationship with N. and bring him back to me. Thank you, I love you. R.

Holy Mother, Queen of Peace, I thank you for creating an atmosphere of harmony at work and for diluting whatever false poison people have spread about me. Thank you for helping us to get along and for restoring the brotherly love that existed at the beginning. Compassionate Mother, please continue to dispell the discord among your children and help us remember always that we are all your children. (Christine, 27.7.2011)

Dear Holy Mother, Thank you for listening to my request. I trust in you. I am happy with the outcome, May your Divine Son be praised for evermore. Your will, in union with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be done. Mike
27th of July, 2011

Dear Blessed Mother thank you so much for answering my prayer. Virginia
29th of July, 2011

I believe in Jesus Christ and respect Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Holy Tradition of the RC Church. I believe and trust my petition will be granted to me. Anitta
2nd August, 2011

Thank you, our dear Lady of Mount Carmel for my niece’s successful surgery and her safety. Thank you, too for my successful oral surgery. kog
3rd August, 2011

I have with great devotion have said the petition prayer to our Lady of Mount Carmel. With great devotion and anxiety I have prayed to our dearest Mother to help my daughter pass through her IPCC Exam in the first attempt itself, in all the seven papers that she has appeared. With great devotion I have prayed that my daughter does not fail this Exam, and passes through her first attempt itself, wherein the results will be declared on 8th August’2011 at 2pm. My hearfelt thanksgiving to our dearest Blessed Mother, who has never ever failed me in the past. I, with great gratitude, give my utmost thanks, and every beat of my heart love and honour her. I thank dearest Blessed Virgin Mother for all the blessing that she has bestowed on my family, my children and me. I earnestly pray that my entire family be always close to her and her dearest son our Lord Jesus Christ. With regards and thanksgiving I end my above text to be published through your profile. With regards and blessing to you and your family. Daisy, Mumbai.

It has been a long road and many years with Craig. Thank you for the peace I feel with this situation and confidence that however it turns out that it is God's will.
Donna C
7th August, 2012

Thank you so much, Our Lady of Mt Carmel. I have full confidence that you will answer my petition.
Thank you thank you thank you! S
9th August, 2011

Blessed Mother Mary, Thank you, for listening to my prayers. I am sure you will intercede on my behalf soon. Sandra
11th August, 2011

O Mary my sweet Mother you have always been with me supporting me and wiping my tears off. I thank you for all that from the bottom of my heart. I ask with all my hope to remove all the barriers between this relationship of me and raj, to make our parents agree for relation and allow us to get married to each other and live a peaceful life with each other. I beg of you O my sweet loving Mother the help of all to grant me thy special grace and special aid in getting my petition granted. I trust you my Mother that you will help me and grant me my petition through your powerful intercession. Shruti
14th August, 2011

Thank you Most Holy Mother for listening to my petition, PG
17th August, 2011

Thank you Most Holy Mother for listening to my petition, Fred
18th August, 2011

Thank you Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel for your blessings and miracle granted to our family. Thank you for helping me in my most desperate hour. You are forever in my heart. Thank you Mother Mary, I love you. MK
20th August, 2011

Oh holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth. I want to deeply thank you for helping me and answering my prayers. Thank you sending my special someone back into my life. I will forever praise your name. You are forever in my heart.....Mickey
21st August, 2011

In thanksgiving for answering my prayer: None can withstand Thy power! Beatrice
22nd August, 2011

Thank you again, O Most Holy Mother for listening to my petition, PG
22nd August, 2011

Thank you so so much mother Mary for answering my prayers.
From S
22nd August, 2011

Dear Blessed Virgin, Mary, Mother of God, Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Thank you for interceding on my behalf with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, and asking him the grant my request. I will be forever grateful to you and try to show you my gratitude and devotion everyday. I will never forget how you heard me and answered my prayers and I will be forever grateful to you and never take it for granted. Thank you once again for having mercy on me and finding it in your heart to answer my prayers. I am so happy and grateful to you and I will always remember this. I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Amen. RS
30th August, 2011

Thank you holy Mary,mother of God, star of the sea our lady of Impossible cases. I venerate thee, you give me job and have made all my impossible cases possible.Thank you Mary cause of my joy. Kenechukwu
5th September, 2011

Thank you Mary, Mother of God for all your blessings and favours received.
Cathy
9th September, 2011

Thank you my Dearest Mother for listening to my requests and for Your help. JP
12th September, 2011

Oh Blessed Virgin Mary, my Mother of God, thank you in advance for finding work where I can touch others with a sign of the cross. Thank you for the physical health and spiritual well being of the ones I have specifically prayed for. Please bring my family together in our Lord’s Church and on this earth. May I be an instrument for my Lord in my teaching this year. Thank you again. I love you! Kit
13th September, 2011

I get so much comfort in this prayer and in knowing that Mary will help with my current problem... I have seen the blessings of this prayer and I truly believe it does not fail and won't fail me this time, either. Thank you, Mary, and I will continue to thank you all the days of my life. -Jennifer B

My dearest Mother,
Forever I am grateful for the many times you have saved me, helped me, and protected me. I am thankful that you continue to pray for me and my family. If not for you, I know that my life would have been unbearable. Thank you for your prayers and intercessions.....and all my answered prayers. I love you.

Ann
29th September, 2011

Thank you so much Mother Mary for helping me in my need. Thank you for helping me commit my relationship with DGD and filling us with love and understanding. Thanks for erasing all the misunderstandings, bitterness between us and helping us both to value each other and grow as happy, caring individuals with one another. Thank you for the wonderful memorable phase of our life when we met each other and had a beautiful journey.
Please hold your shining light above us and continue to guide us both always.

Thanks so much,
Deeps
2nd October, 2011

Most Holy Virgin, Flower and Beauty of Carmel, you are my inspiration and guide. I thank you and place my cause in your hands. You inspire me to be a better mother, wife and woman. Thank you for your Mercy.
Maria U.
5th October, 2011

Thank you Mother, for answering my prayer. AJ
12th October, 2011

O Blessed Virgin Mary, I pray and ask you to guide my children through this difficult time in their lives. For my son to recuperate from knee surgery and my daughter to gain self-confidence. Thank-you Mary, for listening to my prayers.
Debra
14th of October, 2011

My Most Holy Mother, thank you with all my heart for hearing the prayers of your most undeserving child. Thank you for quickly getting us completely out of this wretched debt and allowing me to keep my home and saving my marriage; also for finding my husband work with a steady paycheck that we may be able to continue to live together in harmony like the Holy Family. I appreciate with all my heart your constant and unceaseing protection and intercession. Love, Josie
16th of October, 2011

Thank-you! The move is almost here. I have a job, now I just need the right place to live. Please watch over me! Blessings and many thanks!!!

Jenn 10/16/2011

My Most Holy Mother, thank you with all my heart for hearing the prayers of your most undeserving child. Thank you for quickly getting us completely out of this wretched debt and allowing me to keep my home and saving my marriage; also for finding my husband work with a steady paycheck that we may be able to continue to live together in harmony like the Holy Family. I appreciate with all my heart your constant and unceasing protection and intercession. Love, Josie
17th October, 2011

Thank you gracious Lady for hearing my plea for financial help ,I'm secure in knowing you will hear this prayer and have mercy on me a sinner , but faithful child of your Blessed Son Jesus Christ , sincerely Katie
18th October, 2011

I submit my cares and anxieties to Our Lady of Mt Carmel and ask humbly that she might see fit to answer my heart-felt petition. Brendan
19th October, 2011

Dear Blessed Mother, I never understood how much I loved you until now that I'm a mother myself. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for hearing me and interceding for me to your son Jesus. I need your intercession Mother and I thank you! I love you! Thank you also for the blessing of our new national Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help! LMD
20th October, 2011

Thank you for always being by my side and getting me to were I am today in life. I am forever grateful. Please assist me in this favour I ask, I believe in you, you have always answered my prayers before And never let me down xxx OM
22nd October, 2011

Dearest Mother of Mount Carmel
Thank you for hearing and having mercy on me and my family. Thank you so very much dearest Mother – I have prayed so long with no answer. We need our pension back now Mother – you can see that my poor husband is tired and getting too old to continue to work so very hard. Dearest Mother of God, you know how hard it is down here. You had to watch while your loved ones suffered. Please Mother, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit love you so much they will gladly grant your request for me. Hide me and my family in your love Mother Dearest. I have joined the Carmel Guild here in town and I so look forward to spreading the good news about you, our loving Mother of Mount Carmel.
I do not know the precious prayer I have just prayed to you by heart dearest One but know that I will continue to say it and that I fervently mean to print it here if that please you. Know that I love you Mother of mine, thank you thank you. Amen, AW
22nd October, 2011

Thank you so much Mumma Mary of Mount Carmel. We all thank you so much for the favour received by reciting the lovely prayer to you for three days. We have no words to thank you. You know how much we love you Mumma. Thank you once again Mumma now and always your child. Rita
24th October, 2011

Holy Mother thank you for everything you have done for me and my family; I prayed this pray to you many, many years ago for my brother and you answered my prayer and I pray this prayer to you again today for my husband. Thank you for your mercy. mia
25th October, 2011

Thank you Lady Carmel for making my wishes come true. Thank you thank you thank you
S
26th October, 2011

Thanks, praise, glory and honour to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel for hearing my pleas for a complete, speedy recovery from a very painful and distressing trapped nerve. John
28th October, 2011

Our Lady, thank you AGAIN for helping me and my goofy friends...you are certainly going to get a lot of Catholics out of THIS one! Larry's back and neck will thank you too! I love you so much! Thank you. Tanya
29th October, 2011

Mother Mary, I have faith that through your intercession, my petition and prayers regarding my son will be heard and granted. I thank You with my whole heart. nk
30th October, 2011

Blessed Mother, if I have any sins I have not confessed, that I have forgotten about or in ignorance committed against Him, I ask for the grace that they be made known to me so I may go and confess them. Every night before I sleep I will strive to pray that my sins be made known to me that day so I may go and confess them and I ask for the grace that I might learn from my sins so that I may strive to avoid them. I do not want to grieve your son's or your heart. I realize I need grace from your son my savior to accomplish this, I can do nothing without his grace or mercy. Please accept this prayer and make it perfect, I can do nothing through my own power. I have other prayers I need graces for but I wanted to come and ask for forgiveness first. I thank you Blessed Mother for showing us how to love your son. For praying for us to your son. You are the Queen of Heaven and Earth, and my Blessed Mother, please accept my prayer. CKM
4th November, 2011

Blessed Mother, I thank you for listening to my prayer and for graces received, J.
6th November, 2011

For my best friend. Someone your Son sent to me to be my friend in this life and the next, when my own mother was called back to Heaven. She is physically struggling which is causing emotional distress as well. For the God's grace during this trial in her life that she may do his will. Thank you for hearing my prayer.M
6th November, 2011

Oh Holy Mother, Thank You for prayers answered, SPA
14th November, 2011

I want to send my thanksgiving to be published in gratitude to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for favors received. Our Blessed Mother is a loving and powerful advocate for her children on earth. With much thanks, Gail C.
15th November, 2011

Thank you Mary my mother for listening and answering my prayers. UC
16th November, 2011

Mother Mary, thank you so much. I believe through your intercession that our prayers will be answered immediately. Tammy & Connor
17th November, 2011

Thank you dear Mother for your powerful and kind intercession as I know through your intercession, my prayers and petition will be answered immediately. Thank you for the blessings and graces you have bestowed on me and my family. I love and adore you.. CF
19th November, 2011

Dear Mother of Mount Carmel, Thank you for the gift of relief, for the joy that comes from peace. Thank you for bringing this distressing issue to a blessed resolution. sMJ ~ The Day before Thanksgiving!
23rd November, 2011

Thank you Mary, Mother of God even though I am not worthy thank you - Maria
23rd November, 2011

Thank you for always remembering me when I forget you - Mia
23rd November, 2011

I would like to thank Mary my Mother for prayers answered - Mother Mary I trust that my prayer is answered amen - char
23rd November, 2011

My Beloved Mama Mary, I thank you in advance for your powerful intercession and for answering my prayers for Conrad’s complete and permanent healing and deliverance from the addiction to alcohol. May your mantle of love, grace and protection always be upon him. Lead him closer to your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, so that God’s divine plans for his life will be fulfilled. Amen. I love you, Mama Mary - Monisha
25th November, 2011

Thank you Holy Mother for listening and answering my prayers. Forever Devoted
LGD
25th November, 2011

I say thank to Our Lady for my prayers have been answered. Nancy
29th November, 2011

Blessed Mother, thank you for calling to me, and not leaving me to wander aimlessly. You are again awakening my heart to heaven. My mother prayed the Rosary every day, and when she left this earth, I know her Rosary continued for all of us. I see her joy. Thank you for my mother, and thank you for drawing me back to you. In you I trust my deepest petitions, and I thank you for your abundant blessings. May I live a purposeful life. Sharon
29th November, 2011

All praise and glory to you Blessed Mother. In the hours between writing my last note of thanksgiving until this, there have been substantial changes in response to my petition...and on the third day. Thank you for noticing me. I will share these blessings. Sharon
30th November, 2011

My Holy Mother, thank you for all the blessings you Have afforded to me and my family. I pray Holy Mother that you hear my prayer for my daughter. Thank you for always listening to my prayers, and I am forever devoted to you. LPD
30th November, 2011

Thanksgiving

I thank you Our Lady for already helping me in this terrible situation I’m experiencing right now, in terms of my financial woes. This has taught me a proper lesson in this stage of my life. I have every faith in your efficacious intercession and will commit my devotions to you as long as I live. I know Sweet Jesus will listen to you to perform a miracle as at Cana , may he change my debts into financial blessings. This I ask from the bottom of my heart, dearest Mother of the Son of God, for your powerful intercession. I can trust no one with this prayer except through You, My Mother for your Son and our God to grant me this favour. Amen
Your Ever Grateful Daughter, AN
1st December, 2011

Thank you, dear Blessed Mother for your graciousness in hearing my prayers and interceding to your precious son Jesus and to God the Father, for my elderly mother's recovery from recent surgery and for the healing of the nerve pain in her right leg and of the lumbar spinal stenosis. She is already improving and I know that she will continue to improve with your loving care and intercession. Thank you for always looking after us. We love you. Shannon S.
1at December, 2011

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 (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say three times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Amen.CR
2nd December, 2011

Beloved Mama Mary, I thank you in advance for interceding for us and granting our prayers for the apartment deals to go through according to the desires of our heart. Keep us always close to the Sacred Heart of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. I love you, Mama Mary - Monisha
3rd December, 2011

Beloved Mama Mary, thank you for granting our prayers for one apartment deal to go through according to the desires of our heart. I thank you in advance for interceding and granting our prayers for the other apartment deal to go through as well. We love you Mama Mary. Truly nothing is impossible for our mighty God! Amen. I love you, Mama Mary - Monisha
5th December, 2011

Thank you Mother Mary for interceding and having my prayers answered for me. F.B
6th December, 2011

Thank you Mother Mary from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for me, for listening to me, guiding me and interceding for me. I love you mother Mary and thank you for the help you are giving me at this time and for answering my prayers. Thank you A.R.E.
10th December, 2011

Thank You Mother Mary for listening, interceding and having my prayers answered for me. Fran
11th December, 2011

Thank you for answering my prayers. Mia
12th December, 2011

Mother Mary, thank you so very sincerely for listening to my prayers and answering them. I love you so much and look forward with great anticipation to growing closer to you. NTJ
12th December, 2011

I am extremely happy in finding that site and for this wonderful prayer that I received and will gladly share it with others. Thank you HOLY MARY,MOTHER OF JESUS.
Semmentha
13th December, 2011

Thank you Holy Mother of God and my Mother for listening to my prayer and for your help, JP
14th December, 2011

Holy Mother
Thank you for always hearing my prayers, and for your compassion and grace with which your care for all of us. Thank you for answering my prayers in the past and the present. Forever devoted to you. LGD
14th December, 2011

Thank you Mary for hearing my prayers. ST
15th December, 2011

Thank you, O Most Blessed Virgin for listening to my prayer, Jolanta
16th December, 2011

Dearest Mother Mary, thankyou for hearing my heartfelt plea yet again...Thankyou so much for giving me back my relationship with DGD. I will never again take our relationship for granted.Thanks for showering your mercy and bringing him back to me again. Please let us never be apart and always be happy with each other together.
Love and Thanks, Deeps
18th December, 2011.

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 (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say three times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Amen.
Thank you My Queen -DM
20th December, 2011

Dear Virgin Mother, Thank you for your blessings during this holiday season, and throughout the year. You are most deserving of our love and devotion. I keep you in my heart and you are my guiding light. May your light shine upon all those that need hope, love and joy. MCU
21st December, 2011

I praise and thank you my Holy Mother for blessing me and helping me to help those who are in need. Marcella
21st December, 2011

Thank you in advance Holy Mary, Our Mother. Anonymous
21st December, 2011

I thank God for the blessing of my wife and my son. I am very thankful that God has given me a very nice, kind, and loving family. Josh P. and Crystal LuAnn Kennedy
22nd December, 2011

Holy Mary, Mother of our God,
I am joyful that I can talk to you through this prayer and tell you about my necessity. I am grateful to you and I know you will not leave me on my own in this difficult time. Thank you. V.V.
23rd December, 2011

Dear Lady of Mount Carmel, thank you for granting my request. My devotion to you is forever. Lisa D.
30th December, 2011

After saying the prayer for one day.......

I have had a breakthrough in an area in my life that has been seemingly impossible to change. I've gone through tremendous financial difficulties over the past several years and it seems as though a dream will be coming true. It hasn't made itself clear as to how it will affect me financially, but I am certain that at least stability will finally take hold.

Thank you holy Mother Mary. (Plus, my parish is Our Lady of Mount Carmel), it makes me cry just thinking about it). This prayer is a direct line to Her. I believe it 100%.

Thank you for helping me out!

Nancy McC.
31st December, 2011

Thank you Mother for blessing SRK and my marriage. Thank you Mother for blessing with a good job of your chcice. Rgds, DR
6th January, 2012

Holy Mary, Many thanks for listening to my pleas.I am in dire need of financial help and finding permanent or steady employment. I believe you will answer my prayer. Thanking you in advance, LDQ.
6th January, 2012

My Holy Mother, thank you for helping my son, MGreen.
6th January, 2012

Our Lady of Mount Carmel I thank you for the blessings, guidance and graces that our family have received. Thank for hearing my prayers to unite my family in love, peace, respect, joy and contentment. Our Lady of Mount Carmel you never fail to grant those who implored your help. Thank you for guiding my children to do better in their education. I love you and entrust to you my desires, needs of my family and worries, please take care of them. Thank you once again for being there for me in my desperate times. I always call upon you and trust for your mercy and goodness, Jo.
7th January, 2012

Dear Our Lady of Mt Carmel, thank you that I received an answer to my first novena. Please hear and answer me again regarding Allan. VM
9th January, 2012

My Dear Beautiful Queen - Thank you so much for all the wonderful Blessings I have in my life. I am so grateful to have the friends and family that I have and that I wake up everyday to see the beauty of Gods creation. I believe you are always with me guiding me. Thank you for your intercession. I am certain that my prayers will be answered. I will gain employment and I believe that my pay will be in abundance that I will be able to take care of my family and that I will find the true love that I long for. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. I praise you, Mary my Queen, always and forever. Love your child - Maryalice
9th January, 2012

Thank You For The Mercy, Holy Mother of Son of GOD, I pray to you for your help in my hour of need. Holy Mother, please help me deliver my request to the Lord JESUS CHRIST and send the Holy Spirit to help me make this wish or miralce to become a reality. Forgive my sins and allow me to walk proudly as God's servant. I accept JESUS CHRIST as my savior and teacher to guide me towards the path of righteous way of life. Thank you and praise the Lord GOD. Amen, RS
9th January, 2012

Dear Blessed Mother Mary, our Lady of Mount Carmel, I thank you with all my heart for hearing me and interceding for me to our Lord, your Son, for my most dear petition. Please know how thankful I am to have you as my Mother, you comfort me and you are there to help me. Thank you Blessed Mother, I love you! -Lacey
10th January, 2012

My prayer has not be answered yet, but I know she will hear and answer my prayer and petitions to her.

