THE MONTHLY NOVENA PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
(7th – 15th of every month except July)
[“All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)].
1) SOME PIECES OF INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MONTHLY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
1. The Apostolate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular organizes the Monthly Novena (of Prayers and Masses) to Our Lady of Mount Carmel between the 7th to 15th of every month except July, when we do the Solemn Novena in preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
2. The Monthly Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel consists of two parts:
i. The Monthly Novena Prayers, and
ii. The Monthly Novena Masses.
So, every month, we place our Monthly Novena of Prayers and Masses in the hands of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our Mother, our Queen, our Intercessor and our Advocate so that she may intercede for us with her Son.
3. Note that both the Monthly Novena of Prayers and Monthly Novena Masses are unbroken. That is to say that once we start the novena, we should endeavour to finish it without breaking it.
4. Everyone is invited to participate in the Monthly Novena
i. The Monthly Novena Prayers as organized by the Apostolate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular Devotion and structured in the Prayer Manual used by the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is published here so that everyone can have access to it.
ii. You can do the Novena Prayers with the members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel if you live close to any of the Branches of the Confraternity in Nigeria.
iii. Alternatively, you can do it either alone at your own chosen time and place or with your family as a Family Novena.
iv. If you are doing it with your family members (Family Novena) it means that you do it at the time and place that your family chooses.
5. The writing of the Monthly Novena Petitions is an integral part of the Monthly Novena. The Novena Petitions are placed in the hand of Our Lady of Mount Carmel right from the beginning of the Novena. Therefore, all those seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and doing the Monthly Novena are encouraged to begin the Novena with their written Monthly Novena Prayer Petitions keeping in mind Jesus’ promise to us: “Whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He will do it for you” (Jn 15:16).
6. These Monthly Novena Petitions are burnt on the 16th of the month, that is, the Thanksgiving Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
7. The Monthly Novena Masses
i. During the Monthly Novena, we celebrate the Monthly Novena Masses for the intentions of all those doing the Monthly Novena organized by the Apostolate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular Devotion.
ii. On each day of the Novena Masses, we celebrate the Votive Mass of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This is done at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the National Centre of Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
iii. If you are not able to attend the Novena Mass physically at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, be assured that your intentions are placed in the hands of Our Lady of Mount Carmel during the Novena Masses. This does not mean that you should not attend your daily Mass (even though that is not the designated Novena Mass).
iv. Those who want to book the Monthly Novena Masses, or other Masses, can do so online
2) THE MONTHLY NOVENA PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
1. Sign of the Cross
2. Opening hymn: [any of the Songs of Our Lady of Mount Carmel]
3. Opening Prayer:
Gracious and Merciful God, thank you for giving us the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel as our Mother, our Queen, our Advocate, our Patroness, our Protectress, our Sister, our Princess and our Intercessor. As we enjoy her patronage, open our hearts and minds so that we may see and appreciate all you have done for us. Bless us as we strive to imitate her virtues especially her obedience, humility, purity, faith, and prayerfulness. Be gracious to us and hear our prayers. Grant the intentions of your holy Church and the desires of our hearts and of those we are praying for in this novena. May your Holy Spirit renew in the hearts of the faithful the grace of this devotion, even as we work and pray for its spread and growth.
O Queen-Mother of Carmel, guide and bless us always. Intercede with God and obtain for us all our spiritual and material needs. Make our prayers and works during these days of our novena to be pleasing and acceptable to God. Protect us, watch-over us, and lead us to the Throne of Grace and the Holy Mountain, Christ our Lord. Amen.
4. The Rosary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
5. The Litany of intercession to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
6. The Prayer of St. Simon Stock to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this my necessity. [Make your request here]. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee [3 times]. Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands [3 times].
V/ Most Sacred Heart of Jesus R/Have mercy on us!
V/ Immaculate Heart of Mary R/ Pray for us!
V/ Mother and Ornament of Carmel R/ Pray for us!
V/ Virgin and Beauty of Carmel R/ Pray for us!
V/ Sister and Princess of all who wear the Scapular R/ Pray for us!
V/ Grace and Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular R/ Pray for us!
V/ St. Joseph, chaste spouse of Mary, and our glorious Patron R/ Pray for us!
