NOVENA FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL (From July 7th to 15th; Feast day: July 16th)
This feast normally comes up on the 16th of July to commemorate the favours granted by Our Lady of Mount Carmel to all devotees of the Brown Scapular. A nine day novena is usually observed for the feast and it starts on the 7th and ends on the 15th of the same month (July). On the 16th of July, members should be enrolled into the Scapular Confraternity. Members’ petitions should be placed on Our Lady’s Altar
Prayer-Outline:
(i) Opening Hymn: Ave Maria, O maiden, O Mother
(ii) Invocation of the Holy Spirit
(iii) Rosary (5 decades)
(iv) Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(v) Novena Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (See Below)
(vi) Prayer of St. Simon Stock. (See Below)
(vii) Talk on the Brown Scapular
(viii) Closing Prayer
(ix) Closing Hymn
NOVENA PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
O Most Blessed and Immaculate Virgin, Ornament and splendour of Carmel. You who regard with an eye of special kindness those who wear your blessed habit look down in kindness on us and cover us with the mantle of your special protection: strengthen our weakness with your power and enlighten the darkness of our minds with your wisdom. Increase in us faith, hope and charity. Adorn our souls with your graces and blessings as will ever be pleasing to your Divine Son and to you.
Assist us in life and console us in death with your most amiable presence and present us to the most Holy Trinity as your devoted servants and children that we may eternally bless and praise your Divine Son in heaven. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. SIMON STOCK
O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help and protect me, and show me herein you are my Mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and, Earth, I humbly beseech you to succour me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Sweet Mother, I place this course in your hands (3 times). (Pause here to mention your petition for the novena).
LITURGICAL PRAYER
Father, may the prayers of the Virgin Mary protect us and help us to reach Christ Her Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
V: O Mary conceived without sin.
R: Pray for us who have recourse to thee
V:Mother and ornament of Carmel
R: Pray for us.
V: Virgin flower of Carmel
R: Pray for us
V: Patroness of all who wear the scapular
R: Pray for us
V: St. Joseph our patron
R: Pray for us
V: O Sweet Heart of Mary
R: Be our salvation
(vii) Brief Talk on Brown Scapular and Meditation
(viii) Closing Prayer: We fly to your patronage
(ix) Closing Hymn: Hail thou star of ocean/My soul now glorifies.
NB: This Novena is recommended for those preparing for consecration and enrolment.