I am publishing this prayer to her and know that my prayers will be granted. Thank you Blessed Mother, Gina.
10th January 10, 2012

My prayer has not be answered yet, but I know OLMC will hear and answer my prayer and petitions. I know that my prayers will be granted. Thank you Blessed Mother, Gina
10th January 10, 2012

Thank you mother for fulfilling my prayers. Rgds, DR
12th January, 2012

Most Holy Virgin:

I give thanks to thee for I am confident that you will intercede for me. I know my prayers will be answered and that I will gain employment. You hear my cries of a lonely heart and I I know you will bring someone into my life that will be my best friend/true love - the way god intended a couple to be. I would be forever in your debt if "V" and I came face to face today. I know I am still in his heart and maybe seeing me again would change things for the better. Thank you so much!
Love - Maf
14th January, 2012

Please thank Mary Mother of GOD for listening to me and asking GOD to make it his will to answer my prayers the way I see them. I know it is so not as important as many other's problems, but thank you and her from the bottom of my heart. Please pray that the outcome will be the way I know in my heart it should be for my beautiful daughter. Thank you O Blessed Mother, KD
15th of January, 2012

I thank our lady for listening and I know and believe my prayers will be answered holy mother of god pray for us who have recourse to thee, Charlotte.
15th of January, 2012

Thank you Mother for fulfilling my wish, DR
16th of January, 2012

Holy Mary, Mother of God, thank you for hearing my prayers! There are none that can withstand thy power!
BL
21st of January, 2012

I will continue to pray in thanksgiving for nine days. I know our lady will hear and answer my petitions. Thank You Blessed Mother for all of my answered prayers. Gina T.
23rd of January, 2012

Our lady of mt.Carmel,I thank you for your powerful intercession.Oh beautiful flower of mt Carmel,thank you for obtaining for me from your divine son,all blessings,both spiritual and temporal,particulary the grace of financial assistance,which will enable me to meet and satisfy my financial obligation with a local bank.Virgin most powerful,thank you for your love towards me and my loved ones. FN
29th of January, 2012

Thank you, Blessed Mother for hearing and answering my prayers in the past, because you have answered, and for these particular ones in the future. I will continue to ask for your help. Gina.
30th of January, 2012

Blessed Mother, thank you for listening to my desperate prayers. Have mercy on me and my children. I humbly but urgently seek your intercession to save my marriage, rescue my husband from what appears to be a terrible midlife crisis, and restore his love for me. I know that miracles are possible with your help. Our family will soon be whole and healed, with my husband back home for good as a loving spouse and responsible father. Dear Mother, you are my light in my darkest hour, and I thank you with all my heart. M
3rd of February, 2012

Dear Mama Mary, Please help with this special request as I am in dire need. Please place this request at Jesus' feet and intercede for me as always. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your mercy and powerful intercession for the countless favors and petitions you have granted. LCD
6th of February, 2012

Thank you Blessed Mother for answering some of my petitions, I know and believe that the rest are sure to be answered before long. Thank you so much for listening to me and granting some of my petitions. I will constantly keep praying to you, my devotion to you is constant, and also to your son. Thanks ever so much, your servant GT.
8th February, 2012

Our Lady of Lourdes - pray for us!

2011-02-11T08:09:00.000Z

The story of St Bernardette HERE

This is the rest of the post

2010-07-24T18:34:00.003+01:00

MOUNT CARMEL NOVENA PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Long Version -

+In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

FIRST DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

The Prophet Elias
The Prophet Elias, concerning whose birth the Holy Scripture is silent, may be called the 'man of fire'. The Holy Ghost narrates his appearance in the world with wonderful precision. The word of Elias burned like a fiery torch, his mind, his heart, and his whole being were aflame with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Fire purifies, and a man thus enkindled must be pure and holy, cleansed from all worldly dross. A mighty soul in God's sight, he shut the heavens, and no rain fell. At his command, the dead arose. He called on heaven for justice, and the clouds sent down fire. At his prayer, the long drought ceased, and an abundance of rain fell. The most glorious mystery of the Holy Virgin, the dogma that most highly extols her, her fairest crown of honor, the Immaculate Conception, was revealed to this great Prophet, who was translated in a fiery chariot, and is to come again at the end of the world to combat the Antichrist, and appease the wrath of God. In the little cloud, "the size of a man's foot", that rose from the sea, and increasing, covered the heavens and sent abundance of rain, the prophetic spirit of Elias saw a most beautiful image of Mary Immaculate. The little cloud rises from the sea, but is not bitter like the sea. Mary is born from our corrupt race, but in her there is no taint of original sin. The Divine Redeemer preserved her from it by the merits of His future Passion and Death. The mystery of the little cloud seen by Elias is not a mere fancy of biblical interpreters. Our Holy Mother, the Church, approves the explanation we have given. In the lessons of the Divine Office for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we read the the little cloud seen by Elias the Prophet marvelously typified Mary Immaculate. Immortal glory to the Prophet of Carmel, the man of fire, zealous for the glory of God, and of Mary, who with prophetic spirit understood the wonderful mystery of the Immaculate Conception, the most excellent of Mary's privileges!

EXAMPLE
The Venerable Francis de Yepes, brother of St. John of the Cross, compared the holy Scapular to an invincible weapon by which he always conquered every temptation, and overcame the snares of the devil. On a certain occasion, the devils threatened him, and bade him remove his Scapular, but the holy man replied that he would always wear it, and venerate it, and that, moreover, he would strive with all his power to propagate its devotion. Thereupon the devils said to him, that they hated three things, first to hear the Holy Name of Jesus; second, to hear the Name of Mary; third, to see the Scapular worn by a Christian.

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine,
None like to Thee
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
Blessed be thou, O Lady and Queen of Carmel, in thy Immaculate Conception! Let all creatures praise and bless thee! Let the Angels in heaven chant eternal glory to thee! The just on earth and even the very demons bend the knee before thee, who art all beautiful and all fair, and without original stain. The beauty of Carmel has been given to thee, and the glory, of Lebanon. We also, most Holy Mother, rise from the sea of this world, not like thee all pure and Immaculate, but loaded with misery and sins. Help us, save us, look upon us who cry to thee. Turn, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us.Amen.

SECOND DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

The Order of Mount Carmel
The Prophet Elias did not stop with the vision of the little cloud. His knowledge of the Virgin whose rising would precede the coming of the Immaculate Sun of Justice, caused his mind to be absorbed by this wonderful type of the mystery of the Immaculate Conception. His soul, aflame for all that was great and divine, made him love with the whole strength of his being, the ever Blessed Virgin, who was to bring us the Divine Rain besought by another prophet with ardent tears, "Let the clouds rain from above the Just One". " Now the heart of the man has laws by which it is guided. Man has not made these laws. The will of God has graven them in his soul. These laws govern the relations between God and man, from his creation and redemption to his glorification in heaven. To imitate the beloved, to desire to resemble the object of our heart's affection, such is the law of love. By this law, the Word was made flesh, and man was Deified. Elias, in his ecstatic contemplation, in his burning love for Mary Immaculate, wished to imitate her, desired to resemble her, longed to imprint her in his heart and in his life. He conceived the idea of the religious state, and established a religious Order that should imitate the Most Pure Virgin. Hence, the Carmelite Order, pre-eminently Mary's. It sprang from the natural law of imitation. It was the first to venerate her publicly, erecting a chapel in her honor, and the hermits of Mount Carmel had the singular privilege of receiving familiar and affectionate visits from her before her death, as the Holy Church relates in the office of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is not strange, therefore, that Christ Himself calls it, "the Order of the Virgin"(Life of St. Teresa.)

EXAMPLE
Father Parmetier narrates the following facts: "In the year 1717, on account of an extraordinary inundation, the city of Nantes was flooded, and the Carmelite Church of that city which contained the sepulchre of the Dukes of Brittany, was ruined. The Government directed that the sepulchre be opened, in order to repair the damage caused by the flood. In the sarcophagus, the Royal Commissioners found a wooden box, containing another of lead, of which was enclosed a golden heart, all living in water. The inner recpetacle of gold contained the heart of the late Queen Anne of Brittany, together with the holy Scapular she always wore. On opening it, the Commissioners found that the heart of the Queen had been reduced to ashes, but the Scapular remained in perfect condition, as if it had just been placed there, though it naturally should have decayed, after lying in water for 18 years. This fact was attested by a Royal Preces-Verbal".

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine
None like to Thee
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
I give thanks to thee, O Virgin Mother of Carmel, for the wonderful gift of thy holy Scapular, the badge of thy Confraternity, by which I share in all the spiritual blessings and graces of thy holy Order, founded by St. Elias for thy greater glory. O my Mother, make me worthy to wear thy sacred livery; may my heart ever be faithful to thee, and preserved from every stain of sin. Amen

THIRD DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition).
Amen.

St. Simon Stock
The devil, that ancient serpent who wages eternal war against the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and of men, bitterly hates the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mary's privileged family. Because it is the work of her Immaculate hands, it draws upon itself all the fury, malice and persecution of the evil one. Scarcely had the Carmelites come from the East and settled in the West, when the devil raised such a terrible storm against them that it threatened their very existence, the right to which was denied by some of their enemies. Some said they were newcomers, and therefore, they could not be trusted, and others said that they were not the children of the Mother of God, as they pretended, but descendants of Mary of Egypt. Is there anything more distressing to the heart of a loving child than to hear his relationship to his mother denied? The Carmelites, the first-born of Mary's family and entirely consecrated to her, having no other desire than to please her in all things, now experienced this bitter anguish, seeing their glorious and most cherished title --children of Mary-- so hotly contested. To whom should they turn but to Mary, who never forsakes her children? Saint Simon Stock, thenGeneral of the Order, poured out his heart at the feet of the beautiful Queen of Carmel, and, in a moment of Sublime inspiration, exclaimed, "Most holy Virgin! Beauty of Carmel Virgin Flower forever in bloom! Bright Ornament of Heaven! Thou Virgin-Mother of a Man-God! Mother of holy love! Mother of mercy and meekness! Star of the sea! O Mary, show us thou art our Mother! O Virgin most holy, give me a sign of thy predilection for thine Order of Carmel which will astonish our adversaries, and confound our detractors!" The confidence and perseverance of this true disciple of Elias could not but win the favor of the Queen of Carmel, who appeared to him with the Infant Jesus in her arms, surrounded by a multitude of celestial spirits, and holding in her hand the Scapular of the Order, which she presented to him, said, "Receive, my beloved son, this Scapular of thine Order, as the distinctive sign of my Confraternity". Before disappearing from the enraptured gaze of the saint, the Blessed Virgin directed him to go to the Vicar of her Divine Son, who was then the Innocent IV, assuring him that the Pope would end the persecution then raging against the Order.

EXAMPLE
Our Holy Father, Saint John of the Cross, knowing by divine revelation the day and hour of his death, a few moments before he expired gave thanks to his Mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for having obtained for him the happiness of dying on Saturday, the day of the week sacred to her honor.

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
Virgin Mother of Carmel, remember thy children who are consecrated to thee by the holy Scapular! The wicked spirit always persecutes those who are thine, and he will strive also to encompass my ruin. I place my trust in thee, O Flower of Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Ever-Immaculate Queen! O Mother mild, implore thy Son to hear our prayers now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

FOURTH DAY.

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

The Holy Scapular
Our Lady's heart is a mother's gentle, tender heart, with love and affection deeper than that of all other mothers, for she has given birth to thousands and millions of children at the foot of the Cross. A mother's heart cannot resist the supplications of her son. The Blessed Virgin lovingly heard the entreaties of her sorrowing child, St. Simon Stock, who tells us, "When I, though dust and ashes, poured out my heart before the Lord, and with full confidence, besought my Lady, the Virgin Mary, since she wishes that we the Carmelites should be called her brothers, to show us her power, delivering us from the persecution, and giving us at the same time a public testimony of the solicitude and motherly love which she has for us, my. Sovereign Lady appeared to me, with hosts of angels around her, and having the Scapular in her hand, she thus addressed me, 'This will be the privilege for thee and for all the Carmelites. He who dies wearing it shall not suffer the flames of hell'." These are the words of a saint to whom Carmel owes special veneration and gratitude. He obtained from Our Lady this gift which is a great honor, not only for the order, but also for all Christians, who living in the world, enroll themselves in the Confraternity of Mount Carmel, and who, together with the Carmelite religious of both genders, form Mary's chosen family.

EXAMPLE
The Venerable Lezana narrates that in the city of Palma, there was a young man who, on account of his evil life, was on the verge of despair, and in a moment of anger stabbed himself; but fortunately for him, the dagger struck his Scapular. He made a second attempt with still greater fury, but with the same result, because the Scapular is an invulnerable shield. Then the young man, with great shame, began to reflect on his evil life, and heard the following words, "My son, because of my Scapular, thou shalt not die in mortal sin". The young man thereupon did penance for his sins, and in later years died devoutly.

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
I thank thee, my Lady and Mother! The promise accompanying the gift of thy Scapular is so great that, were it not for thine own word, I could not credit it. It is thy heart, thine arm, thy love and thy power. Thou wilt not permit, Mother, that my soul be lost, nor that my heart be unfaithful to thy Divine Son. Thy maternal love is boundless. Thou knowest well all the dangers that we must overcome in this valley of tears, thou knowest our weakness and our malice, and that the devil seizes every opportunity to drag us to perditoin. But thou art more powerful than the wicked one, whose head is forever crushed by thy heel. We trust in thee, and under thy protection we take refuge. O Holy Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and Blessed Virgin! Amen.

FIFTH DAY

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition).
Amen.

The First Privilege
"Whoever dies wearing piously this Scapular, shall not suffer eternal flames." These are Mary's words. Human ignorance urged on by the malice of the devil, sought to misinterpret this promise of Our Lady by saying that it sufficed to wear the Scapular, and then one might live as one pleased, indulging every passion, without danger to one's salvation, since those who died wearing the Scapular would not suffer the flames of hell. Holy Church, in order to preserve souls from such a pernicious error, added the word, "piously" to Our Lady's promise. This interpretation has given occasion to other erroneous opinions which, though not so blasphemous and injurious to the dignity and maternal love of Mary, belittle the Scapular and her gracious promiise. If the Scapular, indeed, only saves those who die well, there is no reason to praise it overmuch, since the salvation of such is already assured. Such an opinion is contrary to the belief and confidence reposed by all Christians in the Scapular, from the very beginning, neither can it be reconciled with all the miracles performed by Our Lady through her holy Scapular during seven long centuries, miracles wh ich have been acknowledged not only by the Church, but also by the very enemies of the Mother of God, who have been obliged to recognize the supernatural power of the Scapular. The true meaning of Our Lady's promise, "He who dies wearing the holy Scapular will be saved," is that the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Divine grace and Refuge of sinners, will obtain from the Divine Goodness at the moment of their death, true contrition for those who die piously wearing her Scapular, and consequently they will be saved because of it. In like manner are to be explained the pormises of Our Divine Lord in favor of those who are devoted to His Most Sacred Heart. The Scapular is a pledge of predestination. Venerable Claude de la Columbiere of the Society of Jesus, has written these immortal words: "I affirm that there is no more certain sign of our predestination than the holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, and therefore, none which we should esteem so highly and so perseveringly until our death. The Blessed Mother will obtain for us a good end, a happy death, and the vision of God's love and mercy".

EXAMPLE
Rev. Father Teofilo of the Society of Jesus narrates that a soldier of Croatia, having fallen into the hands of his enemies was mortally wounded by them. Making a great effort to speak, he said to them, "Do what you will with me, I am a child of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose Scapular I wear. I shal not die until I have confessed my sins". They left him for dead, but miraculously sustained by Our lady, he walked a distance of three miles to a priest, and having confessed his sins, died a good Christian death.

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
Queen and beauty of Carmel, I kiss thy holy Scapular with the greatest gratitude and profoundest veneration. It reveals to me the goodness of thy pure, maternal heart. Thou dost love us as thine own children, and thou dost ever look upon us with the tenderest mercy. Thy glance is love, hope, and sweetness, of which thy Scapular is but the sign. As the rays of the sun color the flowers, so also thy gaze gives strength to souls to suffer joyfully for God, until they attain everlasting bliss. May I remain ever before thee, my Mother, and do thou turn upon me thine eyes of mercy.Amen.

SIXTH DAY

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

Conditions to be Fulfilled.
We must repeat again the words of the Salve Regina, "Our Sweetness and our Hope". Ah, yes, Mary is all sweetness to her children, all hope and mercy to those who wear her holy Scapular. Mary has given herself fully to us, and what does she ask in return for the gift of her heart, her power, her all? Venerable Claude de la Colombiere speaks again, "Christian souls, if, to secure for you the riches of heaven, Mary would ask of you all that you possess; if, in return for assuming the responsibility of your perseverance, she exacted from you all that her most zealous servants have done in her honor; if, instead of a little Scapular, she offered you sackcloth, would you hesitate to receive it? On the contrary, would you not take it eagerly? Would you not embrace that precious pledge of your eternal happiness? Is it not true that you would faithfully execute her commands not to endanger your soul's salvation?" Behold, then, the holy Scapular! You have but to accept it form your Mother's hands. If you clothe yourself with it, the Queen of heaven and earth, your Mother, the Mother of your God, assures you of your eternal salvation. One condition alone is necessary, receive the holy Scapular from a priest empowered to confer it, and wear it constantly on your person until death. Do you not find easy the way of your eternal salvation through the holy Scapular? Is not your heart overflowing with joy and gratitude to your dear Mother for this wonderful gift which assures your salvation? Will you not show your gratitude to Mary by remembering her often and especially saluting her with praise whenever you hear the clock strike? Repeat these words: Praised and blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, and the hour in which she gave the holy Scapular to St. Simon Stock! Will you not visit this dear Mother at least once a week, and thank her with all your heart for having given you the holy Scapular? Ah, yes, undoubtedly you will wish to spend at least fifteen minutes at the feet of your most cherished Mother!

EXAMPLE
Anna Mary, the daughter of a rich merchant of Toulouse, fell dangerously ill. Her parents made a vow, if she were cured, to enroll their dear daughter in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel. Within a few hours the child was completely restored to health. But her parents neglected to accomplish their promise, and the child had a very grave relapse. Her illness was so serious that they despaired of her life. It was then her parents recalling the vow they had made, summoned the priest, and were invested in the holy Scapular together with their child. Wonder of wonders! The sick child was instantly cured!

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
O my Mother, I am ashamed of my ingratitude whenever I recall thy immense goodness in having given thy holy Scapular to me. Thy gift could not be greater, for with it, thou hast given thy heart and all thy treasures. And I, what have I given to thee in return? What return have I made for such bounty? How have I worn thy holy Scapular? With coldness and sinful indifference, my Mother! Perhaps, alas, I have even stained it with my sins! Forgive me, most holy Virgin, forgive me, thou Queen of purity. I shall nevermore dishonour it! With thy help, I promise hereafter to wear it with the greatest reverence and love.Amen.

