I am publishing this beautiful prayer in its entirety in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (Artwork is Bray's "Still Life with Symbols of the Blessed Virgin Mary," courtesy of Idle Speculations. The symbols are the rose, rosary and rosemary, the thurible and the crown.) Today on the internet a priest labeled the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, an approved sacramental of the Church, as being superstitious. This opened the way for others to ridicule the holy scapular, a symbol of consecration to Mary. I will not link to the post; it is not good to spread impiety. (What Catholic devotional practice will be mocked next? Relics, perhaps?)
Kontakion 1
To you, our Champion Leader, the Enclosed Garden and sacred Temple of the Most Holy Trinity, do we come seeking your Motherly Protection against all adversities. Having been called to the Holy Mountain of Carmel, we behold in awe and praise unceasingly its most beautiful Flower, the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley that gave birth to God the Word as the true Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, singing:
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Ikos 1
Your Holy Prophet Elias saw you pre-figured in the light cloud upon which the Heavenly Dew came down to make fruitful the dryness of our souls. Empowered by the Spirit in the two-part mantle of your Protection, the prophet calls all to the Holy Mountain of the Lord, crying:
Rejoice, Summit of Divine Joy!
Rejoice, Height of Heavenly Radiance!
Rejoice, Peak of Holiness and Perfection!
Rejoice, Gentle Cloud on which Christ descended to earth!
Rejoice, Golden Fleece bringing the Dew of Spiritual Refreshment!
Rejoice, Desert Rock flowing with the Waters of Salvation!
Rejoice, Unmoveable Wall of Protection!
Rejoice, bestowing on us your Mantle of spiritual defence!
Rejoice, our good defence at the dread judgement seat of Christ!
Rejoice, Never-fading Bloom!
Rejoice, Ever-Fragrant Rose!
Rejoice, Most Pure Lily!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 2
Your prophet, Elias, performed many wonders with the miraculous Cloak that he wore upon his shoulders as a Mantle of Protection. By it, God deigned to place a guard in front of him and at his back by which the darts of the evil one and all his temptations are put to flight. Made of the hide of a dead animal, Elias was reminded by it that we must be dead to the world in order to be alive to God, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
O Most Holy Mother of God, we rejoice in God our Saviour Who covers us with the Divine Protection of your prayers. Pondering your great benevolence in granting us a visible symbol, so like the Mantle of Elias, of your great care for us as the Body of Christ and our true spiritual Mother, we cry out:
Rejoice, Heavenly Mantle clothing us in the Power of the Spirit!
Rejoice, making unseen our spiritual nakedness and weakness!
Rejoice, for we are made happy under the wings of your Protection!
Rejoice, for in your Scapular, God has clothed us in the garments of salvation!
Rejoice, for you have wrapped us in the Cloak of integrity!
Rejoice, for we have become like a bridegroom wearing his wreath!
Rejoice, for we are like brides adorned in her jewels!
Rejoice, for through you the Spirit of the Lord is given to us!
Rejoice, for by you the Lord anoints us!
Rejoice, for He sends us, your children, to bring good news to the poor!
Rejoice, for you give us a commission to bind up hearts that are broken!
Rejoice, for we are enlivened to proclaim a year of favor from the Lord!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 3
Your holy Prophet of Carmel, Elias struck the waters with his Mantle and the water divided left and right so that both Elias and Eliseus could cross over the river dry-shod. Eliseus begged his teacher, Elias, for a double share of his spirit and, in response, Elias said, "If you see me while I am being taken from you, it shall be as you ask." Pondering God's unknowable ways, we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
A chariot of fire appeared taking the Prophet Elias to heaven in a whirlwind. Eliseus grabbed hold of Elias' Mantle, shouting: My father! Chariot of Israel and its chargers! And the Mantle of Elias, torn in two, fell back on the shoulders of Eliseus. Bowing before this mystery that prefigured the Divine Incarnation, we cry:
Rejoice, Chariot of Fire, on which the Saviour of the world came down to us!
Rejoice, Unburning Bush in Whom God the Uncontained was contained!
Rejoice, New Ark of the Covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Rejoice, for meditating on your Ascent to the Lord after your Dormition, we receive a double share of your Protection!
Rejoice, for by it you cover our hearts against fiery darts!
Rejoice, for by it you cover us front and back and place your hand over us!
Rejoice, for your Prophet Elias foretold your coming in a cave on Mount Carmel!
Rejoice, for you fulfilled his prophecy, filling us with unspeakable joy!
Rejoice, for you are the Star of the Sea, guiding us into a Divine safe-harbor!
Rejoice, for you put on us the swaddling-clothes of Divine Grace!
Rejoice, for your Divine Son bequeaths you to us as our Most Holy Mother!