V/ St. Simon Stock, Receiver of the Scapular R/ Pray for us!
V/ All Saints of Carmel R/ Pray for us!
7. Scripture Reading and a short reflection.
[At this point, Our Lady of Mount Carmel exhorts and speaks to her children. The person giving the reflection is simply her mouth piece. The reading may come from any of these passages]:
– Gen 3:15 (The enmity between the serpent and the Woman)
– Mt 2:9-11 (The wise men visit the Child with Mary),
– Mt 12:46-47 (Mary searches for Jesus during his public ministry),
– Lk 1:26-31 (God sends the Archangel Gabriel to Mary),
– Lk 1:34-36 (Mary dialogues with the Archangel),
– Lk 1:39-44 (Mary visits Elizabeth),
– Lk 1:56 (Mary stays with Elizabeth and takes care of her),
– Lk 2:6-7 (Mary wraps her first-born Son),
– Lk 2:15-17 (The shepherds visit Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus),
– Lk 2:22-24 (Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple),
– Lk 2:33-35 (Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph and speaks to Mary)
– Lk 2:45-48 (Mary and Joseph search for Jesus),
– Jn 2: 3-5 (Mary, at a wedding in Cana)
– Jn 19:25-27 (Mary, at the foot of the Cross),
– Acts 1:12-14 (Praying with Mary, the Mother of Jesus)
8. Daily Novena Prayers
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the sufferer and the consolation of the afflicted. Look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with thy holy Scapular. Hear my prayer, and if it is to the glory of God, for thy honour, and for the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this novena. Amen.
Day 1: (7th day of the month)
O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendour of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother!
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 2: (8th day of the month)
Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son, Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 3: (9th day of the month)
O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your faithful children. May we always wear it with honour by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 4: (10th day of the month)
When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us not only to be servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as your children in joy, peace and love.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 5: (11th day of the month)
O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 6: (12th day of the month)
With loving provident care, O Mother, Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defence against the evil one. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son, Jesus Christ.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 7: (13th day of the month)
O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 8: (14th day of the month)
You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the Saints.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
Day 9: (15th day of the month)
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, you have given us the assurance of your Motherly love and help. Behold us, your children. We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death. Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Saviour, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on all our departed brothers and sisters!
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be…
Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us, and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, pray for us.
9. Prayer for the Preparation for the Annual Carmelite Pilgrimage
(Said during the Monthly Novena from April till the 13th of July of every year)
Lord God, as we embark on our noble task of preparing for the Annual Carmelite Pilgrimage, may you turn your eyes of mercy towards us and enkindle in our hearts and minds your divine grace and charity that we may love and obey you with all our heart and serve Our Lady of Mount Carmel gladly.
Bless the Planning Committee and the entire Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with your divine assistance and direction and give us the spiritual and material resources needed to prepare adequately for the Pilgrimage. Bless also the Carmelite Order in Nigeria, our families and friends, and grant success to the works of our hands.
Reward our benefactors, sponsors, supporters and all those who have generously given the Confraternity their help especially in the course of planning and preparing for this year’s Pilgrimage. May it be a special moment of enjoying your divine favours and blessings and the gracious intercession and patronage of the Mother and Queen of Carmel in abundance. May our efforts to spread the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel through the Brown Scapular bear fruits in abundance in our land.
Bestow your graces upon all our pilgrims and grant them safety to and fro the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and grant answers to the prayers whose petitions will be burnt during the Pilgrimage. We place ourselves and our prayers in the hands of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph and the Saints of Carmel. Through their intercession, may you, the Lord and King of Carmel, hear and answer us. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, our glorious father, Pray for us.
All Saints of Carmel, Pray for us.
10. Announcements (if any)
11. We fly to you
We fly to you, Our Lady and Our Mother of Carmel, with entire confidence! Your Son, Jesus, has given you power over His Heart. Take us, your children, and place us in that Divine Heart, so that our souls may be purified from all that is displeasing to Him, that henceforth our hearts may be like yours, in their love of God and neighbour. Amen.
12. Sign of peace
13. The final blessing (if a priest is present)
14. Closing hymn: Reigning from your royal throne [Song No.10]
15. Sign of the Cross (if a priest is not there to give the final blessing).