SEVENTH DAY

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

The Second Privilege
Blessed be thou, Queen of sweet hope, glory to thee, beauty of Carmel! Let the Angels praise thee, and let men bless thee, and let every heart love thee, because thou art good above all other created goodness, a mother tender and sweet above all other mothers! The Blessed Virgin has lavished graces and favors without number to insure the salvation of her children, but the most compassionate and wonderful of all is that known as the Sabbatine Privilege. About fifty years after the apparition of the Blesssed Virgin to St. Simon Stock, she appeared to Pope John XXII, and promised him that "she would assist and console the children of Carmel detained in Purgatory and also speedily release them on the first Saturday after death". This means that she will deliver the souls of all those who die clothed in the holy Scapular, on the first Saturday after their death, descending herself to Purgatory or sending her holy angels to release them. Let us remark that this promise of the Blessed Virgin is not limited to Saturday, only, but, as the decree of Paul V expressses it,"especially on Saturday". Holy Church, in the Office of Our lady of Mount Carmel, says that Mary will deliver her children as quickly as possible. This privilege, which honors the Order of Carmel so highly, had to suffer bitter persecution before its truth was accepted. Captious and narrow-minded men who would measure the bounty of Heaven by their own selfish hearts, strenuously opposed it. Wretched men! How can you understand a mother's heart, or sound the unfathomable depths of Mary's goodness? Picture the excruciating torments of Purgatory! The Holy souls can do nothing to help themselves, their sufferings can be relieved only by others and those souls have a tender Mother who sees their pain. This mother is Mary, and by grace, Mary is all- powerful to aid them. How can you doubt the Sabbatine Privilege, whose authenticity has been approved and confirmed by no less than six Popes, and accepted by the Church in the solemn Office of Our Lady of Mount Carmel?

EXAMPLE
The Venerable Francis de Yepes, brother of St. John of the Cross, shortly after the death of his beloved wife, felt great anxiety concerning her soul. She, like himself, was a member of the Third Order of Mount Carmel. Our Blessed Lady, appearing to him, said, "After two days and three nights of suffering, today, Saturday, you wife's soul has been delivered by me from Purgatory, and she now enjoys heavenly bliss".

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
Most loving Virgin of Carmel, prostrate at thy feet, I acknowledge, with heartfelt gratitude, thine immense goodness to me. Thou hast left nothing undone in favor of the Carmelites, including the members of thy Confrternity. During life, thou dost protect them. Thou dost succour them in their agony. And, desecnding to Purgatory, thou dost solace their gain, leading them to Heaven the first Saturday after their death! O merciful Queen, may I merit this privilege! Let me be faithful to divine grace, and do not permit that so much mercy and love be bestowed on me in vain! May I merit thy protection during life, and obtain thine assistance in Purgatory, that I may the sooner praise and bless thee forever in heaven! Amen.

EIGHTH DAY

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

The Blessed Virgin's Habit
We read these consoling words in the Office of Our lady of Mount Carmel: 'The Mother of God hath clothed us with clothing of salvation. Ah, yes, the Scapular is Mary's habit, brought to us by her from Heaven. It is not the pious invention of a devout soul, but the work of Mary's loving hands. It is the pledge of innumerable graces. It is the emblem of wonderful privileges. Therefore we should wear it with the greatest reverence, gratitude and devotion. How highly men of the world prize a decoration of honor! How proudly a subject wears the medals of his king on his breast! What is the Scapular, but the distinctive mark of honor with which the Queen of heaven decks her faithful servants, the insignia bestowed upon her beloved children, the token of her most constant and loving heart? Ah, yes, if our hearts are not of stone, we will see in the Scapular not merely a piece of cloth, nor a simple token of our Mother's remembrance, but it will reveal to us the heart of our Mother which loves us, the glance of our Mother that follows us, the power of our Mother which protects us. The Scapular means all this to a loving child. In temptation, pressing the Scapular to her heart, Mary's child beseeches her with tears, "O my Mother, do not forsake me!" The heart, crushed by the weight of bitter misfortune and tribulation, books at the Scapular, and cries to Our Lady, "Help me, save me, O Mother of mercy!" The dying man, at the last terrible moment taking the Scapular in his hands, kisses it, and wets it with his tears, while through it two hearts, speak--the dying man cries to his Mother, "Forsake me not!" and Mary answers, "I am here, I bless thee, I receive thy soul, fear not!" Thus assured, the dyimg man peacefully expires.'

EXAMPLE
In the Church of the Jesuit College at Rio de Janeiro, a woman was buried in the holy Scapular, which in that place was held in low esteem. Six years later, the grave was opened to bury her husband. Nothing was found of the woman's body, save her bones, but her Scapular was intact and perfectly new. This case was examined by the Bishop of the city, who recognized the miraculous preservation of the Scapular.

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
O Mother of Carmel, when my last hour shall sound, that hour of sadness and dismay, when my sight fails, and my spirit, full of fear and anxiety, has to appear before the Judgement-seat of God, do not abandon me! When I take thy holy Scapular into my trembling hands, fill my heart with confidence in it, and do thou, my loving Mother, receive my soul, and offer it to thy sweet Jesus. Amen.

NINTH DAY

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.

The Power of Our Lady
Holy Church tells us that the vesture of Mary is beauty and strength, Fortitudo et decor indumentum ejus. "The Scapular is the garment of Mary, beautiful and strong". Who can prevail against Mary! Who is like Mary! She is omnipotent by grace, and he who dies clothed in her livery shall never perish. The Scapular is the sign of predestination, and like the hand of Our Lady, sweetly and strongly bears souls to heaven. It is Mary's seal. Found on the hearts of Christians, it makes them her property. It is the mark of the covenant and alliance between Mary and men. The dying soul will call on her, and she will hear and hasten to its defense. It will confide its sorrows and pains to her, and she will bring relief. Mary will bless the soul bearing this seal. We must exclaim with the venerable Carmelite, Sister Isabel of Jesus, "O my God, how precious a relic, and how great a consolation to wear this holy Scapular over my heart ! O my Lady and my Mother, from how many dangers has thy holy Scapular not saved us!" The holy Scapular also beautifies the soul, for the Scapular produces in the hearts of those who wear it the same results that light effects upon material objects. As the rays of the sun shed light and warmth upon all creation, and give life and fruit to plants and flowers, so also the holy Scapular enlightens souls, revises their faith, warms their hearts to the practice of virtue, and accompanies them to heaven, there to produce eternal fruit for the glory of God.

EXAMPLE
Father Teofilo Renaldo of the Society of Jesus relates a most wonderful miracle wrought through the holy Scapular. in the year 1626, during the war in Lombardy, a bullet struck the Scapular that Sir Cuge wore. Both the bullet and the cloth of the Scapular entered his heart so that it was impossible for him to live. But, in reward for his great faith and confidence, Mary obtained the miraculous preservation of his life for three days, during which time he prepared himself for a happy death. The miracle was so striking that the Duke of Savoy, Victor Amadeus, summoned the Archbishop of Turin, and had the case examined and certified as a wonder-work of the holy Scapular.

Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine,
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favors grant ever,
Star of the Sea.

PRAYER
O my Mother of Carmel, prostrate at thy feet, I render thee most humble thanks for the holy Scapular which thou has given me with such motherly love! Thy holy Scapular is balm for the suffering soul, or light in tribulations, consolation to the dying, and the pledge of our eternal salvation. How can I prove my gratitude for so much goodness? From this day forward, I shall strive to make thee known to all men. My Mother, receive my heart and my life! My love is and will be forever thine, first here upon earth, and afterwards, for all eternity in Heaven! Amen.

THANKSGIVING TO OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL FOR ANSWERING NOVENA PRAYER:

Thank you my Blessed Mother for answering my prayer. I always go to you because you have never failed me. When the situation seems so hopeless you are there for me. All my blessings are from you and my sweet Jesus. Thank you my Mother in heaven for your love and mercy. Jane Cicchitto

Thank you Most Blessed Virgin. You showed yourself my Mother and I thank you for helping me in the most difficult period of my life. Thank you for your prayers, intercession and help and for answering my petitions. Please keep your loving eye on me! JP

Thks for answering my prayer, i am forever grateful for so much blessings showered from you daily and from Jesus Christ. Love RH

Blessed Mother, I know that you know that this is all for you. And I know that no one who turns to you is ever left unaided. Thank you in advance for your prayers, assistance, love, and guidance, in my project and in my life. This is all for you and your beloved Son, our Lord. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayers.
Diana von Glahn - The Faithful Traveler from www.thefaithfultraveler.com 8/11/08

Our dearest Mother, thank you so much. I know that you will always guide us and give us the blessings we all pray for. I love you my dearest Mother Mary with all my heart - your loving daughter, maria ramirez
10/25/09

Thank you O Most Holy Virgin Mary, for interceding for me. Thank you for your son Jesus. Thank your for always being there for me, through ups and downs. I know I’m going through what i’m experiencing now for a reason. With you by my side, nothing is impossible. Thank you for helping me become closer to You, your Son, and God. I will always and forever be thankful to you for granting my prayers, but most especially thankful for all the blessings that you so generously shower upon me. I believe in you. I trust in you. I love you. - MCSA

Thank you Most Blessed Mother of Our King, Lord Jesus and Mother of Carmelites for listening to my prayers and for graces received, JP

15/7/10

" Thank you Holy Mother for answering my prayers and petition's now and always. Thank you for your love and consonant protection, please pray for us and help is to live as your son our Lord wants us to and bless us in all our needs."
Nicole
30th of August 2010

O Mary my Mother, I thank you for answering my prayer and for so many graces received. I trust in you, Jolanta
15th July, 2011

Oh Mother Mary, here i am again, thanking you for yet ANOTHER favor granted for my daughter and her new husband (!!!). You never never fail. And if you are responsible (and i think you are!) for my friend's pregnancy, i am humbled. Because THAT was a big one! Thank you, mother. Please tell my mom hello and I am sorry...tb
18th July, 2011

Carmelites and the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2010-07-20T22:43:00.004+01:00

The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families...that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary - Sister Maria Lucía of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, O.C.D.

It is well known that Saint Teresa of Jesus prayed the Rosary daily. It is believed that while she was traveling throughout Spain, she enjoyed the hospitality of at least one Brigittine Monastery, and from the Brigittines, learned to say their six-decade Rosary. The six-decade Rosary was later adopted as the Rosary of the Discalced Carmelite habit, with a large medal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in addition to, or even in place of, the crucifix found on the Dominican Rosary. Only six of the eighteen decades are worn, as opposed to the entire fifteen decades of the Dominican Rosary, worn with the religious habits of some other Orders.

The Brigittine (or "Saint Bridget") Rosary looks similar to a regular Rosary, but with an extra decade. The resultant seven Pater beads honor the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the sixty-three Ave Maria beads commemorate the sixty-three years it is believed the Blessed Mother lived on this earth before her Assumption. In praying the Brigittine Rosary, there are a total of eighteen decades: In the six Joyful Mysteries, the first is the Immaculate Conception; the sixth of the Sorrowful Mysteries commemorates when the Body of the Lord was placed in the Arms of His Sorrowful Mother; and the sixth of the Glorious Mysteries is recited in honor of the Patronage of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace (and, for the Carmelite, Mary, Queen and Beauty of Carmel). The other mysteries are the same as in the Dominican Rosary. However, at the end of each decade, the Apostles Creed, not the Glory be, is recited." --Fr. Boyd

credit: Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, East Harlem, NY

2010-07-10T12:06:00.003+01:00

Today is commemoration day of the coronation of statue of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in the shrine in NY by Papal Nuncio in 1904. Click for link: HERE. Link to the previous post and video HERE

MATER BONI CONSILII, MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL, PRAY FOR US!

2010-04-17T13:50:00.005+01:00

Counsel and equity is mine (Prov 8, 14)

Her thoughts are most vast than the sea, and her counsels more deep than the great ocean (Ecclus 24:3)

She is easily seen by those that love her, and is found by them that seek her (Wisd 6:13)

Although good counsel has always been necessary, and Our Lady has for many centuries been invoked and honoured by the faithful as the Mother of Good Counsel, it has been reserved for the twentieth century to see that title added by the Supreme Pastor of the universal Church to the Litany so dear to every Catholic heart. It is perhaps because of evil counsels, and wrong views, and the spirit of worldliness are everywhere prevalent, that our Lady is put before us as a good and wise counselor, to whom it would be well to have recourse before settling any grave and weighty matter; that we may ascertain what are her thoughts on the subject, "for her thoughts are more vast than the sea," and her knowledge of things, past, present and to come, far exceeds ours. If we only ask her, she will help us to avoid dangers and point out to us hidden rocks on which our vessel would surely founder unless we took this or that precaution. We know there is plenty of advice to be had in this world. People give it right and left, and often on matters they but little understand. The emissaries of Satan are ever on the outlook to lead the unwary into dangerous paths, and our own self-reliance and natural impetuosity make us impatient of seeking the opinions of the wise and experienced, which perhaps a secret prompting tells us would not be altogether in accordance with our wishes. And so we rush on heedlessly, taking the advice only of those whose views square with our own, and who perhaps are only flattering us, not caring what may result from our course of action, or even urging us on to it with a secret view to their own advantage in some way. How many lives have been wrecked and prospects ruined, homes rendered miserable through acting precipitately and not asking counsel! Nor must we who are Catholics, professing to place things eternal before those merely temporal, be satisfied always with seeking the advice of the worldly-wise, of the 'children of this generation,' as our Lord called them, as if to draw attention to their looking only to what is to their advantage during this mortal life. We must strive to see what will be best for our eternal interests; we must not only be anxious to have clever advice, but that it be good and sound before God. So let us have recourse to our sweet Mother of Good Counsel, whose divine Son, the Infinite Wisdom, has His little arms twined round her neck, and His mouth placed close to her ear, ready to whisper the words that she will pass on to her trustful clients who look to her for guidance in their affairs, whether spiritual or temporal. Not only is she always ready to receive those who need her, but we learn in the book of Wisdom that "she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her," such, that is, who are not too headstrong and self-willed to be counselled and advised, and "she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways." (Wisd 6) "He that considereth her ways in his heart, and hath understanding in her secrets, who goeth after as one that traceth and stayeth in her ways...shall rest in her glory."(Ecclus 14).

Yet, even those who are well established in the ways of God, those already possessed of spiritual understanding, feel their need of our Lady of Good Counsel. For those so enlightened as to be always sure which of many good things is the best? Who is not at times puzzled as to which of two courses it would be better and safer to pursue? Let such have recourse to our Lady and say: "Good counsel give to me, Mother; tell me what I am to do." She is our Lady of Light, the spouse of the Holy Ghost, one of whose seven gifts is that which we are seeking. Those especially who have themselves to guide and advise others have, more than any, need of humble, childlike prayer to our blessed Mother under the title we are considering, and in this the supreme Pontiffs have again and again set a striking example. The gifts and privileges granted by them to the Sanctuary of the Madonna at Genezzano are sufficient testimony of this. And were we to go no further back in history than to our two illustrious Popes, we should find in their lives touching proofs of the earnestness with which they sought light and guidance in their responsible office at the feet of our Lady of Good Counsel. Pius IX, following in this the footsteps of his predecessors, used to gather his household daily round her picture for the devotions of the month of May, and one of the last acts of the reign of our late holy Father was to add the title he so loved to the universally used Litany of Loreto. Let us imitate this spirit of confidence in Mary, and let us remember what is written in Ecclesiasticus: "He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent nigh unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodgings for ever. He shall set his children under her shelter and shall lodge under her branches: he shall be protected under her covering from the heat and shall rest in her glory."(Ecclus 14) Yes, Mother mine, that is where I would fain dwell, close to thee, so that at all times thou canst counsel and advise me, and thus in the passage through life i may act with wisdom, and not miss the "good things" in the home eternal.

Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us.

ORA PRO NOBIS, SANCTA DEI GENITRIX - PRAY FOR US, O HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!

2010-04-10T08:58:00.000+01:00

Now, therefore, pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one fearing God. (Judith 8:29)

And who knoweth if thou art not therefore come to the kingdom that thou mightest be ready for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

My daughter, I will seek rest for thee and will provide that it may be well with thee. (Ruth 3:1)

And the King arose to meet her...and a throne was set for the King's Mother, and she sat on His right hand.

And she said to Him: I desire one small petition of Thee, do not put me to confusion.

And the King said to her: My Mother ask: for I must not turn away thy face (3Kings 2:19, 20). What does thou desire should be given thee, and for what things askest thou? ALthough thou shouldst ask the half of my kingdom thou shalt have it. (Esther 5:6)

"Pray for us, O holy Mother of God". All through this Litany we have been reiterating the words, "Pray for us". After each endearing title applied to our Blessed Lady they have come as the refrain. And now, reversing the order, we start with them as much freshness and ardour as if we had never said them before, adn attaching to them a title, which we have made use, the very second on the list, "Holy Mother of God." Why we have selected that particular for repetition? It is not difficult to respond to that question. It is not because she is that which which we say, the very Mother of God Himself, that we so beseech and importune her to plead for us to the Most High? Is it not that very prerogative that gives her the power to help us? St Bernard says: "She hath wherewith to boast, not in itself that she is Mother, but in that He whom she bore was her Son." And St Athanasius, addressing our Lady, cries out: "it becomes thee, as being Mother of God, Queen, Lady and Mistress, for the sake of the King, Lord, God and Master, born of thee, to be mindful of us, as thou standest by Him who.....grants thee all grace, as though full of all joy on account of the coming of the Holy Ghost upon thee. Wherefore all the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance (Ps 44) enriched with such things, and ...we cry to thee: Be mindful of us, most holy Virgin, and grant to us for these small words great gifts from the riches of thy graces, O thou full of grace." (Orat. in Deip. Annunt.)

And can we not turn to her lovingly and say confidingly, when we see her with her divine offspring in her arms: "Behold, He is in thy hands: it is not lawful for the King to deny thee anything?" So, sweet Mother, we ask boldly, and repeat all the petitions we have made throughout this Litany. The desires of our heart are before thee, and their inmost groaning is not hidden from thee. Remember us when it is well with thee, and it is always well with thee, for the Lord is ever with thee. Turn not then, a deaf ear to our prayers, but in thy mercy hear and answer them. In our early years, in mid life, when our course is nearing its term, O Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Plead with thy divine Son, by His love for His eternal Father, by His love for thee His holy Mother, by the love of His Heart for souls, to grant our request, especially the one for grace to love Him with our whole hearts. Let us cry out with St Augustine: "O blessed Mary...let our supplications come into thy hallowed presence, and give us in return the remedies for our diseases"; and with St Bernard: "Let us embrace the footsteps of Mary and cast ourselves with the earnest entreaties at her blessed feet; let us hold her, and let her not go except she bless us, for she is able." (St Bernard, Sermon on Apoc.)

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

Truly, a Sword Has Pierced Your Heart!

2010-04-03T08:02:00.001+01:00

Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son. Indeed, after your Jesus - who belongs to everyone, but is especially yours - gave up his life, the cruel spear, which was not withheld from his lifeless body, tore open his side. Clearly it did not touch his soul and could not harm him, but it did pierce your heart. For surely his soul was no longer there, but yours could not be torn away. Thus the violence of sorrow has cut through your heart, and we rightly call you more than martyr, since the effect of compassion in you has gone beyond the endurance of physical suffering.

Perhaps someone will say: "Had she not known before that he would die?" Undoubtedly. "Did she not expect him to rise again at once?" Surely. "And still she grieved over her crucified Son?" Intensely. Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary's Son? For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit? He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his. (St Bernard of Clairvaux 'Sermo in dom. infra oct. Assumptionis, 14,15).