Rejoice, for you fill us with the Wine of Astonishment!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Spendour of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 4
The Divine Prophet Ezekiel foretold the blessing of your Mantle of Protection, o Most Holy Mother of Carmel, in your Scapular when he cried: "I spread part of my cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I bound myself by oath, I made a covenant with you - it is the Lord who speaks - and you became mine." Pondering the Divine mysteries of long ago, we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
We join with the Prophet Ezekiel in pondering the rich treasury of Grace that your most holy Mantle of Carmel sends down on us who have put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Praying unceasingly for your intercession before the Throne of Almighty God, we cry:
Rejoice, for through you God has bathed us in water, and anointed us with oil!
Rejoice, for through you God has given us a cloak of heavenly silk!
Rejoice, for He has bestowed on us a necklace for our throats!
Rejoice, for you have put on us a Divine diadem on our head!
Rejoice, for by you we are loaded with spiritual gold and silver!
Rejoice, for you place on us fine linen with embroidery!
Rejoice, for your food is the finest flour, honey and oil!
Rejoice, for you grow more and more beautiful!
Rejoice, for you rose to be Queen of Heaven and Earth!
Rejoice, for the fame of your beauty is throughout the nations!
Rejoice, for the Lord Himself has clothed you with His own splendor!
Rejoice, for it is the Lord Himself that has made you perfect!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven, and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 5
The Apostle to the Gentile, Saint Paul, foretold your Divine Mantle of Protection, O Most Holy Mother of Carmel, when he proclaimed that we are to clothe ourselves with the new man. We are emboldened in this struggle for we have your maternal love and constant intercession to help us, as we cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
O Most Holy Mother of Carmel, having learned the truth in the Lord Jesus, the Apostle to the Gentiles calls us to give up all illusory desires and cling, instead, to the Way of God, that is goodness and holiness of truth. Taking hold of our high calling as sharers in the Royal Priesthood of Christ, we sing:
Rejoice, for your Mantle reminds us that we have put on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rejoice, for your Grace aids us in making no provision for the flesh!
Rejoice, for we live protected under the wings of your Cloak of sure defence!
Rejoice, for you renew in us our minds in conformity with that which is in your Son!
Rejoice, O Guide in the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Rejoice, for you, the Enclosed Garden, grant us Divine flowers of grace!
Rejoice, for you make us grow strong in the Lord!
Rejoice, for you pray for us day and night!
Rejoice, for you are our constant aid!
Rejoice, O Mountain Unquarried!
Rejoice, O Rock Unhewn!
Rejoice, O Mother of the Cornerstone!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 6
The Apostle admonishes us to put on the armor of God to resist the tactics of the evil one. Your scapular, O Most Holy Mother of God, encircles us with Divine protection. By it, we are made strong, as the great spiritual strugglers of the desert, in vanquishing the wiles of the devil, singing unceasingly: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
It is not against human enemies that we struggle, but against sovereignties and powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil, as the Apostle warns us. Relying on God's armor, signified by your Scapular of Mount Carmel, O Mother of the Redeemer, we sing:
Rejoice, Most Holy General, commanding us with unfailing spiritual strategy!
Rejoice, Leader in the day of battle, assisting us to hold our ground!
Rejoice, bestower of spiritual resources in our constant struggle with evil!
Rejoice, buckling truth around our waist!
Rejoice, granting us a breastplate of integrity!
Rejoice, putting on us the shoes of spiritual eagerness for the Gospel!
Rejoice, giving us the shield of faith!
Rejoice, defending us against the fiery arrows of the evil one!
Rejoice, placing on us the helmet of salvation!
Rejoice, arming us with the Sword of the Spirit!
Rejoice, empowering us with the Word of God!
Rejoice, inspiring us in the constant invocation of the Name of Jesus!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 7
A woman suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years and spent all her money on useless medicines. Seeing your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, she said to herself, "If I can touch even the edge of His garment, I shall be healed." Touching it with faith, the woman immediately felt herself to be cured. Awed by the great power and love for mankind of your Son, O Most Holy Mother of God, we cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Your Son immediately felt His Healing Power go out of him and asked who it was that touched him, even though there were many crowds pressing Him on all sides. Approaching with fear, the woman fell in humility before Him to receive His words of consolation that her faith had restored her health. Joining with her in thanking our Lord, we sing:
Rejoice, for your Mantle of Protection heals with Grace all who touch it with faith!
Rejoice, for the Lord Jesus has wrought many miracles by it to this day!
Rejoice, for by it you strengthen our faith!
Rejoice, for you clothe us with a powerful sign!
Rejoice, for we reach out to your Mantle in hope!
Rejoice, for you never leave us without your help!
Rejoice, for your Mantle resounds in the four corners of the earth!
Rejoice, for its four corners signify the Gospels of your Son!
