Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Optional Memorial. On this day in 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, in Aylesford, England, entrusting the brown scapular to him. Under this title, the Carmelites venerate the Mother of God, for it was on Mount Carmel that the Prophet Elijah beheld the small cloud that represented Her. On this Mount the Carmelite Order has its earliest roots, being first constituted by hermits dedicated to contemplation. See also: The Eliatic Mark and Devotion to Mary
Featured Saints
St. Athenogenes, bishop and martyr (†c. 305). Sofreu o terrível martírio de ser queimado vivo, após ter deixado aos seus a herança de um hino sobre a divindade do Espírito Santo.
St. Mary Magdalen Postel, virgin (†1846). During the French Revolution, she used her goods to help the sick and the faithful. After peace was established, she founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Mercy in Saint-Sauveur-leVicomte, France.
St. Teresa Zhang Hezhi, martyr (†1900). Executed by lances along with her two sons during the Boxer persecution in China for refusing to adore local divinities.
Blessed Aimée of Jesus de Gordon, virgin, and companions, martyrs (†1794). Having refused to abandon religious life, they were condemned and guillotined in Orange during the French Revolution.
Blessed Ermengard, abbess (†866). Great-granddaughter Charlemagne; while still young, she abandoned the splendours of the court to enter the Monastery of Chiemsee, Bavaria, of which she became abbess.
Blessed Bartholomew of the Martyrs, bishop (†1590). Dominican religious elected Archbishop of Braga, Portugal; he wrote various spiritual and theological works.
Blesseds André de Soveral, priest, and Domingos Carvalho, layman, martyrs (†1645). Massacred by Dutch Calvinist soldiers close to Natal, Brazil, as Fr. André, a Jesuit, was celebrating Mass.
Blesseds John Sugar, priest, and Robert Grissold, layman, martyrs (†1604). Tortured and killed during the reign of James I of England, the first for having exercised the priestly ministry in England, and the second for assisting him.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Zec 2:14-17
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all, in the presence of the LORD!
for he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
Responsorial Psalm – Lk 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55 (R.49)
R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
or:
R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” R.
“For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.” R.
“He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.” R.
“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.” R.
“He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.” R.
Gospel – Mt 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you.”
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