After 'A Moment with Mary'

FILI REDEMPTOR MUNDI DEUS, MISERERE NOBIS! - God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us!

2010-04-02T21:19:00.002+01:00

Juan Martinez Montanes 'Cristo de los Calices' - Seville Cathedral

I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and for the multitude of His good things to the house of Israel, which he hath given them according to His kindness, and according to the multitude of His mercies. And He said: Surely they are my people, children that will not deny - so He became their Saviour....And in His mercy He redeemed them, and He carried them and lifted them up. (Isa 63:7-9)

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us.

Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, and called thee by thy name, thou art Mine. (Isa 63:1)

'Thou art Mine'. WHAT a ring of triumph in those words. Do we take in their meaning? Do we grasp the truth that God really cares for us, our welfare, our safety? Have we meditated, pondered on, saturated our minds with the mystery of the Incarnation and the unfathomable oceans of divine love therein revealed? - that love which so thirsted for our salvation that the Second Person of the Holy Trinity Himself undertook the task of paying our debts and delivering us from hell, at what cost to Himself we all know, but His generous heart counts it but little, if so He can secure our eternal happiness. We can understand St Paul reckoning all things as dung to gain Jesus Christ, for the "all things" of which he spoke were but finite and temporal, and what he hoped to possess instead was infinite and eternal; but that our Lord should leave His heavenly home and cast aside his splendour and magnificence, to say nothing of all He suffered, to gain us, miserable little worms of the earth, is past mere human comprehension. And having paid the price, He cries out joyously, "Thou art Mine," as though he had secured a great treasure. Does He always find a corresponding joy on our side, or is it a cold freezing look that meets His, as if we cared but little for all He has done for us and the priceless privilege of being His? Do we respond enthusiastically, "Yes, Lord, I am Thine, Thine in time and eternity, " or do we make Him feel that we had almost rather He had let us alone to perish in our sins and misery? What would be the feelings of a general who had fought his way through countless perils to rescue a beleaguered city, if he found the inhabitants had made league with the enemy, and resented his efforts on their behalf as an unwarrantable intrusion? How often is our Lord made to feel that the creatures He loves so dearly do not appreciate the ransom He offers them, that they scorn and make light of the Precious Blood He shed so copiously to save them, and persistently set their feet on to the broad road that leads to the everlasting woe from which He redeemed them? Did they but meditate on His personal love for them, on the thought "He loved me and delivered Himself for me," how differently would many act! Father Tyrrell expresses this truth so beautifully and forcibly that we cannot refrain from giving a somewhat lengthy extract from one of his writings which bears on this point: "As long as our mind is filled with some distorted, abstract, half-true notion of the complete self-sufficingness of God, as long as our puerile imaginings picture Him as merely benevolent and patronizing in our regard, as offering us 'the alms of His benefits, but caring little whether we accept or decline them, until we receive and believe, without understanding or reconciling it with His self-sufficinigness, the mystery of God's dependence and indigence, love will but slumber in our heart as fire in the cold, hard flint, till struck from it by the steel. But let us once look upon the love-worn face of the Man of Sorrows, and read in its lines, its tear-stains and blood-stains, the record of the ravages of divine love, pent up and compressed within the narrow walls of a finite heart; let us but see in Him the Spouse of man's thoughtless, thankless soul, coming to us in beggary, poor, naked, hungry and thirsty, to be enriched and clothed, and fed and refreshed by our love: ley us but hear Him as He knocks at our hearts' portal and cries, 'Open to Me, My sister, My spouse, for My hair is drenched with the dew, and My locks with the night rain'; let us but realize that in very deed our God wants us, pines for us, hungers and thirsts for us, and lo! we have passed from death unto life, from twilight to noonday, we have found a key to the seeming extravagance, the follies, the delirium, the reckless prodigalities of the Saints, to whom not to suffer was to die." (Hard Sayings)

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

REGINA CONFESSORUM, QUEEN OF CONFESSORS - PRAY FOR US!

2010-03-27T08:42:00.003Z

She maketh the friends of God (Wisd 7:27)

He that looketh upon her shall remain secure.If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance. For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him. She will bring upon him fear, and dread and trial, and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul. The she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him and give him joy. And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding, (Ecclus 4:16, 21) and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name. (Ecclus 15:6)

"She is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use become the friends of God." "They that use". How can we use Mary? Firstly, as our mother, our confidant, our truest friend, turning to her with the loving trust of a child in all our needs. Going this we shall become dear to her Son, for "God loveth them that love her". Secondly, we can use hes as our model. By first studying and then copying her, we shall attain to some faint degree of imitation, and so become less unfit to be called the friends of God. "I have not called you servants, I have called you friends," Our Lord said to His disciples, and we know His first act after they attached themselves to Him at the beginning of His public life was to introduce them to His blessed Mother at the marriage of Cana; and that they might know her better, they all went together with her to Capharnaum for some days, where those rough unlettered fishermen had an opportunity of studying more at leisure the gentle, unselfish, refined ways of her whose "ways were beautiful ways," of her who from that time forth was to be to them as a mother, adviser and helper. Thirdly, we can use Mary as a refuge. There are times when we all have need of such times - when we have grieved the Heart of God, and, unable to face the pained look of His sacred countenance, we bury ours in His Mother's lap, begging her to plead for us, and by her love to make up to Him for what we have caused Him to suffer. The saints of God, his holy confessors, have all made use of our Lady in these three ways. St Bernard's love of his heavenly Queen is too well known to need comment, as is also that of St Dominic, whose name will ever be associated with her Rosary. St Ignatius, even in the early days of his conversion, was full of enthusiastic, chivalrous devotion to Mary Immaculate, a devotion shared in a high degree by many of his spiritual sons, such as St Aloysius, St Stanislaus, St John Berchmans. St Philip Neri had her name constantly on his lips, while his little exhortation, "Love Mary, be devout to Mary," bore untold fruit in the hearts of his hearers.

Let us therefore use Mary as the saints have done, and beg her unceasingly to make us, as she made them, the friends of God.

Queen of Confessors, pray for us.

Devotional picture representing Mary, Queen of Confessors, depicts her queenly figure adorned with scepter and crown. Mary is sitting on a throne of clouds surrounded by sumptuous drapery held by two little angels. At her feet are kneeling several bishops and a king, looking up in admiration or down with awe and reverence. Two figures attract special attention. One of them seems to be wearing the habit of the Dominicans, probably Saint Dominic; he offers a crown or wreath of roses. The other figure, in simple and monk-like attire, could be Saint Francis.

The representation is inspired by Revelation 4:10, "They fell down before the one on the throne and threw down their crowns." (Picture and description after:

Mary's Pages)

Consolatrix Afflictorum, Comfort of the Afflicted - Pray for us

2010-03-20T07:37:00.001Z

Consolatrix afflictorum - miraculous image of Our Lady of Kevalear

Be of good comfort, my children; cry to the Lord and He will deliver you. (Bar. 4:21)

My delicate ones have walked rough ways (Bar. 4:26)
Be of good comfort my children....for as the neighbours of Sion have seen your captivity from God, so shall they also shortly see your salvation from God, which shall come upon you with great honour and everlasting glory.
My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you....for He that hath brought evils upon you shall bring you everlasting joy again with your salvation (Bar. 4: 21, 24, 25, 29)

We all have afflictions, and for that reason this land of exile is termed a valley of tears. The happiest and most light-hearted will sooner or later have trouble and care. Oftentimes those who seem to have the least to bear have the most, for it is not always external trials that weight the heaviest on the heart. And we often have to endure our sufferings in silence for want of any one who can enter into and understand them; for to speak of them to unsympathetic ears only adds to the poignancy of our grief. In such straits where shall we turn if not to her who is the consoler of the afflicted? Whatever may be the cause of our sorrows, it will not be beneath her notice, for our Mother's heart is, above all, a compassionate...Let us go to Mary and reveal to her all that is in our hearts, telling her our troubles in a simple, childlike way, and through the rent made by the cruel sword place them in hers. it is large enough for them all. for great as the sea was her affliction. Our trials may come from others - we may be ill-treated, wronged, misunderstood; or from fortune - poverty and want may be our share; or from ourselves - oftentimes our own character, tempers, humours, are our greatest affliction; or again they may come to us through the sorrows of those we love. Be they what may, tell them to Mary; but surely, if there be one more than another that she can sympathize with, it will be this last. Was not compassion for her Son that pierced her heart? Let her be our refuge in grief. Let us say with the wise man: "I took her to live with me, knowing she would be a comfort in my cares and griefs." Our Lady will not only listen to us, but will help us is we let her. She will often show us, though with the utmost gentleness, that what seems a misfortune is in reality a blessing. If we have lost riches, she will let us see they might have proved a snare to our souls. If a friend is taken from us by death, she will whisper that Jesus covets the place in our hearts which that friend once occupied. If ill-health be our lot, she will lead us to recognize that it cuts us off from many dangerous pleasures and amusements; and in this way we shall become so consoled by her that we may end by positively rejoicing over those things which cause our tears. But there is one grief, Mother mine, which even thou must find difficult to assuage. How comfort those who mourn and weep that Jesus. their beloved, is hated without cause? Useless to bid them cease, for who could do so when the dearest of all who are dear to them is being mocked, ridiculed, driven from the hearts of men, nay, even crucified afresh, and that not once, but many times as there are mortal sins committed in a day? Yet even in this, the grief of griefs, she can whisper words of consolation, even amidst her own tears - for did not her seven swords of sorrow springs from the same source, and did she not realize this more than all the lovers of Jesus put together? - and remind such souls that he had said: "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." For one day they will see that all these things will in the end redound to His greater glory, as showing forth the unspeakable love of that Sacred Heart shich, knowing what was before Him and all that would come upon Him, with full deliberation left His heavenly home and braved it all for the sake of rescuing from eternal misery those who were willing to listen to His voice and yield Him their hearts. Our heavenly Mother will teach such souls that, while mourning that he is hated without cause, they can also, at the same time, rejoice in the thought that He is infinitely good.
But there is yet another realm than earth where Mary exercises her power as comforter of the afflicted, and that is in purgatory. Oh, how those poor prisoners must welcome the sight of their august Queen, when from time to time she visits them, bringing consolation and renewed hope in her train! And what can she say to ease these sufferings, the greatest of which must be that of seeing how we have wasted our substance - the many graces bestowed on us - and disappointed the Sacred Heart by not attaining to that perfection and to that degree of glory which He had planned for us, and for which He gave us the means? Well, she can comfort them by putting before them that at any rate their present sufferings will make at least some atonement for the past, and thus they will learn some even to love those grievous torments; while those whose chief pain consists in the sense of loss will be reminded that compared with eternity their sojourn is not for long, and that soon they will be joined to the happy throngs awaiting them in the heavenly kingdom. "Be of good comfort, my children....for as the neighbours of Sion [your eternal home] have now seen your captivity from God, so shall come up you with great honour and everlasting glory." (Bar 4).
But Mary will have more than words to offer these suffering exiles. Can we think she will ever visit them without bringing a royal pardon for many of their number who will follow joyously in her train, speeding aloft towards Him whom they love and to whom their whole beings craves to be united?
And cannot we share in great measures our Mother's office of "Consolatrix Afflictorum"? Surely yes. Let us put self aside and enter lovingly into the sorrows of those around us, consoling, comforting and sympathizing with every form of suffering, no matter whence its source. Be it they have brought it on their own heads, that is no reason for hardening our hearts. Self-condemnation is one of the bitterest forms of trial; let us not add to it by our censoriousness. Who has appointed us to judge over them?
Then again for the souls in purgatory we can do most real work. Has not holy Church placed in our heands the means of paying their debts, giving us they key of the treasury of the Precious Blood, which on easy conditions we can sprinkle broadcast into the fierce flames, assuaging their heat and releasing their prisoners?
Here indeed we can be co-operators with our Mother Mary. Not a day passes but we can put a treasure into the hands with which to ransom those beloved one of God, many of whom we may have known in life, and who must often wonder at our not exerting ourselves more to obtain their release. Could time be better spent than freeing these holy prisoners who will bring immediate glory to God by their praise of Him, and who will surely in their turn not forget us, but will plead our cause before "the great white throne," when our time comes to pay the penalty of our neglect of grace?
Finally.before leaving our Mother Mary, whom we have considering under so sweet and consoling an aspect as that of a universal consoler, let us call to mind that she was privileged to be the comforter of God Himself. Did she not share the griefs of her divine Son, the Man of Sorrows, and by her deep sympathy bring consolation to His Sacred Heart, from Its first pangs of disappointed love in the cave at Bethlehem, when It realized that the creatures for whom He was prepared to do so much cared naught for Him, to Its last sigh on the cross they had prepared for Him? And how she longs for us to imitate her in this loving compassion for the sorrows of the Sacred Heart! "Comfort Him, all you who are round about Him," she whispers; and Jesus, when He sees us approach Him, more full of His griefs and wrongs than our own, will recognize us as true children of Mary, and virtue will go out from Him into our souls, and we shall become more truly His friends than we have hitherto been, for in times of common sorrow hearts become knit together by strong and lasting lies.

Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.

Auxilium Christianorum, Help of Christians - pray for us

2010-03-13T09:54:00.001Z

Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; Love her, and she shall preserve thee (Prov 4).

I love them that love me, and they that in the morning early watch for me shall find me. With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice (Prov 8:17-18).

She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor (Prov 31: 20).
Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her and she shall preserve thee...Take hold on her, and she exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified by her when thou shalt embrace her: she give to thy head increase of graces, and protect thee with a noble crown (Prov 4: 8,9).

"O BLESSED MARY", cried St Augustine, "who is able enough to praise and to thank thee - thee who by once saying, 'Be it done unto me,' hast arisen to help a lost world?" I suppose we may take it that Mary was the first Christian. True, the word was not in use during our Lord's lifetime, but she was undoubtedly the first to welcome Him to earth and to attach herself for ever to His service. And what was her first impulse after this act of loving adoration and devotedness? She set out at once, "in haste", the Gospel tells us, to help an aged relative, the very sound of her voice enabling the infant Baptist and his holy mother to recognize that the Lord's Anointed, the Christ, had at last visited this sinful world; and they joined their praise and adoration to hers. Later, when our Lord first gathered to Him a little band of disciples, and they were brought into His Mother's presence, what did she? Again she began by desiring to help others. "They have no wine," she said, in her kind thoughtfulness. And what was the result? another miracle, which, we read, caused Jesus' disciples to believe in Him. And so it has ever been, and ever will be.

If we find Mary, she will lead us to her divine Son, and say to us: "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye"; "If you love Him keep His commandments." Truly, "she is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use become the friends of God." (Wisdom 7). What a help our Lady was to the Apostles and early Christians, after the Ascension of our Lord, by her wise counsels, her holy example, and, above all, by her fervent intercession! For if the "continual prayer of a just man availeth much," as we read in Holy Scripture it does, how much more efficacious is the prayer of the Mother of God! We know that King Solomon gave to the Queen of Saba all she asked, besides much from His royal bounty. What therefore, will not He who, as He Himself said, is greater than Solomon, do for the Queen of Heaven who is also His Mother? For if Mary's prayer was all-powereful when on earth, no less so is it now when she pleads for her children scattered all over the face of the earth, whom she loves with a love all her own. After Jesus no one loves us as Mary does, for she, more than any other, realizes the worth of a soul, and moreover, her heart, being greater than that of any other mere mortal, has a greater capacity for loving. Let us then cry to her in all our needs. she is our Lady of Perpetual Succour, ever ready, ever at hand to hear and help us. As children turn to their Mother instinctively in every trouble, so let us turn to Mary. No matter what befalls us, if we run to her confidingly and shelter ourselves under her mantle, all will be well. Let us apply to our attitude towards her the words of Dante, who writes: "Astounded, to the guardian of my steps I turned me, like the child who always runs for succour where he trusteth most." Nor can we doubt Mary's power to help us any more than her good will. If King Solomon rose to show his mother reverence when she entered, causing a throne to be set for her beside his own, and saying with the utmost deference when she proffered a request, "My mother, ask, for I must not turn away thy face," what will not our Lord and Master do, He who implanted in the heart of the wise king these beatiful virtues of filial love and reverence? We have seen that at the marriage feast He could not resist even the slightest indication of His Mother's wishes, though, as He said, His appointed hour for working miracles had not yet come, and the matter was only the supply of a temporal, passing need. How much more readily will He grant her request when she pleads for a fresh supply of grace for her clients, or begs for them a new wedding garment, when like careless children, they have spoilt their first one! Still more eagerly will he respond to her desires when she lays before Him the necessities of souls who are labouring for His glory, who are in trouble and distress because they do not yet see the perfect fulfillment of that prophecy of David: "All the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea." What vast tracts of inhibited land there are still which have not had more than a mere sprinkling of that knowledge; and how we should beg our Lady, Help of Christian, to obtain that, when these few drops do spread, the knowledge they convey may be accompanied by love! For of what avail would it be for the nations to know Jesus if that knowledge only brought hatred, as it did to the Pharisees, and as we see is the case in many civilized countries at the present day? Let us pray often and much that the earth may be filled with a loving knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea.
But it is well to go to Mary with every affair, great or small, that concerns us. However trivial, it will not be too much so for her motherly heart to take an interest in, and however vast, it will not exceed the scope of her queenly magnificence and power. Let us say to her: "Look upon thy servants and upon their works, and direct their children. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us; and direct thou the work of our hands....Yes, the work of our hands do thou direct."
But well it is for us that Our Lord does not always wait to be asked, else some of us would get but little help, it is to be feared. We notice her request at the marriage feast was spontaneous, and Father Faber says: Not a day passes in which our dearest Mother Mary does not interest herself for us. A thousand times and more has she mentioned our names to her divine Son in such a sweet persuasive way that His Sacred Heart sought not to resist it..." Nor is it only Catholics she assists, though they, of course, being of the "household of the faith", have her first care and attention. But how many out of the fold of the Church have learned to love and revere Christ's spotless Mother, and who can say how many graces she has won for them? Great, too, is her solicitude for infidel and heathen lands, which are not but which we trust will one day be Christian. The holy souls in purgatory also come in for a full share of Mary's beneficence. Indeed, if there is one class of Christians more than another that she loves, will it not be those poor helpless prisoners who can do nothing for themselves? If we wish to imitate our Mother, let us not only help our fellow Christians on earth by every means in our power, but let us also give her our indulgences to distribute for the release of those whose one longing is to united to their God, and when our turn comes, we may be sure we shall not suffer longer on account of our generosity. Let us rejoice then in having so good, so large-hearted and powerful an advocate, and let us trust our all to her, saying:

Mother Mary, to thy keeping
Soul and body we confinde;
Toiling, resting, waking, sleeping,
Be thou ever at our side.

Cares that vex us, joys that please us
Life and death we trust to thee;
Thou must make them all for jesus,
And for all eternity.

Help of Christians, pray for us.

On the vintage "Auxilium Christianorum" Holy Card above, the meek and mild mannered representation of Mother and child contrasts sharply with the amassed military paraphernalia surrounding them. Coat of arms (cross and half-moon) and armament are reminiscent of the opposition between Christians and Turks, and the naval battle featured evokes the October 7, 1571 victory of the Holy Ligue under Don Juan of Austria against the Turks. The victory of Lepanto was given a special Marian meaning because of its connection with the month of October and the rosary. Commemorative coins bear the inscription: “The Lord’s right is raised, the Lord’s right hand strikes with power” (Psalm 118:16), and the date of the victory on October 7 was chosen by Gregory XIII as the annual feast of the rosary. The lemma hails God’s support and warns the enemies of the faith: “Woe the nations that rise against my people! The Lord Almighty will requite them” (Judith 16:17). Pope Pius V officially added this invocation to the litany of Loreto in 1571.