Rejoice, for its fringes symbolize the dripping Oil of Gladness!
Rejoice, for the Oil of Compunction has bedewed us to the very edges of the garment!
Rejoice, for it is like the dew of Hermon!
Rejoice, for it descends upon the Mountains of Zion where the Lord commanded the blessing - life forevermore.
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 8
O Most Holy Mother of God, your servant, Simon, lived in a hollow oak tree at Aylesford in England, serving the Lord and praying to you night and day. Afflicted by the temptation to despair, he prayed all the more, begging your quick intercession and sure assistance. Joining with him, we confidently sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Your servant, Saint Simon of the Tree Stock, was shown to be another Melodist in praising you and invoking your motherly Protection as the Sovereign Lady of Mount Carmel. Having won your favour, he rejoiced to have his prayers answered by you, his only hope after God. Bowing our heads in praying with him, we too hymn:
Rejoice, Childbearing yet maiden, with none who equals you!
Rejoice, Mother so tender, bestowing your favors on Carmel's children!
Rejoice, O strong Stem of Jesse, Star of the Sea!
Rejoice, Who bore the Bright Flower!
Rejoice, Purest of Lilies that flowers among thorns!
Rejoice, bringing help to the heart that in weakness turns to you!
Rejoice, Strongest of armor with might invincible!
Rejoice, calling to thee from under your Mantle!
Rejoice, Unfailing counsel to those who trust in you!
Rejoice, O Gentle Mother who in Carmel reigns!
Rejoice, Sharing with your servants the gladness that you gained!
Rejoice, Gate of Heaven, who with glory is now crowned!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 9
Your holy servant, Saint Simon of the Stock, was granted to see you, O Most Holy Mother of God, extending over him and over the entire family of Mount Carmel, your Mantle of Protection. Placing on themselves the brown Scapular as a sign of this, your seal and sign of your Protection, your children in Carmel glory in the unfailing protection of your prayers at the Throne of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in life and in death. Awed by this revealed sign of salvation and protection, we sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
The brown colour of your scapular, Most Holy Mother of God, teaches us that we must remain dead to the world and in constant prayer as we shall return to the dust of the earth. Its white color symbolizes the purity of holiness that all your children are to partake of as they ascend up the Holy Mountain of Carmel. Clothed with the majesty of your protection and constant intercession, we sing:
Rejoice, for thus speaks the Wisdom of God!
Rejoice, for you love those who love and honor you!
Rejoice, for those who seek you eagerly will find you!
Rejoice, for with you are riches and honor!
Rejoice, for you grant wealth and justice!
Rejoice, for the Fruit you give is better than gold, even the finest!
Rejoice, for the return you make is better than pure silver!
Rejoice, for you walk in the way of virtue!
Rejoice, for your travel the paths of justice!
Rejoice, for you enrich all your children!
Rejoice, for you fill them up with your treasuries!
Rejoice, for you bring us to the land of Carmel to eat its fruits and good things!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 10
At the Wedding at Cana in Galilee, the young couple ran to your intercession upon seeing they were without wine. The Lord Jesus deigned to give us a memorial for all times concerning the power of your intercession with Him, and adhered to your will, even though His time for miracles had not yet come. Marveling at the condescension of the Son of God in granting you every favor on our behalf, we gratefully hymn: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
It is through you, O Most Holy Mother of God, that we receive the Mystic Wine that drips from the Divine Cluster fastened to the Precious Cross of our Salvation. As at the Wedding in Cana, you always teach us to do all that the Lord Jesus tells us, listening to His Words and, with ready wills, hastening to fulfill His commandments. Glorifying God Who came to us through you, we sing:
Rejoice, Ladder on which the Son of God came down to earth!
Rejoice, for on that same Ladder we are brought up to Him in Heaven!
Rejoice, for in your Womb was contained Christ the Uncontainable!
Rejoice, Field of rich, black earth in which grew the Untilled Wheat!
Rejoice, Woman clothed with the Sun!
Rejoice, for you have crushed the serpent under your feet!
Rejoice, for you bear a Crown of Twelve Stars upon your head!
Rejoice, for Divine Grace flows from your hands!
Rejoice, for through you we have Communion of the Most Precious and Most Holy Body and Blood of your Son, Christ our God!
Rejoice, through whom God saved sinful humanity!
Rejoice, for you are the Gate through which all the righteous enter!
Rejoice, for Christ grants every request that you make on our behalf!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 11
Your holy Mount of Carmel has become a spiritual garden in which saintly seeds have taken firm root, O Mother of God! Originally gathered around the Spring of Elias near the Shrine he established in honour of you as the "Mother of the Messiah to come," your children of Carmel have gone into the entire world as preachers of your Mantle of Protection and of you as she who ponders the Gospel in her heart. And we ponder these things in our own hearts, as we quietly intone: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Those who have eaten and taken their fill of the Divine Fruits of holiness and grace in the Garden of Carmel, O Most Holy Mother, have received great spiritual vibrancy and energy for the spread of the Gospel of your Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amazed at the great things you have inspired your saints to do for the building up of the Body of Christ, we sing:
Rejoice, who was foretold by the Prophets Elias and Eliseus!
