THE SOLEMN FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Sunday, July 16th
“The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, instituted in the 14th century by the Carmelite order commemorates the anniversary of the day in 1251 when the Blessed Mother gave the brown scapular to Saint Simon Stock. ‘Even now, centuries removed from that original experience and even in places where there are no Carmelites, this holy scapular is still seen as a sign of Mary’s protection and a sign that continues to call people and make them feel that they are the beloved children of the Virgin Mary’ (Saint Paul VI). Our Lady invites us to imitate her in a contemplative union with Jesus. ‘Mary was the first, in a way which can never be equaled, to believe and experience that Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the summit, the peak of man’s encounter with God’ (Pope Benedict XVI). ‘Ask the Most Holy Virgin to be your guide; to be your star, the lantern that shines for you amid the darkness of your life. Let’s have enough character to be true children of Mary. We will witness to this if we’re obedient, even as our Lord Jesus Christ obeyed because that was his Father’s will. Our thinking should be what is suitable for a child of Mary. Let us never allow ourselves to be defeated but to have recourse to the Most Holy Virgin when we see we’re in danger of giving in’ (Saint Teresa of the Andes).” SOURCE: Magnificat, July 2022
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Exodus 1:8-14, 22; Matthew 10:34−11:1
Tuesday Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24
Wednesday Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Matthew 11:25-27
Thursday Exodus 3:13-20; Matthew 11:28-30
Friday Exodus 11:10−12:14; Matthew 12:1-8
Saturday Song of Songs 3:1-4b; John 20:1-2, 11-18
Saint Mary Magdalene (Feast) – With some other women, Mary traveled with Jesus and the apostles during his ministry. Her great love for Jesus was expressed when she faithfully stood near the cross after the other disciples fled. She became the first witness to the resurrection. She became the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ when she announced this mystery to them. SOURCE: Living with Christ, July 2023Feas