THE SOLEMN NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
(in preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
(7th – 15th July)
1) SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOLEMN NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
i. The yearly Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is done by the whole Carmelite Family in preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
ii. In Nsukka diocese, all the Branches of the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel observe this Solemn Novena at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the National Centre of devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
iii. Usually, we invite Marian Confraternities and Associations, other pious Societies and,indeed, Christ’s faithful to take an active part in the Solemn Novena and in the celebration of the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
iv. On each day of the Solemn Novena, we pray the Rosary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, recite the Litany of Intercession to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, sing Marian songs, present a Solemn Novena Talk on a selected topic and celebrate the Votive Mass of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
v. Both the Solemn Novena Petitions and Pilgrimage Petitions are burnt at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel during the celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
2) THE SOLEMN NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
1. Sign of the Cross
2. Invocation of the Holy Spirit
V/ Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R/ And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V/ Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created,
R/ And Thou shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray
O God, who, by the light of the Holy Spirit, didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
V/ Thou, O Lord, will open my lips,
R/ And my tongue shall announce Thy praise
V/ Incline unto my aid, O God,
R/ O Lord, make haste to help me.
V/ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
R/ as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
3. Opening hymn: [any of the Songs of Our Lady of Mount Carmel]
4. 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.
5. The Rosary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel [Start with the Apostles’ Creed]
6. The Litany of intercession to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
7. Some Marian choruses
8. The Solemn Novena Talk:
[The talks are assigned to people so that they may prepare ahead. Each talk may last about 20 minutes and a few questions may be allowed]:
i. Day 1 (July 7): The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel OR The person of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
[The Book: Consecration and Entrustment to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, contains a lot of information both on the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the person of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The talk does not only aim at introducing the people to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, but also to make them know why they should be devoted to her.]
ii. Day 2 (July 8): St. Elijah and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the history and spiritual traditions of the Carmelite Order (cf.1 Kgs 18:41-46) OR St. Elijah, the first devotee of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
[The first thing is to acknowledge that Elijah, Carmel’s inspirational father, ministered on Mount Carmel, the birthplace of the Carmelite Order and where the Carmelites built their first Chapel in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This holy mountain where thefierce prophet defended the worship of God over that of the Canaanite deity, Baal (1 Kgs 18), performed many miracles including resurrection, bringing down fire from the sky and ascending into the heavens alive (2 Kgs 2:11; 2 Kgs 3:6-7); is where he also saw a little cloud like a man’s hand rising out of the sea (1 Kgs 18:44), which the Carmelites see as the prototype of the Mother of God. It is the only Mountain in the Sacred Scripture that is totally dedicated to and placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Book: Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Carmelites, contains a lot of information on Elijah’s exploits on Mount Carmel and the various ways through which he inspired devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel].
iii. Day 3 (July 9): St. Simon Stock and the Brown Scapular. [The Book: The Heroes of the Brown Scapular, is an excellent source of information regarding the life of St. Simon Stock and his struggles to save the Carmelite Order before receiving the Brown Scapular from Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a symbol of her maternal protection over the Carmelite Order and all those who are devoted to her and wear the Scapular].
iv. Day 4 (July 10): The Spiritual Benefits of Consecration to Our Lady of Mount Carmel OR The Uniqueness of Consecration to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. [See: Consecration and Entrustment to Our Lady of Mount Carmel].
v. Day 5 (July 11): The Brown Scapular and Our Lady of Mount Carmel OR The Brown Scapular as the Garment of Our Lady of Mount Carmel OR The Uniqueness of the Carmelite Devotional Scapular. [The Book: The Heroes of the Brown Scapular, as an excellent source of information for these three topics. All those who wear the Brown Scapular should be helped to know that they are consecrated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel].
vi. Day 6 (July 12): The Pillars of Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel [See: The Pillars of Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel] OR The inseparability of the Brown Scapular and the Holy Rosary (of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) [See: The Heroes of the Brown Scapular].
vii. Day 7 (July 13): Jesus, the Lord, Master and King of the Brown Scapular OR St. Teresa of Jesus and the Brown Scapular OR Carmelite Religious Saints and Scapular Saints as Heroes of the Brown Scapular. [See: The Heroes of the Brown Scapular].
viii. Day 8 (July 14): The first Brown Scapular Privilege OR The second Brown Scapular Privilege OR The (other) Spiritual Benefits and Rewards of the Brown Scapular. [See: The Heroes of the Brown Scapular].
ix. Day 9 (July 15): The Characteristics of Genuine Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel OR The Erroneous teachings, beliefs and practices concerning the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular. [See: Consecration and Entrustment to Our Lady of Mount Carmel].
9. Daily Novena Prayers
Day 1: (7th July)
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 July)
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 July)
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 July)
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 July)
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 July)
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 July)
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 July)
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 July)
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.
10. 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.
11. Announcements (if any)
12. 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!
13. The Solemn Blessing (if a priest is present)
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: And with your spirit.
[The deacon (or, in his absence, the priest) gives the invitation in these words: Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing. Then the priest extends his hands over the people as he sings or says]
Priest: The Father chose Mary to be the Mother of his Son.
May He make you also her faithful children. R/. Amen.
Priest: God the Son was born of Mary and was obedient to her.
May He grant you to love her as he did. R/. Amen.
Priest: The Holy Spirit overshadowed her and made her fruitful with the Word.
May He fill you also with the divine presence. R/. Amen.
Priest: And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come down upon you and remain with you now and for ever. R/. Amen.
14. Closing hymn: [any of the Songs of Our Lady of Mount Carmel]
15. Sign of the Cross (if a priest is not there to give the final blessing).