REFUGIUM PECCATORUM, REFUGE OF SINNERS - PRAY FOR US

2010-03-06T12:48:00.001Z

O! how can we poor sinners do aught but weep with thee, when in thy train we follow our God to Calvary?

Forgive, I beseech Thee, the sins of this people, according to the greatness of Thy mercy....And the Lord said; I have forgiven according to thy word (Num 14: 19, 20), for I must not turn away thy face.

(3 Kings 2:20)

My fugitives shall dwell with thee....be thou a covert to them from the face of the destroyer; for the dust is at an end, the wretch is consumed, he hath failed that trod the earth under foot. (Isa 16:4)

make thy shadow as the night in the midday; hide them that flee, and betray not them that wander about. (Isa 16:3)

Be of good comfort, my children...for my hope is in the Eternal that he will save you: and joy is come upon me from the Holy One, because of the mercy that shall come to you from our everlasting Saviour.

Because you have provoked God to wrath, you are delivered to your adversaries. For you have provoked Him who made you, the eternal God...You have forgotten God brought you up...Be of good comfort, my children, and cry to the Lord; for you shall be remembered by Him...for as it was your mind to go astray from God: so when you return again, you shall seek Him ten times as much. (Bar 4)

"Refuge of Sinners" - Ah, here is a title that has probably drawn more to the feet of Mary than any other. For we are all sinners and therefore all, at times, in our flight from the grasp of the destroyer, feel the need of a city of refuge where we may rest awhile, and recover from the wounds we have receives; where also we trust to find one who will plead our cause with God, whose grace we have abused and whose just anger we have incurred. And He of whom Holy Church says, in the collect of Ash Wednesday, that "He winketh at the sins of men, for the sake of repentance," lovingly encourages His blessed Mother in this work of mercy. We can imagine Him saying: "My fugitives shall dwell with thee; be thou a covert to them from the face of the destroyer: for the dust is at an end, the wretch is consumed; he hath failed that trod the earth under foot (Isa 14:4). The means taken by Satan, that proud spirit, the prince of this world, to bind his poor victims, have not altogether succeeded, else they would not now be pleading for help from thee, My Mother. Make thy shadow as the night in the midday; hide them that flee, lest death should overtake them before they make their peace with Me. And betray not them that wander about." Ah! dearest Lord, there is little need for that last injunctions. Thy Mother is the work of Thy hands, and Thou hast put too much of Thy own spirit and of Thy magnanimous generosity into her heart to make us ever fear her betraying any one who casts himself upon her mercy. No, rather may we not say, "She was to them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by night." "She kept him safe from his enemies." "In the deceit of them that overreached him she stood by him and made him honourable" (Wis 10). Yes, she obtained for him the grace of contrition, so that he was again enabled to wear the wedding garment, and take his place amongst the guests of the King. O Mary, how many hast thou thus restored to grace, how many have come to thee weeping, and casting themselves at thy feet have cried out, "I am he that has sinned, I have done wickedly (2 Kings 24), oh, do not thou utterly forsake me"? (Ps 67). And thou hast opened thy heart to them, and whispered in their ear kind, comforting words, saying: "My son, give glory to the Lord...and confess, and tell me what thou hast done; hide it not." (Jos 7). And the poor repentant one has answered with humility: "Indeed I have sinned against the Lord...and thus and thus I have done" (Jos 7). And then thou hast poured out on him all the tenderness of thy maternal affection, and hast given him good counsel, encouraging him to hope in the mercy of God and turn to better things. "Fear not," thou hast said; "you have done all this evil, but yet depart not from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all thy heart (1 Kings 12). If thou wilt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, and shalt put away iniquity...And the Almighty shall be against thy enemies, and silver shall be heaped together on thee. Then shalt thou abound in delights in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face to God. Thou shalt pray to Him, and He shall hear thee...and light shall shine in thy ways. For he that hath been humbled shall be in glory (Job 22). But yet acknowledge thy iniquity, that thou hast sinned against the Lord." (Jer 3). Thus does Mary console the sinner, and while insisting on the necessity of confession, hold out the hope of being restored to God's favour, of yet heaping up spiritual riches and of enjoying eternal glory. But how many are there who will not fly to her, and to seek whom she has to go out of her way. Nor even then will they always acknowledge they are sinners, so she has to win them by milder terms. therefore she calls them "unwise," and to these she says: "Come." By degrees, if only she can by any means keep them near her, she shows them that sin is the greatest folly, the most egregious breach of wisdom of which we can be capable.
Surrounded as we are by many dangers in this world of ours, let us have frequent recourse to Mary. Nor need we fear to approach her. St Bernard sets forth in beautiful words her sweetness and gentleness to us sinning mortals, and tells us the frailest need have no fear in approaching her, as there is nothing about her to frighten us. She is all sweetness; and in the following extract from his sermons he calls her the "sinners' ladder to heaven": "My little children, this is the sinners' ladder to heaven, this is my chiefest trust, this is the whole reason of the hope that is in me. For why? Can her Son thrust her away, or endure that she should be thrust away? Can He either not hear or not Himself be heard? Plainly He cannot. The angel giveth her this joyful assurance: 'Thou hast found grace with God.' She will always find grace with Him, and grace is all that we need since by grace we are saved. What else do we want, my brethren? Let us seek grace, and let us seek it through Mary, for he that seeketh findeth, and cannot be disappointed of his hope. Let us seek grace, but let it be grace with God, for among men 'favour is deceitful' (Prov 31). Let others seek for merits, but let us seek to find grace. For why? is it not the work of grace that we are here? Of a truth, 'it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed' (Lam 3)".

Refuge of Sinners, pray for us.

There are several pictures of Our Lady under the title of "Refuge of Sinners" that are obviously venerated with great devotion. The vintage prayer card companion to the Loreto Litany is one of the picture adorned in symbols to increase and sustain devotion and confidence in Mary:

Description and explanation of the picture can be found HERE

Another picture of Mary venerated under the title of the Refuge of Sinners has an interesting story to tell us. The picture represents the image of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners venerated in the Jesuit Church of Frascati in Italy where the image was solemny crowned on July 4th 1717. The image was brought to Mexico by Jesuit missionary, Fr Juan Jose Guica in 1720. The Virgin appeared to him in a dream and told Fr Guica to ask the Franciscans of Zacatecas to use and promote the image; they made and distributed over 150 copies of the original image of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, which became one of the most widespread Marian devotions in Mexico. In 1793 Franciscan friars founded a new settlement under the name of Matamoros (marshes) and subsequently renamed the area as Our Lady of the Refuge of the Lovely Marshes. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Refuge, was built in 1832 and displays the painting of her, commissioned in 1886. Her feast, celebrated in many places in Mexico on July 4th, commemorates the coronation of the original "Refugium Peccatori" image in the Jesuit church of Frascati.

Above we can see the vintage image of a marble statue representing Our Lady, Refuge of Sinner, displayed in Venice. The story has it, the statue was once displayed on the grand staircase of the old municipal palace and the convicts were allowed to stop in front of the statue on their way to the scaffold and pray for their soul.

SALUS INFIRMRUM, HEALTH OF THE SICK - PRAY FOR US!

2010-02-27T12:29:00.004Z

Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her; and he that shall retain her is blessed. (Prov 4: 6)

Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her, and she shall preserve thee. (Prov 4: 6)

Behold thy children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun, by the word of the Holy One rejoicing in the remembrance of God. (Bar 5:5)

Health of the sick! What a consoling title to fall on the ears of us poor mortals, few of whom are free from one or more ailments. Not that our Lady's healing powers are applied chiefly to illnesses of the body. Yet before we pass on to more spiritual maladies let us just give a glance at almost innumerable instances in which she has cured purely corporal diseases. The subject is too vast to be entered on in these pages. Whole volumes would be required to record the miracles that have been wrought by Mary's power in every age and in every clime. To enumerate even in the shrines of our Lady in different lands would be a gigantic undertaking; and at each of these holy places who could count the numbers who have come crippled, blind, afflicted with loathsome sores and other diseases, and who have left whole and sound, leaping with joy, like the lame man at the gate called Beautiful, and praising God, who has given such power of His holy Mother. Take only one such place of pilgrimage - Lourdes. Might we not apply to it the words of the prophet, and say to our august Queen: "Behold thy children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun, by the word of the Holy One rejoicing in the remembrance of God?" (Bar 5). And seeing them flocking in from all lands, even those blighted by the cold blast of heresy, may we not cry out: "The nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for He hath glorified thee"? (Isa 4). Has He not said to thee: "Since thou becamest honourable in My eyes, thou art glorious....Fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north: Give up; and to the south: Keep not back; bring My sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth....Bring forth the blind that have eyes and see not; and the deaf that have ears and hear not. (Isa 43). "Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the damb shall be free; for the waters are broken out in the desert, and streams in the wilderness"? (Isa 35). But if Mary works such wonders for the body which is perishable, what will she not, and what does she not, do for the soul? Who can reckon the multitudes she has raised from the death of sin, or restored to health when wasted by mortal disease? yet these are not precisely the class to which one's mind adverts when addressing our Lady by the title: "Salus Infirmorum." is it not more the sickly, the infirm, the weak, those who need more the care of a mother than a physician? Who is not beset by spiritual ailments, languor or depression, which make the soul feel generally out of health and the vigorous practice of virtue an almost impossible effort? Let us then call our Mother to our aid. Let us whisper in her ear the symptoms we shrink from disclosing to others; let us tell her we feel sick, yet can scarce say what ails us. Her tender heart will be moved to compassion; she will not pass by and leave us helpless; rather will she pour in oil and wine, raise us from our state od spiritual inertness, whisper to us what means to employ to cure our maladies, and, above all, will interest in our behalf the divine Physician of our souls, by the neglect of whose prescriptions we have probably brought on ourselves the sickness we bewail. Thus shall we be restored to health and vigour, by the loving tender care of her whom we love to invoke under the consoling title of "Salus Infirmorum", and whom none need fear to approach. "Why should poor weak man tremble to come to Mary?" says St Bernard; "there is nothing stern, nothing dreadful about her; she is all sweetness....Consider well the whole course of the Gospel history, and if thou find in Mary any such thing as harshness, or hardness, and even the least sing of loss of temper, trust her not again, and fear to come unto her. But if thou find her to be altogether, as indeed she is, full of a mother's tenderness and mercy, give thanks unto Him who, in the vast abundance of His goodness, hath given thee such a spokeswoman in whom thou canst not be trust. In fine, through the boundlessness of her charity, she hath made herself 'all things to all men' (1 Cor 9: 22), 'A debtor both to the wise and to the unwise.' (Rom 1:14). She openeth to all the bosom of her mercy, that of her fullness all may receive; the captive, ransom; the sick, pardon; the sorrowful, comfort; the sinful, pardon; the righteous, grace, even angels, gladness. She is not one who inguireth what we have deserved; but is to all most easy to be entreated and most merciful. In the wideness of her love she hath pity upon the needs of all". (St Bernard on the Twelve Stars.)

Health of the sick, pray for us.

(text credit: "My Queen and My Mother" by RGS)

"Maria Salus Infirmorum - Mary Health of the Sick" is one of the most beautiful titles that the Church gives to Mary, the Mother of God. When we look at the vintage pictorial representation of Our Lady under the title 'Salus Infirmorum' we can see her with her hands folded in prayer of intercession, the posture of Orante. The image also expresses Mary’s “compassion,” her suffering with those who suffer: “Quis infirmatur et ego non infirmor” (attributed to Saint Paul). Mary is not the ultimate source of health and redemption (salus), it is God himself who heals all our infirmities, as indicated in Psalm 103:3 topping the whole picture.

The image of Mary is surrounded by the symbols of the apothecary and medical professions. The lower half of the illustration contrasts sickness (a sick person on her sick bed) and healing (possibly an allusion to the pool of Bethesda). “Health of the Sick,” Mary is a true physician. But her medical equipment is not the stethoscope. She acts as a healer by radiating holiness (virtue).

Credit: vintage picture and explanation after Mary's pages

Novena to the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague

2010-01-23T11:31:00.004Z

This prayer can be recited at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours in one day. It is used by supplicants with urgent requests that cannot wait for the nine days required for most novenas.

O Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, You have said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Your Father in Your Name that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, you have said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

I prostrate myself before Thy Holy Image, O most gracious Infant Jesus, to offer thee my most fervant thanks for the blessings Thou hast bestowed upon me. I shall incessantly praise Thine ineffable mercy and confess that Thou alone art my God, my Helper and my Protector. Henceforth, my entire confidence shall be placed in Thee! Everywhere, I shall proclaim aloud Thy mercy and generosity, so that Thy great Love and the great deeds which Thou dost perform through this miraculous image may be acknowledged by all. May devotion to Thy Holy Infancy increase more and more in the hearts of all Christians, and may all who experience Thine assistance persevere with me in showing unceasing gratitude to Thy Most Holy Infancy, to which be praise and glory forever. Amen

Thank you, Infant Baby Jesus of Prague and the Sacred Heart of Jesus for granting my request. I will always be dedicated to You Dear Jesus and have faith that You will always be by my side. Your faithful servant (state your name)

More about devotion HERE

Immaculate Heart of Mary

2009-08-22T13:30:00.001+01:00

In the Traditional liturgical calendar, the Feast of Immaculate Heart is celebrated on 22nd of August. The history of this devotion is connected on many points with that to the Heart of Jesus. The attention of Christians was early attracted by the love and virtues of the Heart of Mary. The Gospels recount the prophesy delivered to her at Jesus' presentation at the temple: that her heart would be pierced with a sword. This image of the pierced heart is the most popular representation of the Immaculate Heart. The Gospels further invited attention to Mary's heart with its depictions of Mary at the foot of the cross at Jesus' crucifixion. St. Augustine said of this that Mary was not merely passive at the foot of the cross; "she cooperated through charity in the work of our redemption"

St John Mary Baptist Vianney, Patron of parish priests, pray for us and for all priests!

2009-08-22T13:11:00.008+01:00

<>In honour of the 150th anniversary of Vianney's death, Pope Benedict XVI declared a year for priests, running from the feast of the Sacred Heart 2009-2010. We are several months now into the Year dedicated to St John Vianney and three weeks after his Feast. This post and movie is the reminder for what he was and for what he was loved and respected for. St John Mary Baptist Vianney was born on 8 May 1786 in Dardilly and baptised on the same day. His parents, Matthieu Vianney and Marie Beluze, had six children, of whom John was the third. The Vianneys were traditional Catholics who helped the poor and gave hospitality to those in need. By 1790, the French Revolution forced many loyal priests to hide from the government in order to carry out the sacraments in their parish. The Vianneys continued attending Mass, even though it was illegal. In order to attend Mass, the Vianneys travelled to distant farms where they would pray in secret. In 1802, the Catholic Church was re-established in France, resulting in religious peace throughout the country. By this time, St John Vianney was concerned about his future vocation and longed for an education. He was 20 when his father allowed him to leave the farm to be taught at Father Balley's "presbytery-school" in the neighbouring village of Ecully. The school taught arithmetic, history, geography, and Latin. He struggled, especially with Latin, since his past education had been interrupted by the French Revolution. If it wasn't for Vianney's deepest desire to be a priest - and Father Balley's patience - he would have given up his struggle to continue.

In autumn of 1813, he was sent to major seminary at Lyons. At the end of his first term he left to be privately tutored by Fr Balley. He received minor orders and the subdiaconate on 2 July 1814, was ordained deacon in June 1815, and was ordained priest on 12 August 1815. He said his first Mass the next day, and was appointed assistant to Fr Balley.Shortly after the death of Father Balley, Jean-Marie Vianney was appointed pastor of the parish of Ars, a town of 230. As the pastor of Ars, Vianney realized that the Revolution's aftermath resulted in religious ignorance, due to many years of the destruction of the Catholic Church in France. At the time, Sundays in rural areas were spent in the fields working, or spent dancing and drinking in taverns. Vianney was astonished, especially since Sundays were meant to be reserved for religion. Vianney spent time in the confessional and gave homilies railing on blasphemy, sin and useless, perilous to the soul entertainments. If his parishioners did not give up their sinful inclinations, he refused them absolution. He came to be known internationally, and people from distant places began traveling to consult him as early as 1827. By 1855, the number of pilgrims had reached twenty thousand a year. During the last ten years of his life, he spent sixteen to eighteen hours a day in the confessional. Even the bishop forbade him to attend the annual retreats of the diocesan clergy because of the souls "awaiting him yonder". He spent at least 11 or 12 hours a day in the confessional during winter, and up to 16 in the summer.

St John Vianney had a great devotion to St. Philomena. He looked at her as his guardian and erected a chapel and shrine in honour of the saint. During May 1843, St John Vianney fell so ill he thought that his life was coming to its end. He asked St Philomena to cure him and promised to say 100 Masses at her shrine. Twelve days later, Vianney was cured and he attributed his cure to St Philomena's intercession.

St John yearned for the contemplative life of a monk, and four times ran away from Ars, the last time in 1853. He died on 4 August 1859 at age 73. Biographers recorded miracles performed throughout his life, obtaining money for his charities and food for his orphans; he also had supernatural knowledge of the past and future, gift of reading hearts and could heal the sick, especially children. On 3 October 1874 Pope Pius IX proclaimed him Venerable; on 8 January 1905, Pope Pius X declared him Blessed and proposed him as a model to the parochial clergy; in 1925 Pope Pius XI canonized him, and assigned 8 August as his feast day. This feast was inserted in the General Roman Calendar in 1928 with the rank of Double. He was made patron saint of parish priests in 1929. The rank was changed to that of third-class feast in 1960, and it is thus celebrated in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite Calendar on August 8th. In the ordinary form Vianney is commemorated by a memorial on 4 August.

In 1959, the centenary of St John Vianney's death, Pope John XXIII issued Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia, an encyclical on St John Vianney. St John Vianney became internationally notable for his priestly and pastoral work in the parish of Ars because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. Catholics attribute this to his saintly life, mortifications offered to God for the conversion of his flock and persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession.

St John Vianney pray for us, that merciful God will grant us many holy priests for the restoration of His Church.

The story of conversionThe Cure de Ars and the Protestant by Elaine Marie Jordan

St Rita of Cascia - The Saint of Impossible and Desperate Causes

2009-05-23T00:18:00.005+01:00

Feast 22 May

Oration To The Saint Of The Impossible

O excellent St. Rita, worker of miracles, from thy sanctuary in Cascia, where in all thy beauty thou sleepest in peace, where thy relics exhale breaths of paradise, turn thy merciful eyes on me who suffer and weep! Thou seest my poor bleeding heart surrounded by thorns Thou seest, O dear Saint, that my eyes have no more tears to shed, so much have I wept! Weary and discouraged as I am, I feel the very prayers dying on my lips. Must I thus despair in this crisis of my life? O come, St. Rita, come to my aid and help me. Art thou not called the Saint of the Impossible, Advocate to those in despair? Then honor thy name, procuring for me from God the favor that I ask. (Here ask the favor you wish to obtain.) Everyone praises thy glories, everyone tells of the most amazing miracles performed through thee, must I alone be disappointed because thou hast not heard me? Ah no! Pray then pray for me to thy sweet Lord Jesus that He be moved to pity by my troubles and that, through thee, O good St. Rita, I may obtain what my heart so fervently desires. (Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, three times.)

