Mary’s presence pervades…

The Early Hermits on Mount Carmel built a little chapel dedicated to Mary in the midst of their cells. They honoured her as sister, lady and mistress, the “Lady of the Place”. They were called by her name, Brothers of St Mary of Mount Carmel. We too are called after Mary. She is in our midst too. Her presence pervades every aspect of our contemplative life. We are clothed in her habit and our brown scapular is a sign of her motherly protection. Mary is our model in pondering the Word of God: “Your word filled her heart and inspired all her actions” (Preface of Our Lady of Mt Carmel). She draws us into the mysteries of the life of Jesus through the daily liturgy and personal prayer, especially the rosary. We long to imitate Mary’s life of faith, hope and love, lived out in the simplicity of Nazareth. The Gospel for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is John 19:25-27. With John, we receive the gift of our Mother Mary from the dying Jesus and make a place for her in our hearts. As contemplatives, we too are called to stand in solidarity near our suffering sisters and brothers who share in the Cross of Jesus today. We end every day with an anthem to Mary… placing ourselves in all our fragility beneath her mantle. A mother’s reassuring arc of love enfolds each of her children. < BACK BEGINNING >