HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN OF CARMEL
The Patron Saint of the Carmelite Order
The Story of Our Lady of Carmen
Historians trace the origins of the Virgin of Carmel to the so-called Mount Karmel, a mountain range in northern Israel. During the 12th century, a group of Christian hermits settled on the mountain, forming a religious community that would later become the Carmelite Order. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the hermits, giving them a brown scapular and promising to protect them. The scapular, a small piece of cloth worn over the shoulders, became a symbol of Carmelites' devotion to Mary. Over the centuries, the Virgin of Carmel gained popularity as a patron saint of sailors and fishermen. Her feast day, celebrated on July 16th, is marked by processions and religious ceremonies in many coastal communities. The Virgin of Carmel is also revered as a protector of children and the sick. Her image is often found in homes and churches, where she is invoked for guidance and healing.
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