Our Lady of Mount Carmel Has Her Own Shrine Right Here In The U.S.A.
Have you called your mother lately?
No, I don't mean your biological mother (though, seriously, you should call her!) but rather Mother Mary, who is always ready to intercede on our behalf.
Not only is Mary available via prayer, but she has also appeared to many saints throughout history, including Mount Carmel in Israel:
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a revered title of the Virgin Mary as the patroness of the Carmelite Order, which started on the historical Mount Carmel. The devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is linked to the 12th-century hermit monks who lived on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land and dedicated a chapel to her.
Central to this devotion is the Brown Scapular, a sacramental sign of protection Mary gave to Saint Simon Stock on July 16, 1251. The scapular signifies her promise to safeguard the faithful who dedicate themselves to her son, Jesus Christ.
Celebrated annually on July 16, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel highlights Mary's role as a spiritual mother who offers guidance and protection.
In honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and her Feast Day, let's take a pilgrimage to her Shrine in Middletown, New York:
Founded "to encourage and perpetuate devotion to Mary and her scapular under the special title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel," the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a beautiful oasis dedicated to prayer, meditation, and - of course - Mother Mary.
Housed on 60 acres, the National Shrine offers everything pilgrims need to deepen their faith, including a meditation garden, saints walk, stations of the cross, and numerous statues.
In addition to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Shrine houses other indoor shrines, a la Saint Patrick, the Infant of Prague, and Saint Therese.
What's a pilgrimage without mass, confession, and various special events? The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has those, too, with mass celebrated Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. and Sundays at noon.
Please note: Confession is offered on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
While you can visit anytime, you can also schedule a day-long pilgrimage tailored to your group's needs.
Scheduled pilgrimages may include breakfast, tours, prayer, lunch, and personal time to reflect and explore.
For more information on pilgrimages, please call the Shrine's office at (845) 343-1879.
Before you leave, be sure to check out the on-site gift shop!
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To learn more about the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, please visit their website.