# Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
*2015-07-16*

> Bill Young leads a solemn prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel on her feast day, invoking her protection, grace, and intercession for the Church and all souls.

## Opening Invocation

O Mary, Mother and Splendor of Mount Carmel, on this solemn day we raise our prayers to you with childlike trust, asking for your protection. Holy Virgin Mary, turn your gaze toward us and give us the strength to overcome the difficulties of our lives.

## The Meaning of Mount Carmel

The title of today’s feast recalls the place chosen by God to reconcile with his people. Mount Carmel is where the prophet Elijah prayed for rain, and God answered with a small cloud that grew to cover the sky—a sign of divine forgiveness. In that cloud we see you, O Virgin Mary, rising pure from the sea of sinful humanity, and with Christ generously pouring blessings upon the earth.

## Traditional Prayer to Our Lady

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope. To you we cry, children of Eve; we lift up our sighs, mourning in the valley of tears. Turn, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O loving, sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

## Consecration and the Scapular

We recognize, O Mother, the scapular of Mount Carmel as a sign of our devotion and a spiritual protection against the enemies of the soul. In moments of temptation and danger, may the thought of you and your love draw us back to the right path. We renew the ancient commitment of our forefathers to live in veneration of Christ and to serve Him faithfully.

## Petitions for the Church and All Souls

Bless Pope Francis, the bishops, priests, and all who follow Christ in religious life. Bless those suffering spiritual poverty and the difficulties of life. Enlighten troubled souls, warm hearts, sustain those who wear the scapular, and pray for the souls in purgatory. Grant us grace to keep from sin, freedom from evil, and the blessings we ask for ourselves and our loved ones.

## Closing Prayer

May the hymn of thanksgiving and praise rise eternally in the happiness of heaven. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Bless us, O Mother, and bless the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

*Our Lady of Mount Carmel intercedes for us, inviting us to trust in her maternal care and to renew our commitment to Christ.*