Sunday, July 16, 2017

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (and of the Carmelite scapular) -- 16 July



O Flower of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendor of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee. 
Mother so tender,
Who no man didst know,
On Carmel’s children
Thy favors bestow,
Star of the Sea. 
Strong stem of Jesse,
Who bore one bright flower,
Be ever near us
And guard us each hour,
who serve thee here. 
Purest of lilies,
That flowers among thorns,
Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness turns
and trusts in thee. 
Strongest of armor,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press’d in the fight,
we call to thee. 
Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
Thou givest to those
who turn to thee. 
O gentle Mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with thy children
That gladness thou gained'st
and now enjoy. 
Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
true joy to see.

The Flos Carmeli, composed by St Simon Stock

More on Our Lady, the brown Carmelite scapular, and the Order of Carmel here.



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