Those wishing to offer a novena should repeat this prayer for nine days.

CANONIZATION of St Rita of Cascia

Her body is on display in a glass case in the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia, Italy. Her body has been seen in different positions in the glass case in which her remains are displayed and her eyes have opened and closed unaided.

THE UNIVERSAL and uninterrupted devotion of the faithful to St. Rita and the very many wonderful prodigies that God wrought through her intercession enkindled in the loving hearts of thousands and thousands of the clients of the humble Augustinian nun the ardent desire of seeing her elevated to that highest honor with which Holy Mother Church recompenses the heroic virtues of her pious and devout children. This ardent desire began to manifest itself shortly after her Beatification. However, generation after generation of the devout clients of St. Rita went to their reward without seeing the realization of their wishes. But at length the happy time came, after a lapse of two centuries of years and more. The year 1900 will long be remembered by the friars and nuns of the Order of St. Augustine, as well as by the loving and devout clients of St. Rita. In this year, on the 24th of May, Pope Leo XIII, of happy memory, decreed that Blessed Rita, O.S.A. of Cascia should be honored as a Saint, in public and in private; that her name be inscribed in the catalogue of the Saints, and that her memory should be held in perpetual veneration on the 22nd day of May each year by the Universal Church.

We will mention some of the details that anteceded the Canonization of St. Rita. In the year 1737, a few years more than a century after her Beatification, the Apostolic Process of the virtues and particularly of the miracles of St. Rita was begun. This Process was conducted by the diocesan tribunals of Spoleto and Nursia. For different reasons, some particular, some general, the Process was delayed for more than a century. On the 9th of September, in the year 1851, letters were sent from Rome to the bishop of Nursia to reopen and complete the Process. The procedure lasted four years. In 1855 the Process was sent to Rome, approved the following year by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, and confirmed by a decree of Pope Pius IX, the 29th of May, in the year 1856. On June 8th, in the year of Our Lord 1896, the Sacred Congregation approved the Process made in the year 1626 of the sanctity, virtues and worship to the Saint, thereby giving it the value of an Apostolic Process. On April 6th, in the year 1897, the same Congregation approved the Process of the virtues of St. Rita and declared that steps could be taken at once to examine the miracles attributed to the Saint. After a long and careful examination, as the Church is accustomed to do in such cases, Pope Leo XIII, by a decree dated Palm Sunday, April 8th, in the year 1900, approved, among the many, the miracles attributed to St. Rita and declared that they could, with all security, proceed to the solemn Canonization of the Saint. The following were the three miracles that were approved, as we may learn from the Decree of St. Rita's Canonization.

"The first miracle consists of that pleasing scent emanating from the remains of the Saint's body, the existence of which is confirmed by many reliable witnesses and trustworthy tradition, so that to doubt concerning this fact would be absurd; moreover no natural cause can be given for the existence of this odor, as we see from the physical research which has been made by men most skilled in such things. Furthermore this odor diffuses itself in a manner above the usual laws of nature. Hence we should be persuaded that this fragrance has its origin through Divine intervention.

"The other miracle happened to Elizabeth Bergamini, a young girl in danger of losing her sight from smallpox. Her parents, assured by the physicians that the child's condition was so serious that medical aid could be of no avail, decided to send her to the Augustinian Convent at Cascia, beseeching St. Rita fervently to deliver their daughter from approaching blindness. Arriving at the convent, the child was clothed with a votive dress in honor of St. Rita. After four months Elizabeth cried out one day that she could see. Together with the nuns she immediately began to give thanks to God, who had wrought such a miracle through St. Rita.

"The third miracle happened to Cosimo Pelligrini, suffering from chronic catarrhal gastroenteritis and hemorrhoidal affection so serious that there was no hope of recovery. Returning one day from church he became so weak from a new attack of his excruciating malady that he was near death. Doctors, being summoned, ordered him to receive the last Sacraments, receiving which he lay in the bed with every appearance of approaching death, when suddenly he seemed to see St. Rita in the attitude of greeting him. Thereupon his former strength and appetite returned to him, and within a very short time he was able to do the work of a young man, although he was advanced in years, being a septuagenarian."

In consideration of the approval of the virtues and miracles of the humble Augustinian nun, Pope Leo XIII issued the Decree of Canonization, and appointed Ascension Day, May 24th, 1900, for the happy event. On this memorable day, two blessed servants of God were canonized: Blessed John Baptist de La Salle, Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and our own Blessed Rita of Cascia, known throughout the entire Catholic world as the Saint of the Impossible.

On that occasion there was present a large multitude of people. Pilgrims had come from Ireland, England, France, Germany, Spain, America and from every province in Italy to witness the rarest and most solemn of ceremonies of Holy Church. In preparation for the canonization, more than 1500 persons were employed under the direction of Constantine Sneider, who had charge of the decorations of the Vatican. It was on this occasion that electric light was used for the first time in St. Peter's Church. Nearly 11,000,000 feet of wire supplied the current for 12,000 lamps and 400 chandeliers.

At an early hour of the morning of May 24th, 1900, there was assembled in the plaza of St. Peter an immense multitude of people of every nationality and language, indicating that the entire world was represented. The front of St. Peter's Church stood forth in all its majestic beauty, enhanced by the splendor of its gorgeous and magnificent decorations.

In the meantime, there were assembled in the Vatican Palace awaiting the beginning of the ceremonies: the Sacred College of Cardinals; Patriarchs; Archbishops and Bishops; Regular Clergy: the Chapter Fathers of Basilicas and Colleges; the Parish priests of Rome; and by special privilege, the students of the Roman and French seminaries.

At precisely eight o'clock, His Holiness, accompanied by his Court of Nobles, proceeded to the Sistine Chapel, where the College of Cardinals, the Archbishops and Bishops and all those who were to take part in the pontifical function were awaiting his arrival. After the hymn Ave Maris Stella was chanted, the Holy Father knelt for a few moments in prayer, and then ascended the Chair of State-----Sedia Gestatoria-----to accompany the procession to the Basilica of St. Peter. The procession was composed of three divisions. The first division had in its ranks the Regular Clergy. Among others were Calced and Discalced Augustinians; Brothers of the Christian Schools; Capuchins; Carmelites; Dominicans, Benedictines and Canons of St. John Lateran. The second division was made up of Secular Clergy: the parish priests of Rome; Canons of the Basilicas and Collegiate Churches of Rome; Officials, Priests and Prelates and Consultors of the Sacred Congregation of Rites. The third division was composed of the Pontifical Court; the Chaplains and Chamberlains; Procurator Generals of Religious Orders; Auditors and Relators of the Roman Rota; Archbishops, Bishops and Cardinals. The Holy Father, borne on the Chair of State, followed, surrounded by the Commanders and Chiefs of the Noble Guards; the Swiss Guards; the Palatines and the Prior Generals of Religious Orders. It was half past ten o'clock when the Holy Father arrived in St. Peter's Church and the ceremonies of Canonization began. The Decree of Canonization setting forth the apostolic sentence was read. High Mass was sung by Cardinal Oreglia, Dean of the Sacred College. The music was under the direction of Maestro Mustafa, Director of the Sistine Choir. When the Mass was concluded, the Holy Father gave the Papal Benediction, and then retired to his room in the Vatican Palace amid loud huzzahs of love and affection, as the people repeated again and again: "Long live Leo XIII." Rome was then, as it is today, under the rule and in the hands of a descendant of a robber king, but the ceremonies which had just terminated proved that Rome was still, as it is today, the City of Popes, and the Metropolitan of triumphant Catholicity.

Early life
St. Rita was born at Roccaporena near Spoleto, Umbria, Italy. She married at age 12 to Paolo Mancini. Her parents arranged her marriage, despite the fact that she repeatedly begged them to allow her to enter a convent. Mancini was a rich, quick-tempered, immoral man, who made many enemies in the region. St. Rita endured his insults, abuse, and infidelities for 18 years, and bore two sons with Mancini, Giangiacomo Antonio and Paolo Maria. Although she tried to raise them with Catholic values, her sons grew to be like their father.

Toward the end of her husband's life, St. Rita helped convert him to live in a more pious manner. Although Mancini became more congenial, his allies betrayed him, and he was violently stabbed to death. Before his death, he repented to St. Rita and the Church, and she forgave him for his transgressions against her.

After Mancini's murder, her sons wished to exact revenge on their father's murderers. Knowing murder was wrong, she tried to persuade them from retaliating, but to no avail. She, instead, prayed to God for Him to take away the lives of her sons instead of seeing them commit such a terrible sin. In religious history, God heard St. Rita's words and her sons died of natural causes a year later.

Entering the monastery
After the deaths of her husband and sons, St. Rita desired to enter the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene at Cascia but was spurned for being a widow, as virginity was required for entry into the convent. However, she persisted in her cause and was given a condition before the convent could accept her; the difficult task of reconciling her family with her husband's murderers. She was able to resolve the conflicts between the families at the age of 36, and was allowed to enter the monastery.

However, her actual entrance into the monastery has been described as a miracle. During the night, when the doors to the monastery were locked and the sisters were asleep, St. Rita was miraculously transported into the convent by her patron saints Saint John the Baptist, Saint Augustine, and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. When she was found inside the convent in the morning and the sisters learned of how she entered, they could not turn her away.

She remained at the monastery, living by the Augustinian Rule, until her death.

St. Rita was beatified by Urban VIII in 1627, to whose private secretary Fausto Cardinal Poli, born less than ten miles (16 km) from her birthplace, much of the impetus behind her cult is due; she was canonized on May 24, 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. Her feast day is on May 22.

The forehead wound
One day, while living at the convent Rita said, "Please let me suffer like you, Divine Saviour". Suddenly, a thorn from a figure of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ fell from the crown of thorns and wounded Rita's forehead. As a result, depictions of St. Rita show a forehead wound to represent this event. The wound became a symbol on St Ritas forehead.

The rose and fig
The rose is the symbol most often associated with St. Rita.

One of the common versions of the story about the importance of the rose (and fig) is set before St. Rita's entry into the convent.

Another version is set near the end of her life, when St. Rita was bedridden in the convent. A cousin (relative) visited her and asked her if she desired anything from her old home. St. Rita responded by asking for a rose (and a fig) from the garden. It was January and her cousin did not expect to find anything due to the weather (snow). However, when her relative went to the house, and single blooming rose was found in the garden, as well as a fully ripened and edible fig and her cousin brought the rose and fig back to St. Rita at the convent. The rose bush is still alive and often in bloom today.

The rose is thought to represent God's love for Rita and Rita's ability to intercede on behalf of lost causes or impossible cases. Rita is often depicted holding roses or with roses nearby. On her feast day, churches and shrines of St. Rita provide roses to the congregation that are blessed by priests during mass.

The Bees
In the parish church of Laarne, near Ghent, there is a statue of Saint Rita in which several bees are featured. This depiction originates from the story of St. Rita's baptism as an infant. On the day after her baptism, her family noticed a swarm of white bees flying around her as she slept in her crib. However, the bees peacefully entered and exited her mouth without causing her any harm or injury. Instead of being alarmed for her safety, her family was mystified by this sight.

Interpretations of the story believe the bees represented her subsequent beatification by Pope Urban VIII.

Prayer
Almighty Jesus, Saint Rita had a special devotion to the Passion, because she felt unspeakable awe at what You did on the cross. She shared in Your suffering beginning at age twelve when her parents married her to an abusive man, and so she has become the patron of impossible causes. I ask her to pray for all my most difficult, least hopeful situations, and to hold dear in her heart, with continuous prayers, all the people I know who are in harmful, unhealthy or abusive lives. Free us all, dear Lord, from the strongholds of fear and denial that keep us from discovering Your healing love. Saint Rita, pray for us. Amen

LITANY OF SAINT RITA:
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, ….
God, the Holy Spirit, …
Holy Trinity, One God, …
Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of pure love, …
Holy Mary, Comforter of the afflicted, …
Holy Mary, Queen of all the saints, …
Holy Mary, Model of life for Saint Rita, …
St. Rita, our advocate and protectress, …
St. Rita, beloved by the Lord, …
St. Rita given special grace from heaven, …
St. Rita, remarkable in childhood, …
St. Rita, model of obedience to God’s Will, …
St. Rita, of untiring patience, …
St. Rita, model of Christian mothers, …
St. Rita, mirror for Christian spouses, …

St. Rita, heroic in sacrifice, …
St. Rita, generous in forgiving, …
St. Rita, martyr in penitence, …
St. Rita, embracing humility and poverty, …
St. Rita, exemplary as a widow, …
St. Rita, prompt to answer the divine call, …
St. Rita, patient in suffering, …
St. Rita, mirror of religious observance, …
St. Rita, mystical rose of every virtue, …
St. Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ, …
St. Rita, pierced with a thorn, …
St. Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament, …
St. Rita, consumed with Divine Love, …
St. Rita, received into heaven with joy, …
St. Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body, …
St. Rita, advocate of impossible cases, …
St. Rita, persevering in prayer, …
St. Rita, help of those in need, …

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Leader: Lord, you have signed your servant, Rita.
All: With the marks of Your love and Passion.

Leader: Let us pray. O God, Who bestowed on St. Rita such grace that she loved her enemies, and bore in her heart and on her forehead the mark of Your love and Passion, grant us, we beseech You, through her merits and intercession, a love for our enemies. Through our contemplation of Your sufferings and Passion, may we merit the reward promised to the meek and the suffering. You live and reign forever. Amen

2009-02-08T22:21:00.004Z

A Visit to Carmel

The monastery of Carmel, Stella Maris, is situated two miles from Haifa. It is four hundred and ninety-five feet above the sea and has all the solidity of a fortress. Its thick walls, its heavily barred windows, its low doors, present a fine specimen of Medieval Monasteries in the Orient, always exposed to attack.

On reaching the esplanade you are faced with a bronze pillar set in a granite plinth and crowned by a statue of Immaculate Conception, the gift of Chile. To the right is a guest house, Stella Maris, once a villa built by Abdullah Pasha of Acre in 1821 from the ruins of the monastery.

This building also serves as the base of a lighthouse, whose big white light flashes one minute out over the sea and then back over the mountain. It can be seen at a distance of fifteen miles: surely a Star of the Sea.

To the right is the monastery within which is enclosed the church. In front of the monastery is a stone pyramid built in 1876, a monument to the two thousand dead of Bonaparte.

The main door leads into the church, which makes a profound impression for its sheer beauty.

Above the High Altar rises the statue of Our Lady of Carmel. Graceful and lonely the Virgin sits enthroned with the Child Jesus in her left arm, her sceptre in her right hand from which hangs a scapular.

The original statue was carved in 1821 by the Genoese Caraventa, but strange to relate it consisted only of head, hands and feet in wood, the rest was arrayed in rich clothing. In 1933, these were attached to a new statue carved from Lebanese cedar by the sculptor Rieda.

Beneath the altar is a dim grotto supported by two porphyry pillars. This grotto served on many occasions as the dwelling of St Elias.

It was near this grotto that the hermits had built the small chapel, during the lifetime of the Virgin. Within the Grotto an altar hewn in the rock is adorned with a statue of St Elias, his arm raised in a threatening gesture.

Beautiful dome of St Elias Chapel

Thousands of pilgrims flock to Mt Carmel on July 20, the feast of St Elias. From the terrace of the monastery the view is magnificent.

You seem to stand on the neck of a lusty giant resting on ancient and solid foundations, embraced by the waters of the Mediterranean. Two powerful forces, two giants, meet face to face. Between these two imposing elements puny man is ruler of all he surveys - how finite and insignificant he feels. It is difficult to decide which of the two elements encroaches upon the other - whether the land abuts on the sea, or the sea threatens the land. But it is Carmel at least that places the frame for the fascinating picture.

Previous post

Marian Shrines in Holy Land

2009-02-02T11:29:00.002Z

Marian Shrines in the Holy Land part 1

Marian Shrines in the Holy Land part 2

The Latin Era

During the Pontificate of Alexander III, Aymeric of Malifay was sent as Delegate to the Holy Land and having visited Carmel, he appointed a Prior-General over all hermits: this was St Berthold of Limoges, who became the first Latin Superior (1150). He was succeeded by St Brocard, a native of Jerusalem, who became the first church and monastery begun by his predecessor, and requested St Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem, to arrange a Rule, preserving the ancient traditions. The Patriarch gave the Rule in 1207, and thus founded the Carmelite Order as known in the West.
As the Crusaders withdrew, the position of the monks became worse and many of them went to Europe. Finally the Prior, Alan, a Breton, went to Europe and resigned his office at a general Chapter held at Aylesford.

St Simon Stock was was chosen in his place. He was one of the first to join the Order in England, and had lived for six or more years as a hermit on Carmel. At the monastery of Cambridge he received the privilege of the Scapular. Praying for some

sign of Mary's protection he cried: "Flower of Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Virgin Mother of the Son of God, Amiable Mother, ever Virgin, give to thy children of Carmel the privilege of thy protection, Star of the Sea."

"When she appeared to me with her heavenly court, and holding in her hand the habit of the Order, she said: 'This will be the sign of the privilege that I have obtained for thee and for the children of Carmel, whoever die piously clothed with this habit will be preserved from eternal flames.'"
St Simon by his popularity helped very much the extension of the Order in Europe, whose members were called familiarly "White Friars", but it was destined to die out for a time on Carmel itself. In 1291, Acre, the last stronghold of the Crusaders fell

and all the religious of nearby Carmel were massacred while they chanted the Salve Regina

and their monastery burned. For nigh four centuries - from 1291 to 1631 - Mt Carmel stood solitary by the sea, mourning the loss of her departed children, but God was preparing another Elias who was to spend his life upon the mountain in prayer and praise.
The reform of the Carmelite Order to its primitive rule by the great St Teresa at the beginning of the 16th century naturally inspired the Carmelites with the desire to return to Carmel, which then formed part of the small fief of the Arab Emir Tarab et Tarabie. Fr Prosper who was born at Nalda, in the diocese of Calahorra in Spain was the man destined by God to bring back the Discalced Carmelites to their to the Holy Mountain of Carmel. The Franciscans who after many difficulties had succeeded in establishing themselves in nearby Nazareth now came to the rescue of their Carmelite brothers and helped them to acquire possession of Carmel. He lived with them in Nazareth until the Emir in November 29 ratified the agreement. On November 29, 1631 fr Prosper offered Mass, the first for centuries, at the foot of Carmel. In 1761 the little monastery and church built by Fr Prosper was destroyed and the Carmelites forced out. Again they returned in 1762 and began the construction of a church and monastery over the Grotto of St Elias.

In May 1799 when Napoleon laid siege to Acre

Carmel opened her doors to all, among them the wounded and dying French soldiers. After the defeat of the French the Turks massacred the wounded and left the Sanctuary uninhabitable. Twenty years later the Carmelites decided to repair it, but instead, due to the war with the Greeks in 1821, the Sultan ordered its leveling to the ground. Six years later the first stone was laid in the great monastery (the fifth) and church which we see today.

Statue of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, Haifa.

Once more the monastery was menaced when the German Protestant Templars in 1886 tried to gain possession of the mountain. Despite Prussian gold, the danger was averted. Again in 1914 the Commnity was driven out and the monsatery was sacked. In January 1919 Fr Francis Lamb arrived from England as Vicar of Mt Carmel> He found British troops in occupation but they soon pulled out. Fr Lamb spent over thirty years on Mt Carmel and lived to see it once again a fruitful spiritual garden. The sad years, following 1948, made him long to be dissolved and the Lord soon granted his wish.

to be continued as "A Visit to Carmel"

This is the rest of the post

Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Italian Harlem - one of three America's crowned Madonnas

2008-12-07T20:39:00.019Z

Italian immigrants who arrived in New York City during the last quarter of the nineteenth century came from a variety of southern Italian towns. Those from Polla (Salerno) arrived in 1878 and occupied the area around 115th Street. In 1881 a small community of Genovese settled south of 106th Street. Neapolitans chose the area between 106th and 108th Streets while new arrivals from Basilicata lived between 108th and 115th Street.

