# Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
*2015-07-07*

> Bill Young commemorates the martyrdom of Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and his companions before beginning the first day of a novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

## Remembering Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz

Today is Tuesday, July 7th, the feast day of Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and his companions. Emmanuel was from Spain and became a priest and missionary in Damascus, Syria, during the 19th century. He faced many struggles, similar to those Christians face today in the Middle East and around the world, where they must proclaim their love for Jesus Christ in the face of persecution.

In 1860, Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and his companions were tortured and martyred because they refused to convert to Islam. We ask for their intercession and pray for all Christians today who live in those areas and must courageously proclaim their faith.

## Beginning the Novena

Today we begin a novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which will be prayed from July 7th through July 15th. We open our prayer with the Sign of the Cross, the invocation to the Holy Spirit, the Glory Be, and the Apostles' Creed, affirming our belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

## Prayers to the Queen of Mount Carmel

We turn to the Virgin Mary, the matriarch of all graces, who manifests her special motherly protection through the Holy Scapular. By wearing this sign of protection, we strive to show ourselves as her true children. We ask the Queen of Mount Carmel to call us to a life of modesty, sacrifice, prayer, and consecration to her Immaculate Heart, so that we may be an example to our brothers and sisters.

Mother of Mount Carmel, you promised your help in the face of all danger to those who wear your scapular, including the grace of being saved from hell and being freed quickly from purgatory. We pray that we may be among those who receive these favors and graces, so that we may be praised and thanked in heaven.

## Seeking the Peak of the Mountain

Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel, you are united in a wonderful way to the Lord in the mystery of the Redemption. You accepted and kept the word of God in your heart and persevered in prayer with the apostles while awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

O Mysterious Star of Mount Carmel, enlighten us and guide us in the way of perfect love. Encourage us to complete the path of the Lord. We ask for the protection of the Holy Scapular to light our way so that we may reach the peak of the mountain, which is Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.

*Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the sign of the scapular, we are guided toward the ultimate goal of our faith: Jesus Christ.*