HISTORY OF THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

The solemn liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was held for the first time in England around the 14th century. The Brown Scapular, the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, has been the center of this widespread devotion since the 15th century. According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary gave the scapular to Saint Simon Stock, an early Carmelite. Among historians, it’s been a subject of debate as to whether Saint Stock saw the Blessed Virgin Mary and the scapular in his vision. Even though Saint Simon Stock was never formally canonized, the church observes his feast day. In 1951, the Aylesford Carmelite convent in England underwent restoration and kept a relic of Saint Simon Stock there. His feast is held in places where he’s honored.

A document purported to be a letter from Saint Simon Stock’s secretary, Peter Swanington, from the 13th century was published in 1642 by a Carmelite monk ― Fr. John Cheron. Historians have concluded that this letter was faked in the early 20th century, most likely by Cheron himself. On July 16, people celebrate the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The goal of this feast is to express gratitude to Virgin Mary ― the patroness. The chosen date, July 17, conflicted with the feast of St. Alexis on the European mainland, necessitating a change to July 16, which continues to be the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the Roman Calendar of the Catholic Church.