The 1890s saw the arrival of a number of laborers from Calabria. Some immigrants were brought uptown by an Irish-American contractor, J. D. Crimmins, to work on the First Avenue trolley tracks. Others sought the cleaner air of northern Manhattan and the increased prospect of work in the growing construction trades. By 1884 there were approximately four thousand Italians in Northern Manhattan. Italian Harlem was known as one of New York Citys Little Italy's. Typical of those Little Italys was the celebration of the popular feasts to which were reminiscences of their homes in their native lands. The feast of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel was first held in 1881. This feast enlivened the desire to have a church dedicated to the fulfillment of religious duties and to venerate the Blessed Mother. This church would be built by the Italians, and was to be called the parish of the Italians in New York. With the completion of the church came the arrival of the Statue of the Blessed Mother. The Statute came from Italy and was adorned with precious garments. Thereafter, the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel became a sanctuary. Thousands of people took pilgrimages to visit the Sanctuary, each bearing gifts and devotion to the Blessed Mother. Italians offered wedding rings, earrings, and necklaces to the Blessed Mother; for they believed that it was the Blessed Mother who kept a watchful eye on them in this new world. Soon after, the statue was officially crowned by Papal Nuncio. The coronation of the Statue gave a new impulse to the devotion for the Madonna. One can truly say that there was not one Italian during that generation who did not visit at least once the Sacred Temple on the occasion of the feast during the month of July. People prayed to the Madonna, and miraculously sick children were cured, fatal injuries became scratches and bruises. Italians have prayed to the Madonna in times of despair and the procession from the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel through the streets of East Harlem is a way of honouring the Blessed Mother.
The story of the shrine and devotions and NY Italian immigrants taken from the book 'The Madonna of 115th Street'

Pilgrimage of Love - 100 European and Holy Land Shrines

2008-10-18T12:29:00.127+01:00

The picture below shows His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI praying in the House of Loreto before the statue of Our Lady.

I am going to present today vintage itinerary of the Pilgrimage to celebrate the
Holy Year 1950 and described by Carmelite tertiary, Br John of the Cross TOCD (Dr HR Casolary) in 1950. This is the year of my birth, therefore has a special meaning to me. It may also give us a glimpse of heaven while visiting a long list of shrines in Europe and the Holy Land.

Having boarded a plane, I flew to Lisbon, Portugal, primarily to see Fatima. Upon arrival, the airport was overshadowed by a dense fog which interered with the proper visibility for landing. For the first time in the pilot's experience of 16 years had this happened. While stalling for the necessary visibility, the pilot took us for a 3-hour sigh-seeing tour over the vicinity of Fatima. Wasn't that a grand thrill of the soul to be able to look upon Fatima by air somewhat as our Blessed Lady had done in 1917, witnessed by some 70 000 spectators! After two unsuccessful attempt, the captain landed the plane at the airport in Lisbon.

FATIMA - One of its most beautiful scenes is the small Chapel (Capela) built over the spot where the primary apparition took place at Cova da Iria, overshadowed by clear white clouds and a celestial blue sky. The original statue of Our lady of Fatima is enshrined in the Chapel.

Fatima is connected with Carmelites - one of the visionaries, Lucia, entered Discalced Carmelite Convent in Coimbra in 1947 as transfer from Dorothean order in Spain.

Lucia died on February 13, 2005, at the age of 97. After her death, the Vatican, specifically Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (at that time, still head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) ordered her cell sealed off. It is believed this was because Sister Lúcia had continued to receive more revelations, and the evidence needed to be examined in the course of proceedings for Lúcia's canonization.
In 1941, Lúcia claimed that the Virgin Mary had predicted the deaths of two of the children during the second apparition on June 13, 1917. Some accounts, including the testimony of Olímpia Marto (mother of the two younger children) state that her children did not keep this information secret and ecstatically predicted their own deaths many times to her and to curious pilgrims. According to the 1941 account, on June 13, Lúcia asked the Virgin if the three children would go to heaven when they died. She heard Mary reply, "Yes, I shall take Francisco and Jacinta soon, but you will remain a little longer, since Jesus wishes you to make me known and loved on earth. He wishes also for you to establish devotion in the world to my Immaculate Heart. Jacinta, in fact, accurately foretold the time and detailed circumstances of her death, according to Lúcia and hospital staff. Exhumed in 1935 and again in 1951, Jacinta's body was found incorrupt Francisco's had decomposed. More readings and info: Three secrets of Fatima and Fatima opposition
Fatima - full story from EWTN

COIMBRA - Lucy, a Discalced Carmelite Nun, and one of three children who witnessed apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, was living in the cloister of the Carmelite Monastery of Santa Teresa and died there in 2005. Her remains were transferred to Fatima in February 2006. In 1950, Br John claim he was able to hear Sr Lucia singing the Litany with other nuns while praying for their benefactors. In the Chapel of the cloister is a masterfully sculptured statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which was designed according to Lucy's description of her vision, as keenly as human artistry will permit. Its pure whitness and scarlet heart lifts one's soul to the glories of God for having given us so beautiful a mother in all virtues. Also seen is the sculpture of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus extending Holy Communion to the three children. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and First Saturday devotion was the fruit of the Fatima Apparitions and Sr Lucy spent her life to propagate this devotion on the request of Our Lady.

ALBA DE TORMES, SPAIN

Here lie the incorruptible remains of the great St Teresa of Jesus, who restored the Carmelite Order to its Primitive Rule and founded the new branch - the Discalced Carmelites - while attaining the highest degree of mystical life.

Her heart was miraculously inflamed with divine love after having been pierced by the arrow of an angel.

The aperture, the size of a goose quill, can still be seen clear through it. Many other reliques are preserved there, such as her arm, finger, cincture, rosary, cross, disciplinary, and blood stains.

Her still incorupt body is enshrined in the High Altar of the Convent Church. St Teresa was awarded a jeweled crown (valued at three million pesetas in 1950), for her doctrines on Mystical Theology by the University of Salamanca. The crown is placed on her statue during her feast day procession.

The reconstructed cell of St Teresa can be seen in the convent.

AVILA, SPAIN

At St Joseph's Monastery, which was St Teresa's first foundation, on St Joseph's Day, was held a profession of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. Also attended a Military Mass at St Teresa'a Church if Avila where a band played during parts of the mass and a horn was blown during the Consecration and Elevation.

SEGOVIA, SPAIN

St John of the Cross, the outstanding Doctor of the Mystical Theology of the Universal Church, the co-reformer of the Carmelite Order with St Teresa, has his torso enshrined in the second most beautiful sepulchre in the world, in the Church bearing his name which he built himself.

Enshrined there are also reliques of his tibia, and two thorns from the crown of thorns.

I saw the cave where St John prayed in ecstasies and would plead not to disturb while in prayer with his God. There on the hilltop are most beautiful natural caves overlooking a clear stream of spring water of spring water, echoed by beautiful melodies from winged creatures of divers colours rendering befitting homage to our Saint.

We now move to France to visit Lisieux and Carmelite Monastery where St Therese spent her religious life.

LISIEUX, FRANCE

Entrance to Discalced Carmelites convent Chapel in Lisieux

One of heaven's most beautiful little flowers is there enshrined in a golden glassed sepulchre surrounded by beautiful natural roses and other flowers. Her lovely golden hair of about four feet in length is visible nearby on an easel, together with her Habit and Holy Communion dress (all now on display in museum at St Therese home in Lisieux). Her home, a beautiful mansion (Buissonnets) still contains furnishings of her early life which made a beautiful groundwork to blossom forth the little rose for her Groom.

LOURDES

The pictures consisting the slide show above were taken during first days of the 150th Anniversary of the First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Bernardette celebration in Lourdes. The movie starts with vintage Holy Card followed by old photo of the Grotto as seen in St Bernadette times. We can also have a glimpse of the Grotto when it has already became celebrated place of worship. These first photographs are followed by pictures taken during first days of celebration in Lourdes. The photos show the main events of these several days. During the first day, on our arrival we first paid a visit and lit votive candles at the Grotto of Messabielle while listening to International Mass open air celebrated just over the river. The several next pictures show exterior and interior of Immaculate Conception Basilica which top up the Crypt - the first chapel built at Our Lady's request. The building beneath is the Rosary Basilica which has a dome crowned with gold plated crown founded by faithful Irish Catholics from all over the world. In the afternoon of the first day, we participated in the Blessed Sacrament Procession with over 920 priests gathered at Lourdes to pay homage to Our Lady. The procession took place around the main square in front of both Basilicas. The square is adorned with beautiful crowned statue of Our Lady. The first day ended with candle Rosary procession concluded with prayers at the Grotto. The following days were spent visiting places connected with life of St Bernadette where we had an opportunity to collect stickers for Jubilee medal commemorating steps of this meditative journey and needed to fulfill Indulgence conditions generously granted by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. On the way we visited Soubirou's family home, called Boly Mill, where St Bernadette was born, the original baptisery used for her baptism which is now located within the new Parish Church that replaced original one completely destroyed by the fire at the end of XIX century. Interestingly, the front of the old Church with baptismal font was the only part that survived the fire. Next we visited Le Cachot, the desolate former prison cell room measuring a bit over 12 feet square where Bernadette lived with her parents and three other siblings at the time of Apparitions. The loving and very close Soubirou family lived there in utter poverty in despicable conditions after Bernadette's father lost both business and family house, was left half blinded after accident at the mill he run, was falsely accused of stealing some flour and had to spent eight days in prison before being finally declared innocent. He never, however, recovered his good name and was thought a thief when the first Apparition took place. The Jubilee pilgrimage ended with the visit to Hospice run by Sisters of Charity where young Bernadette received her First Communion and lived there since Apparitions ended to avoid ever increasing attention of the public. Important devotion of the following days were prayers at Lourdes spectacular open air Stations of the Cross located on the hill close to the Basilica of Immaculate Conception. The Stations are made of natural size figures and each Station depicts vividly dramatic moments of Our Lord's Passion. The first Station is usually prayed by the faithful on the miniature replica of holy steps transferred originally from Pilate palace and located in Santa Scala Church in Rome.

PARIS
The waxed remains of St Vincent de Paul are enshrined high above the main altar in the House of Lazarists (Vincentian Fathers).
The Shrine of the Immmmaculate Conception in Paris (Sisters of Charity) is designed with heavenly beauty.

Our Lady extends her rays of graces with celestial radiance. Underneath her main altar to the right is the tomb of St Louse de Marillac, the founder of the order under St Vincent; and to the left is the tomb of St Catherine Laboure to whom Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal appeared.

Next stop will be in SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO FRIARY of Our Lady of Grace in Italy, where another XX century stigmatist, Padre Pio of Petrelcina, lived for years as Capuchin Friar and priest. Padre Pio was canonized in July 2004.

He was the only priest ever known to be favoured with the stigmata. He was known for his exceptional piety in offering Mass, he was actually 'suffering' the Mass daily from five to seven am. Dr Casorali participated in the Mass offered by Padre Pio and says that during the Consecration and Elevation Padre Pio was falling into ecstasy. The hand's wounds were covered with brown bands and only parts of the inner wounds were visible. In the confessional Padre Pio suffered for the sins of the penitent and he knew the forgotten sins needed to confess and repent. He was known to throw out of confessional unrepentant penitents. He was teaching both about God's love and justice, heaven and hell.

In April 2008, after exhumation of Padre Pio's uncorrupted body, the wounds could not be found, according to the Church officials who witnessed examination of the body of the Saint.

Padre Pio's body in glass casket on display in the Church of Santa della Grazia after exhumation from the tomb.

ASSISI

St Francis' remains are in a tomb there at the Basilica of St Francis

which also contains his personal apparel - habit, gray and shabbily worn, and a cloth which still shows the satin from the wound on his side. The Portiuncula, the Cradle of the Franciscan Order, is within the Lady of the Angels Church which also has a chapel over the place where he died and also contains his cord. The Church of the Poor Clares

preserves the Cross which spoke to St Francis asking him to restore his tottering Church;

also the grill where St Francis placed his foot so that

St Clare could be permitted to kiss it.

Her body is there preserved. Also visited the first foundation of St Clare, St Damian, and saw the monstrance which was used to dispel the invading Saracens.

SIENA

St Catherine is also the great mystic of the Third Order of the Dominicans, who was influential in bringing the Pope back from Avignon to Rome. Her precious head remains in the Dominican Basilica in her honour.

In her home

is preserved her cell which contains her reliques and a stone which she used as a pillow, also paintings of her visions: receiving the Christ Child in her arms and the crown of thorns. I managed to detain a pilgrimage long enough to be able to qualify in numbers so that I might see the Crucifix whose rays rendered the stigmata to St Catherine of Siena, although she prayed that they would not be visible so that no homage would be given her by the public. A favourite painting is that of a vision of a man's soul entering heaven - a man who had been executed, yet had called out her name three times after his head was severed.

Konnersreuth, Germany,

THERESA NEUMANN, the stigmatist who lived in Konnersreuth, Bavaria, had St Therese of the Child Jesus as her patron Saint.

The picture above shows Teresian Cloister in Konnersreuth. One of greatest ecstatic joys of Theresa Neumann's soul was in uniting with the suffering of our Lord.
More details about Theresa Neumann HERE

ROME, ITALY

The eternal city of Christendom and its martyrs! Its heart - the Vatican; its life - the Pope. The Pope grants weekly audience at St Peter's square or inside the Vatican, pending on weather conditions. Amids prayers and cheers of the crowd, the Holy Father traditionally greets the the faithful in many languages including Italian, Spanish, French, German and English and reads the relevant for the day passages from the Holy Scripture adding His comments. At the end of audience the Holy Father usually gives His Papal blessing to all present, their relatives and friends, and those in particular for whom the pilgrim wants it imparted. The pilgrims cheers the Holy Father shouting 'Viva il Papa' in Italian, and in other languages, waving their hands in applause, many a pilgrim make a sign of the Cross in honour of the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ. The atmosphere is unique, the feeling of unity with the Holy Catholic Church is profound. Our Holy Father, Christ's most loving symbol of peace, seems to envelop all creation.

ST PETER'S BASILICA, the world's foremost in beauty and splendour,

has in its treasured department a reliquary containing the hair of the Virgin Mary, along with thorns from the crown of thorns and a bone of St Lazarus, with many other precious relics and costly jeweled garments. St Ann's arm is preserved in a reliquary in the Basilica of St Paul, outside the Walls.

At the Church of the Holy Stairs, Santa Scala, hundreds of pilgrims are continuously seen ascending the stairs on their knees -

stairs which were once ascended by Christ in the Pilate palace.

BASILICA OF THE CROSS OF JERUSALEM, SANTA CROCE IN GERUSALEMME

in Rome contains: three of the largest portions of the true Cross in the world; two thorns from the crown; the finger of St Thomas, which was placed in the wound of Christ's sacred side; one of the nails which pierced Christ;

also remnants of the pillar at which Jesus was scourged; along with the plaque inscribed above the Cross.

The catacombs of St Callistus contain the sepulchre of St Cecilia, which the early Christians had sealed, fearing that the body would be stolen. It was discovered centuries later. I had the privilege of sitting on the stone seat where the early martyred Pope St Callistus sat during his reign.

The COLLOSEUM

re-echoes the glories of the early martyrs for our Faith only that their triumph may encourage our present day ones.

PANTHEON - what heavenly joy to see the antiquated Pantheon giving glory to its true God. Once the biggest pagan temple of Rome

has been changed into Catholic Church.

CHURCH OF THE CAPUCHIN MONKS - SANTA MARIA DEL CONZETIONE, ROME

have their graves in the lower church whose walls are decorated by bones of over four thousands monks. They are buried there in earth from Jerusalem, which is very warm and ordinarily decomposes the flesh within seven days. If after a period of years flesh still remains on the bones intact, the deceased monk is preserved in his Habit.

SANTA TERESA CHURCH
in Rome was at the time of Dr Casaroli's pilgrimage the site of an ordination of twelve Discalced Carmelites, performed by the Most reverend Bishop Benedetti, OCD. Next to the Church is their International College of Theology. When receiving Holy Communion, one first kisses the Bishop's ring.

NAPLES, ITALY

The Duomo of St Januarius contains the phial of the Saint's blood, which liquifies on the First Sunday of May and on the Saint's feats day, September 19th. The Faithful petition his protection of Naples and its surroundings, pleading to hold down the ravages of the lava of Mt Vesuvius. Neapolitan tradition says St Januarius was born in Benevento to a rich patrician family that traced its descent to the Caudini tribe of the Samnites. At a young age of 15, he became local priest of his parish in Benevento, which at the time was relatively pagan. When Januarius was 20, he became Bishop of Naples and befriended Juliana of Nicomedia and St.Sossius whom he met during his priestly studies as young boys. As Bishop of Naples, he performed many miracles. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian, he hid his fellow Christians and prevented them from being caught. Unfortunately, while visiting Sossius in jail, he too was arrested. He was placed in a furnace to be cooked alive, he came out unscathed. He was pushed into the Flavian Amphitheater at Pozzuoli to be eaten by wild bears, who had not eaten in days. Yet the animals refused to eat them, instead licking their toes.

Januarius was beheaded along with Sossius and his companions at Solfatara.

LORETO, ITALY

Contained within its cathedral is the very house where Mary and Jesus lived.

Some of the householdware can still be seen. Tradition has it that the sacred house was flown there from Jerusalem by angels after having been set down at two other places.

GREECE, ATHENS

We can visit there the sacred place where St Paul taught the unknown God, and follow the road of his miraculous conversion from Damascus to Jerusalem.

HOLY LAND - for pictures, descriptions, addresses and info on the Catholic Holy places of worship in the Holy Land, please visit Franciscan cyberplace at Custodia Terrae Sanctae - Friaries

PALESTINE, HAIFA.
Mount Carmel, the Heart and Cradle of the Carmelite Order, is preserved by Discalced Carmelites. This is the site of the first Church ever built in honour of our Blessed Lady, over the grotto where St Elias the prophet has prayed and predicted nine hundred years before Christ the coming of the Mother of God. It was he who had previously brought down fire from heaven to consume the holocaust and prove the existence of the true God. A most motherly statue fashioned with all grace and beauty, our new modern Lady of Mt Carmel with Child, sculptured especially for inspiration to missionaries and the faithful, and known as the miraculous statue, is enshrined over the main altar of the monastery church of Mt Carmel. Her immaculate veil is so tenderly carved from wood and so artistically drawn in purest white fashion that one wonders if it is not the closest thing to reality. Her facial softness and sweet beauty, and that of her Child, cannot be just wooden carvings - a touch of the supernatural graces one's soul when privileged to adore the Son of God in the arms of Mary. I was favoured to kiss her foot. The Mount is the only one of its kind which has such a steep cornered descent with nature at its best in panorama. Never was happiness greater than in being privileged to stay two days within the sanctuary of the cloister of great Mt Carmel as a Third Order member.

NAZARETH
I passed through its stone-paved streets and saw the slopes of Mt Tabor

of the Transfiguration on the way to Lake Tiberias where Christ preached from the lake-shore, walked on its water and there chose his first Apostles, Peter, John and James.

