Saturday, July 4, 2020

Flos Carmeli

On July 16 Holy Mother Church honors Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On July 16, 1251 Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock after he prayed for help for his Order, the Carmelites. She appeared to him with the scapular and said, "Take, beloved son, this scapular of thy order...; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant."

Later the Carmelite scapular was modified to the small form for use by the laity that they may share in the great graces associated with it once they are enrolled in it. These graces, called the Sabbatine privilege, meant that Mary promised to intercede and pray for those in Purgatory who, while on earth, wore the scapular worthily, lived chastely according to their state, recited the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Rosary daily, and departed earthly life in charity.

Wearing the Brown Scapular of Our Lady is not a guarantee of salvation, but it is a sign of our decision to follow Jesus and a way to honor Our Mother, reminding us of how we should act to fulfill God's plan for us. It is a sign of our trust in Mary to pray for and care for us as our Mother and Queen in heaven.

"Flos Carmeli," which means Flower of Carmel is a Carmelite hymn and prayer, written by St. Simon Stock.  Tradition states that St. Simon prayed this prayer for the first time during that time of great difficulty for the Carmelite Order.  He begged our Lady with love and faith to help him in his need, and she answered his plea.  Thus the Flos Carmeli prayer continues to be prayed to our Lady, with faith that she will hear our prayers. 
Originally Holy Mother Church used the sequence on the feast of St. Simon, but in 1663 it became the sequence for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  The following novena prayer is from the first two verses of the sequence.  As a novena, this prayer would be prayed from July 7-15 to finish the day before this feast of Our Lady.


Flos Carmeli Novena Prayer
Most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel,
fruitful vine, splendor of heaven,
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin,
assist me in this my necessity. (name your intention)
O, Star of the Sea,
help me and show me herein 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 succor me in this necessity;
there are none that can withstand your power.
O show me herein that you are my Mother.

Our Lady, queen and beauty of Carmel,
pray for me and obtain my requests.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.

+                                +                              +
Flos Carmeli Sequence

Flower of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendor of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee.

Mother so tender,
Who no man didst know,
On Carmel's children
Thy favors bestow.
Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse,
Who bore one bright flower,
Be ever near us
And guard us each hour,
who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies,
That flowers among thorns,
Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness turns
and trusts in thee.

Strongest of armor,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight,
we call to thee.

Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
and now enjoy.

Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
true joy to see.  Amen.

Flos Carmeli,
florigera,
splendor caeli,
virgo puerpera
singularis.

Mater mitis
sed viri nescia
Carmelitis
esto propitia
stella maris.

Radix Iesse
germinans flosculum
nos ad esse
tecum in saeculum
patiaris.

Inter spinas
quae crescis lilium
serva puras
mentes fragilium
tutelaris.

Armatura
fortis pugnantium
furunt bella
tende praesidium
scapularis.

Per incerta
prudens consilium
per adversa
iuge solatium
largiaris.

Mater dulcis
Carmeli domina,
plebem tuam
reple laetitia
qua bearis.

Paradisi
clavis et ianua,
fac nos duci
quo, Mater, gloria
coronaris. Amen

God bless!
+JMJ+

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