Today we keep the Feast of Our Lady as Queen of Carmel...
From Old Testament times Carmel was seen as the mountain of prayer and contemplation, the place of encounter with God and longing for the Messiah. The Prophet Elijah spent time here and there founded a brotherhood of prophets, later Christian hermits gathered there and began the Carmelite Order seeking the way of Contemplation through the intercession of Mary as Queen of Carmel. Over the centuries the Carmelite family has given to the Church some of its greatest masters of prayer, meditation and the contemplative way. St.'s Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux, Teresea Benedicta, (all depicted in the Icon above), and so many others continue to lead us to the heights of prayer and trust in the mercy and love of God.
Our Franciscan family has great ties to Carmel as both communities have enriched each other over the years.
(The franciscan mystics St. Peter of Alcantara and Brother Francis deOsima were the spiritual directors to St. Teresa of Avila for example!)
Today, with the Carmelite family, we once again place ourselves and our prayer life under the patronage of Mary who calls us to the heights of prayer, to the heights of Carmel...
Below is the beautiful antiphon sung to Our Lady of Carmel, the Flos Carmeli:
Flower of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendour of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee.
Mother so tender,
Who no man didst know,
On Carmel's children
Thy favours 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 armour,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight,
we call to thee.
Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
who turn to thee.
O gentle Mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
and now enjoy.
Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
true joy to see.
O Flower of Carmel!
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