Church of St John the Baptist has within it the natural grotto where he was born.

Church of the Annunciation is venerated as the very place where the Angel of the Lord

declared unto Mary and she conceived through the Holy Ghost. A long-bearded Franciscan monk stated that whenever I heard the Angelus I would remember dearly that I was there at the very spot. What joy!

BETHLEHEM

Church of Nativity in Bethlehem

is where our Lord was born; the place is marked by a star. The knights of old, the Crusaders, made the entrance door narrow and low, about four feet high, to prevent animals from entering and so that anyone entering the shrine would have to bow his head in respect. I kissed the star

where Christ was born and saw the manger cleaved out of stone. Needless to say, the soul really receives a new birth. The crib is enshrined in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.

MOUNT SION, the CENACLE
My soul's ambition was realized when I was privileged to be in Cenacle, the chamber of the Last Supper, on the very spot on which the feast is commemorated - Holy Thursday.

The Cenacle is also the birthplace of the Church, the First Pentecost and the site where our Lord often visited His Apostles and Disciples and appeared particularly to St Thomas. This is also the Mount where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.
Its valley is prophesied to be the place of the Last Judgment. A piece of palm growing near the valley site was taken by the pilgrims as a souvenir.

Nearby, within the Benedictine Monastery, is where our Blessed Lady died and was assumed into heaven.

The Assumption was proclaimed a dogma of faith on the year of the pilgrimage described in this post.

THE CHURCH OF VISITATION

Here Mary visited he cousin Elizabeth and pronounced the immortal Magnificat. I was privileged to drink from the very well that sustained them.

THE GARDEN OF OLIVES.

Is at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Christ ascended into heaven. Within its walls are venerated eight ancient olive trees dating back to the time of Christ, which had sheltered our Lord during His agony.

Here we were given the Lord's Prayer. Within its church is preserved the stone where Christ stood when seized by the soldiers. Mosque Omar has within its walls the huge rock where the ancient sacrifices were offered to God. Nearby Christ preached daily in the temple and cast out the money changers.

Mt Calvary is enshrined within the Holy Sepulchre Church .

On Good Friday I was privileged to make the stations over Via Dolorosa,

some six feet below the present surface, where Christ offered His Supreme Sacrifice for Man; and I worshipped the place regarded as the scene of the Crucifixion enshrined in the Holy Sepulchre Church is the site of the last four stations.

Holy Sepulchre Church also contains the slab on which Christ our King was laid after He had been taken down from the Cross

and the pillar of the scourging along with the holiest of Holy Sepulchres - the tomb in which was placed the most sacred body of the Son of God. Without emotions one's soul realizes the majestic grandeur of kneeling before its God made Man in the substance of the Holy Eucharist placed upon the holiest tomb on Holy Thursday. To receive at the Shrine Altar of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday gives one's soul its most cherished graces of a lifetime. May Jesus be praised forever for His meritorious Honour and Glory in living the life of the Cross for our Redemption, having suffered ignominious insults and torments from souls whom He favoured the most - as our model.

Shrines, pilgrimage and spiritual benefits - glimpse of Heaven

2008-10-14T20:42:00.016+01:00

Shrine is the place of worship with chapel or Church built under the patronage of Our Lady, or Saints often associated with reported miracle, the dream (Walsingham) or vision (Evesham).
With few exceptions, shrines were built in medieval times and were recognized as places of pilgrimages. The name of shrine is chosen to honour Our Lady and contains the name of associated places (Our Lady of Walsingham, Our Lady of Lincoln). The shrines were often built in thanksgivings for granted in prayers petitions, favours etc. It was not uncommon in Middle Ages, that both Kings and commoners appeared at shrines to pay homage to Our Lady and pray for special graces. Most of the pilgrims brought gifts to be put at the feet of Our Lady's statue for the purpose of reminding her of the affections and needs or gratitude of the devotee. For example, no sooner was the birth of the shortlived son of the King Henry the VIIIth announced in 1511 than Henry himself hurried to East Barsham Manor outside Walsingham. Removing his shoes, the King walked barefoot to the shrine to place a necklace on the statue of Our Lady in thanksgiving. Years later, as Henry lay dying, he was overheard bequeathing his soul into the care of Our Lady of Walsingham. During the Hundred years War (1337-1443), the Earl of Sussex left the silver statue of himself, fully armed and mounted on his horse, to remind Our lady of Walsingham that he was off to fight the French. According to legend, King Arthur carried the image of Mary painted on the inside of his shield so that he could see her when going into battle. Arthur returned later on to Glastonbury to buried under the protection of his beloved Mother of God.

Women too came with gifts for Mary, often leaving expensive girdles inscribed with the Magnificat, worn devoutly during the pregnancy to ensure safe delivery. All this was to change very soon. Cardinal Wolsey was placed in charge of King's attempt to obtain from the Pope an annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Wolsey failed to produce the desired result, and fell from grace. In 1532 Henry extracted from the convocation of Canterbury an agreement which surrendered to the Crown the freedom to legislate about the English Church. This precipitated the resignation of Thomas More, Wolsey's successor as chancellor. In 1534 the Supremacy of the Crown Act confirmed to Henry and his successors the title of 'the only supreme head in earth of the Church in England'. Gradually changes were wrought in public worship, and anything that remained of the ways of Rome was obliterated. The few men and women who stood out against the desecrations that followed met with torture and death. The majority of the population either retreated into silence or accepted the inevitable. By 1536 most of the small monasteries had gone, and by 1539 larger ones had suffered the same fate. The last monasteries surrendered in the spring of 1540. For three hundred years, the shrines of the Blessed Virgin in England remained untenanted. Meanwhile the courage and sacrifice of recusant families enabled countless 'ordinary' Catholics to persevere in their faith. After the 1829 Act of Catholic Emancipation, shrines began to reopen. In 1897, an official announcement from the Pope restored the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham at King's Lynn, prior to its eventual re-establishment at Walsingham itself. In the words of Pope Leo XIII, 'When England returns to Walsingham, Our Lady will return to England'. The lanes of Suffolk and Norfolk are filled once more with pilgrims who went their way to Walsingham, and many also to visit the East Anglian shrines of Clare, Sudbury and Ipswich, and the ruins of Thetford Priory. Nevertheless, scars of separation are still in evidence. Anglo-Catholic shrine was built by efforts of Fr Alfred Hope Patten in 1920. The stones from dismantled during Reformation monasteries were included in the walls of the shrine and the main altar includes stone from original altar of Walsingham Priory. There is a belief that the dream of Christian unity may be achieved through the shrines of Our Lady. Here we may read inspiring words of the pilgrim visiting the shrine: 'The walls seem to be impregnated with prayer: there appears to be a whisper of prayer breathing around the place and the walls seem to give out and to surround you with an atmosphere of prayer...The very stones appear to have been mesmerised by the prayer, and great the peace to be obtained here by prayer. (after Ann Veil 'Shrines of Our Lady in England')

No doubt few experiences in life can equal or even approach those which stir the soul of an appreciative and spiritually sensitive person beholding objects and scenes hallowed by Our Blessed Lord, His heavenly Mother, and his Saints. What could be more thrilling to such a person, or to any true Christian for that matter, than to press lips to the object marking the spot where the Incarnate God was born; to stand in the Upper Room where He shared the paschal table with His apostles for the last time and instituted the Most Blessed Eucharist; to kneel with the agonizing Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane? What could be more inspiring than to be at the very place where Our Lady of Fatima appeared to Lucy, Francesco, and Jacinta, or to enter the House of Loreto in which Holy Family lived for much of thirty years? What could be more stimulating that to tread on ground crimsoned by the blood of Christ's heroes and heroines in the Colloseum, the catacombs, and on the streets of Rome? Then appear before the enthralled pilgrim places of immortal fame - Siena of St Catherine, Assisi of St Francis, Lisieux of St Therese, Avila of St Teresa, Segovia of St John of the Cross. These experiences help to increase devotion and love of God and His Saints in very specific and powerful way and are often accompanied by special graces of granted prayers. These favours give a pilgrim 'bit of Heaven' which when realized by the innermost sanctuary of the soul it portrays its true meaning. Heaven being indescribable makes it easier for us to realize that we cannot completely understand nor explain the true joys of one's soul, when in union with the soul of the Church which is so far removed even from all earth's most sacred reliquaries. But nevertheless, these sacred shrines act as windows to the soul, permeating rays of celestial grandeur to absorb its very substance. So it would seem that first of all, the necessary element in making a pilgrimage is proper disposition of one's soul in order to fully receive the hidden graces and love of the Lord while being singularly favoured to venerate His Hallowed Shrines.

Shrines of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in England

2008-09-20T09:53:00.021+01:00

Please, bear with me, this is the project beginning and all is still 'under construction' - but as for now there are some readable information for those interested. There are more than sixty shrines of Our Lady in England and four of them are shrines of Our Lady of Mt Carmel associated with the Carmelite Priory at Aylesford, and also shrines in Lanherne, Doncaster, and Hartley. The Lanherne shrine is the oldest shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel established back in Penal times.

Lanherne ancient Manor House in a beautiful Cornish village of St Mawgan-in-Pydar set in Vale of Lanherne has always been the jewel of the village, and was endowed to the Carmelite nuns by the Arundells of Lanherne who lived there from the 13th to 18th centuries.

The original Chapel of Lanherne serves now as the Roman Catholic Parish Church. It is very small, built in the style of Louis XIV, with some highly decorative features including the Bathstone altar with carved medallions depicting the Agony in the Garden, the Crucifixion and the Last Supper. Of particular interest is the Arundell sanctuary lamp. Tradition claims that it has not been extinguished since pre-Reformation days. Lanherne is the oldest Carmel in England founded by Antwerp Carmel in 1619 under the care of Mother Anne of Jesus (Brussels) and Fr Thomas of Jesus, Provincial. There were two Carmels at Antwerp at this time: the Flemish one was founded by Mother Anne of St Bartholomew, where she still resided, and the English one at Antwerp-Hopland. This latter Carmel is now represented by the Carmel of Lanherne, Newquay, England. Mother Anne of St Bartholomew trained the first English Prioress, Mother Anne of the Ascension (Worsley). Close bonds of friendship united them to the end of their lives.

Ven Anne of Jesus, the chosen companion of the great St Teresa, being unable to go to Antwerp in person, sent two of her community to that City to open a Convent for English Carmelites. She was assisted financially in foundation work by Lady Mary Lovel. This lady, who was left a widow in 1616, had a great desire to help Catholics persecuted at Penal times in their own country. Lady Lovel, after seeking advice decided upon the establishment of an English Carmel in Flanders. Both St Teresa and Ven Anne of Jesus loved England, and there were already three English nuns in the Order: Anne Worsley - Sister Anne of the Ascension who was sub-Prioress at Mechlin; Teresa Ward - Sister Teresa of Jesus who has just returned to Mons after being sub-Prioress at Cracow (Poland) for six years, and Clare Leithwaite - Sister Clare of Jesus who entered at Louvain. These three were sent to the new convent at Antwerp which was established in that quarter of the city called Hopland, the site having been shown by the Blessed Virgin on three different occassions to Lady Lovel, Anne Worseley, and the Provincial of the Discalced Carmelite Friars.
The foundation flourished greatly, and before her death in 1644 the first Prioress, Anne Worsley, gave the habit to fifty ladies and sent filiations to Bois-le-Duc (later removed to Alost), Cologne (associated later with St Edith Stein), and Dusseldorf. The first Prioress, Teresa Ward, (sister of Mary Ward, the foundress of the "English Ladies" or Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary) made a foundation at Lierre, which is now Darlington. In 1687, a third English foundation was made at Hoogstraet, now the Carmelite Convent at Chichester. These three Carmels remained wholly English, but nuns from Antwerp made foundations and ruled as Prioresses, or filled other important offices in Munstereigel and Neuburg, as well as in Aix-la-Chapelle. And so for 175 years the work went on, as generation after generation of English women, many of noble birth, crossed the sea to Belgium, to learn at the feet of Our Lady of Mount Carmel the virtues of the inner life, the home of Nazareth. At length God willed that they should be transplanted to their own country. In 1794 the French revolutionary armies attacked Belgium for the second time, and the nuns had to flee the country. The Toleration Act of 1781 had brought an improvement in the status of Catholics in England, and by the passing of the Act, the oaths and declarations required of Catholics in previous reigns were no longer enforced, they were permitted to live in London, and religious worship was permitted in those Chapels which had been certified at the quarter sessions. On Sunday morning, June 29th, in company with the Augustinian nuns of Bruges they chartered a corn boat from Rotterdam and set sail for their native land. They arrived at Wapping on the 12th of July.The little party of nuns from Antwerp were entertained for some weeks in London by Mrs Tunstall at her house - 3 Orchard Street, Portman Sq, then through the kindness of Lord and Lady Arundell of Wardour the old Manor House of Lanherne was placed at their disposal.

On the 10th of September, 1794, the Mother Prioress Elizabeth Maddocks accompanied by twelve nens and three lay sisters took up their residence in that halllowed spot. The house, however, had fallen into state of disrepair through prolonged absence of its owners. Noble family of Arundell has always been dedicated and illustrious Catholics and suffered a lot during Penal times, the Manor House returned to the family some time before the nuns arrived and required a lot of refurbishment. One of the nuns shortly after their arrival from Antwerp wrote: "only three rooms were habitable, it was a place where smugglers hid their goods, having free ingress at all times, so much so that one of our sisters once met one of these gentlemen, to his great surprise." The repairs to the Convent, dedicated to St Joseph and St Anne, took several years, and it was not until February 27th, 1797, that the first plan of enclosure was drawn up by Dr. Walmsey, Bishop of Rama and Vicar Apostolic. After the alterations were completed, with what thankful hearts the sisters must have resumed their lives of prayer and penance in this historic spot, where the light of the true Faith has burned brightly through so many centuries of history.

The Convent Building.

The setting of the house alone would have brought peace and atonement; situated as it is on a little height at the end of one of the sweetest valleys in Cornwall; nestling among green fields and orchards, with a gallant band of age-old elms to screen it from the gaze of the passer-by. At the foot of the hill a little stream rustles its way through the ever-widening valley to the sea two miles distant. It is a rocky coast at Mowgan Parth, and in the winter, and on stormy nights, the roar of the great Atlantic breakers must often reach the ears of the nuns in their quiet retreat. But on a fine summer evening, when the waves roll in the slow and easy motion, and we retrace our steps up the valley, we find the cows standing knee deep in the pools of the stream, silently one or two anglers watch for the trout to dart from behind the boulders; the smell of thousands of small wild flowers hangs sweetly on the air, only the chirrup of crickets breaks the stillness, and the tiny breeze of sunset, which has accompanied us on our way, rippling the stream, and bending the lush grasses, dies away in a sigh among the aged elms standing sentinel before the Convent. And peace, the very peace of heaven it would seem, settles over the vale of Lanherne.

The entrance to the Convent, the old staircase, and the windows on the centre court inside the Convent are Elizabethan. Sir Christopher Wren refaced the building and in later days Bishop Vaughan caused considerable alterations to be made.

The Chapel.
As the Teresian Carmelites are strictly enclosed, the only part of the Convent open to the public is the comparatively modern chapel attached to the main building. The Chapel, small in dimension, is built in the style of Louis XIV with rich ornamentations, and contains a beautiful altar of Bath stone in the Gothic style; three exquisite medallions in the front of the altar represent the Sacrifice of Isaac, the Crucifixion, and the Last Supper; in the niches are finely sculptured figures representing Our Lady, St John the Baptist, St Anne, St Teresa, St Joseph, and the Angel Raphael. Pillars of marble and alabaster surmounted by four beautifully carved angels in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The nuns' choir is behind the grille on the left hand site of the Chapel facing the second altar. The old silver lamp burning before the Blessed Sacrament is the one which tradition claims has not been extinguished since pre-reformation days; it bears the crest of the Arundells - three swallows; "les hirondelles" was formerly a punning version of the name.

During September, 1895, the nuns kept the centenary of their arrival at Lanherne. Pontifical High Mass was sung by the Right Rev C. Graham DD (Coadjutor Bishop of Plymouth) in celebration of the event. On the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16th, 1919, they celebrated the third centenary of Antwerp foundation, the late Bishop of Plymouth (Rev. John Kelly) pontificating on this occasion. The convent Chapel serves as the parish church for the Catholics of Mowgan and the district, the beautiful neighbouring 13th century church having passed at the reformation into Anglican parish.

The Arundell aisle in this church remained for some years the property of that family and of the Convent, and ten of the Carmelite nuns are buried there.

The old Cross of Lanherne.

Near the chapel door, in what was formerly the nuns' burial ground, stands the four-holed cross of Lanherne. It is one of the most beautifully executed specimens of a decorated Celtic Cross in the country and is in a very good state of preservation. It is made of Pentewan stone, and it makes it softer and easier to work than granite. It was brought to Lanherne chapel many years ago from the field called "Chapel Close" on the Barton of Roseworthy in the parish of Gwinear near Camborne. It has inscriptions in Hiberno-Saxon characters possibly of the name of Bl Ide the Irish Martyr. The cross is very similat to the one set in the churchyard of St Ives (depicted below).

The Treasures of Lanherne
The most guarded treasure of Lanherne Convent was the skul of the Blessed Martyr, Cuthbert Mayne, Catholic convert and companion of St Edmund Campion at St John College in Oxford. He was ordained Catholic priest at Douai in 1575 and was martyred on November 29th 1577. He is one of Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

It was lent annually by the nuns, for the pilgrimage to Louceston, when this holy relic is carried in procession through the streets of the town. Among many valuable and ancient vestments, the Community prized especially the set of vestments worked by Lady Lovel for the opening of the Antwerp Carmel in 1619, and which were worn by the late Bishop of Plymouth at the celebration of the third centenary of the foundation in 1919. A fine oil painting of the Scourging of our Lord, attributed to Rubens, was brought over from Antwerp, the Reverend Mother carrying it rolled round her person during the nuns' flight from that town. The Community also possess portraits of ten of the English martyrs, which came to them through Miss Mary Gifford, of Staffordshire, in remarkable circumstances. The Carmel of Antwerp being at one time short of vocations, the nuns made a novena to the English Martyrs; shortly after miss Giffort presented herself; she was admitted, and in due course made her profession on April 8th, 1681, taking the name of Sister Mary of the English Martyrs. She brought with her to Antwerp the portraits of the Holy Martyrs with whom her own father had been for a time imprisoned for the Faith. On the eve of their execution he draw their portraits, and although he had never before done any drawing or painting, he succeded in a marvelous manner. Another member of the family - Margaret - entered the order much earlier; she was professed on June 17th, 1627, her name in religion being Sister Angela of the Holy Ghost.

In June 1914 a little band of sisters set out from Notting Hill Carmel to found the Carmel of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, in Eccleston, St. Helens. Interestingly, at least half of them were converts. The Community flourished and the peaceful rythm of Carmelite Life was lived with deep prayer. In the late eighties extensive dry rot was found in the old mansion house and so new living accommodation had to be built. The Chapel, Choir etc. which had been built at the time of the foundation were not affected. This new building led in time to the next stage in the history of the convent. In the Summer of 2001 the Carmel of Lanherne amalgamated with Carmel of St Helen.

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL, AYLESFORD PRIORY

More about the Priory HERE and HERE

BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF DONCASTER

To read history of the shrine please follow the link St Peter's in Chains RC Church webste

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF HARTLEY

According to Ann Veil the statue of Our Lady of Hartley is most reminiscent to the statue of Our Lady venerated at Lierre and of Montaigu in Beligum.

To read to shrine history please follow the
LINK