July Liturgical Calendar Download
Do you have a namesake or a nickname? It might sound like an odd question, yet it’s something so common in our society. Often, parents choose proper names for their children based on how they might shorten them — Matthew to Matt, Timothy to Timmy, Stephanie to Steph, etc. For others, formal names might be a family tradition or tribute to someone special.
Similarly, have you ever pondered the various names associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary? Ask a non-Catholic (or even a convert) and he or she might not know Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and so on, are interchangeable names for the beloved mother of Jesus. Mary has many titles that showcase details about her impact on others throughout history.
On July 16, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC), which provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on Mary’s most precious virtues. Specifically, we recall the gifts she’s given through apparitions and visions that share how she continues to bless and protect believers all over the world. It’s recorded that a 12th-century Carmelite community existed in northern Israel on the religious mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea where Elijah contested those worshipping false idols. Detailed in 1 Kings 20-40, the prophet “battled” the priests of Baal to see whose god could successfully set fire to a holocaust offering. After drenching his own wood with a dozen buckets of water, Elijah called upon the Lord to reveal His majesty, and He answered. On that mount, Elijah won over the hearts of the non believers and showcased Christ’s response to our prayerful petitions.
There’s so much more to learn about the history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, but to get the most out of this Catholic celebration, one might choose to wear a Scapular, pray the rosary with a special intention or recommit to living a life similar to Mary, which requires an openness to God’s will, wholehearted trust and constant awareness of God’s presence in all aspects of life. If you have special plans for this feast day, I’d love to hear about them over on Instagram.
Our new Scapular medal is available for preorder. For those who are unable to wear a brown wool scapular, the medal version is a great alternative! This vintage Scapular was sourced from Belgium and recast in the USA in yellow bronze and sterling silver.