Rejoice, who called Albert the Patriarch to bring together your children on Carmel!
Rejoice, Consolation of Simon of the Stock!
Rejoice, Joy of all Joys of Brocard!
Rejoice, Fortitude of Denis and Redemptus!
Rejoice, Rapture of Angelus!
Rejoice, Inspiration of John of the Cross!
Rejoice, Mainstay of Teresa of Avila!
Rejoice, Love of Therese of Lisieux!
Rejoice, Strength of Edith Stein!
Rejoice, Spiritual Vision of Elizabeth of the Trinity!
Rejoice, Mantle of Protection of all your children of Carmel!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 12
Your Mantle of Protection through your scapular is extended to all your servants who come to your assistance throughout the world, O Most Holy Mother of Carmel. Its brown and white colours remind all of them to be dead to the world so as to be alive in Christ for God. We all have your intercession to be our light in a world filled with darkness and we praise you exceedingly, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Emboldened with the emblem of your constant, heavenly Protection, O Mother of Carmel, we invoke your aid in all our spiritual struggles and for the entire Church that is the Body of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We wear your scapular as a reminder of your very arms placed lovingly on us as we go forth to fulfill Christ's commandments and His Divine Will for our salvation and that of the entire world. Ever looking to you with faith and love as our true Mother, we exclaim:
Rejoice, O Helper in all our necessities!
Rejoice, O Holy Mountain that leads us up to Heaven!
Rejoice, O Rock uncleft from which flow the Divine Watersprings!
Rejoice, O Guide in all adversities, quickly freeing us from them!
Rejoice, O Foundation of all our hope!
Rejoice, O Precious Gift to us by Christ from the Cross!
Rejoice, Who works miracles still through your wonder-working Icons!
Rejoice, for your Icon of Mount Carmel at Naples flows healing for all!
Rejoice, for even holy copies of your Icon throughout the world drenches all with the wondrous Dew from Heaven!
Rejoice, for as at Constantinople, you cover us with your Mantle of Protection against the foes of the City of God!
Rejoice, for you are our sure hope!
Rejoice, for we will not cease to invoke you until we have entered the Gates of Paradise!
Rejoice, O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Splendor of Heaven and Fruitful Vine richly laden with Blossoms Divine!
Kontakion 13
O Most Holy Mother of God of Mount Carmel! Accept from us, your sinful children, this little hymn of praise. Cover us with your Mantle of Protection and grant us the grace to wear your holy Scapular of Mount Carmel always, praying unceasingly to the Lord Jesus and to you. May we become beacons of the Light bearing good works to draw the world to Christ and His Holy Church, glorifying the Father Who is in Heaven. May we become your worthy children and servants of our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as we are guided by you up the Mountain to the Throne of His Divine Glory, where we will join with you in singing the eternal hymn of praise: Alleluia! (three times)
(Ikos 1 and Kontakion I are read here once more).
Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
We come to you, Most Holy Mother of God, to praise you and to ask that all those who place themselves under the Mantle of your Protection in the Holy Scapular of Carmel may be clothed in Christ by the Grace of the Holy Spirit.
May we who wear the Scapular put on the Lord Jesus Christ by being living members of the family of Carmel by our prayers, sacrifices, struggles and good works. May we be clothed with your virtues, O Most Holy Virgin Mary, as we listen to the Word of God and live it daily. May we be enlightened in contemplation, joyous in community and most zealous in the service of others in Christ.
O Most Holy Mother of God! By your intercession may we who wear the Scapular lead our lives in such a way that we will always be ready to enter into the assembly of the Saints, wearing the Bridal Clothes of those who rejoice eternally at the Table of the Divine Bridegroom.
For you are the Queen who stands at His Right Hand, whose glory is all within and whose clothing is woven with gold. It is God Himself Who has made your name to be remembered in all generations and His people shall praise you forever! Amen.
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8 comments:
And thanks to Don Marco for sending me this magnificent prayer.
I saw the postyou refer to, I have been wanting to post on the scapular myself, maybe later. Thanks for this post!
Alas, because of the lack of catechesis, sacramentals are poorly understood by many of those who use them and their critics.
http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/
2007/06/superstition.html
I assume this is the post.
You DELETED me! You deleted ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you -that is so beautiful!
I read the post...I was quite suprised...
So was I. I am beginning to wish that converts would not go on and on about something they obviously either do not understand, or know nothing about. It only causes confusion and they end by making themselves look foolish.
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