Novena of Benediction to the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel

The Mount Carmel Privilege

The illustrious Pope Leo XIII, wishing to increase devotion towards the Blessed Virgin Mary under her time-honored title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was pleased in 1892 to enrich the churches and public chapels of the Carmelite Order with a precious privilege for their great Solemnity, July 16, whereon is celebrated the canonical approbation of the Primitive rule of the Order by Pope Honorius III, in 1226, and the reception of the Scapular from Mary in a vision by Saint Simon Stock.

The privilege given by Pontifical Brief is the same as that granted to Franciscan churches on August 2, called the "Indulgence of the Sacred Pardon." It is also called the Toties Quoties Indulgence (which means as many as) because by it the indulgence can be gained as many times as one fulfills the conditions.

Hence, all the faithful, truly penitent, after Confession and Holy Communion, may gain a Plenary Indulgence every time they visit a Carmelite Church or a church in which the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular is erected between noon of July 15 and midnight of July 16; provided that at each visit they say six times the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, praying for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.

This pious devotion commences on July 7, and closed on the Feast of the Solemn Commemoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16. This booklet contains all the prayers and hymns for the Novena. They are arranged as follows:

1. Preparatory Prayers
2. Special Prayers for each day
3. Litany and other prayers said every day
4. Colloquies for each day
5. Closing prayers said every day
6. Final Prayers said on July 16

Preparatory Prayers

(To be said each day)

O Glorious Queen of Angels! Most Pure and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! Powerful Advocate of all those who wear the holy Scapular! Faithful protectress of all the servants of thy Son Jesus Christ! I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of thy beloved Son, my Savior, choose thee for my Patroness, that, through thy intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

Our Father and hail Mary, three times.

Special Prayers for Each Day

First Day

Let Us Pray
O most Glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! I, an unworthy wearer of the holy Scapular, confident however that the Church does not call thee in vain the "Refuge of Sinners," do beseech thee to make me sensible of the favors thou hast conferred upon me, by promoting the welfare of thy holy Order, that, being truly contrite for past offenses, I may, by the aid and assistance, break the chains of my slavery, and live henceforward in the happy liberty of the children of God. Amen.

Second Day

Let Us Pray
O Most Glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! Vouchsafe to impart to us, thy suppliant children, a small portion of that heavenly grace with which Almighty God has been pleased to sanctify thee; and through thy intercession and protection shield us against all temptations, and secure us from all our enemies. Amen.

Third Day

Let Us Pray
Remember, O most pious Virgin, it is a thing unheard of that thou hast ever forsaken those who have recourse to thee. Encouraged with this hope and confidence, my most dear Mother, I, a miserable sinner, cast myself at thy sacred feet, humbly begging that thou wilt adopt me as thy child forever, and take upon thee the care of my eternal salvation; do not, Mother of the Word Incarnate! reject my petition, but graciously hear, and grant it. Amen.

Fourth Day

Let Us Pray
O Most Glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! I, thy unworthy child and client, sensible of the favors thou enjoyest with God, humbly present myself before thee, and beg that thou wilt intercede and obtain for me true contrition and repentance, and undefiled purity of heart, and a conscience free from sin and all offense against God; direct me, I beseech thee, in all my actions during life, and in that awful moment when my poor soul departs from my body, conduct it into the presence of thy Son, there to sing His praises forever and ever. Amen.

Fifth Day

Let Us Pray
O Most Glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mother! who, by favor of thy Divine Son, hast so great power in heaven and on earth, enlighten my blindness and strengthen my resolution. The zeal thou hast in promoting the welfare of thy sacred Order, and the part thou takest in seeing the grace of Our Redeemer abound in us, give me a right to thy interest in this my request; and, when that awful hour of death approaches, be to me, I beseech thee, a tender Mother, and by thy prayers dispose thy Son Jesus Christ favorably in my regard. Amen.

Sixth Day

Let Us Pray
O Most Glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! I offer unto thee this day all my thoughts, words and actions; I am weak and infirm, dejected and cast down at every tribulation, and terrified at the dismal prospect a review of my own interior gives me. All is misery, a continual propensity to vice, and repugnance to virtue. O Mother of Mercy and refuge of sinners! thou wilt not reject a contrite and humble heart. Intercede for me, I beseech thee, that I may so live in this sinful world, that at the hour of death I may be worthy to be admitted into the Regions of Bliss. Amen.

Seventh Day

Let Us Pray
O Most Holy Mary of Mount Carmel! pray for me, I beseech thee, that through the merits of thy Son I may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and that I may serve Him faithfully in this life, and hereafter see, love, and enjoy Him in the kingdon of His glory. Amen.

Eighth Day

Let Us Pray
O Most Glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! Faithful Protectress of all those who wear thy holy Scapular, behold thy poor servant, humbly prostrated at thy feet, deploring his misery and imploring thy prayers, and beseeching thee to protect him through the stormy ocean of this tempestuous world; hear my prayers then, O refuge of sinners! and after this our exile show unto us the Blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O most clement, O most loving, O most sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

Nineth Day

Let Us Pray
O Blessed Finder of Grace, Mother of Life, Mother of Salvation! may we though thee have access to thy Son; and that He, Who was given us through thee, may receive us through thee; may thy integrity and innocence excuse before Him the stain of our corruption; may thy abundant charity cover the multitude of our sins, and thy glorious fruitfulness supply our want of merits, Our Mother, our Mediatrix, our Advocate! reconcile us to thy Son, commend us to thy Son, present us to thy Son; by the grace with which thou art honored, obtain that He, who through thee put on our weakness, may, through thee, make us partakers of His bliss and glory. Amen.

Daily Prayers

(to be said each day)

The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (300 days' Indulgence)

Antiphon

Hail! flower of Carmel,
Hail! fruitful vine!
Hail, ever Immaculate Queen,
In whom all virtues shine.
O Mother mild, implore thy Son,
to hear our prayers now,
and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let Us Pray

O Almighty and Eternal God! Who dist adorn thy holy Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Thy Immaculate and ever Blessed Mother, grant propitiously that those who celebrate her Solemn Commemoration may, by the assistance of Thy grace, turn their affections from all irregular adherence to this world, and place them entirely on the enjoyment of Thee. Who liveest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Colloquies for Each Day

First Day

"I am the Mother of fair love," (Eccl. xxxiv), says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Wilt thou, my dear child, serve God faithfully all thy lie, as Saint Elias, Saint Eliseus, Saint Albert, Saint Teresa, Saint Mary Magdelen de Pazzi, and an infinite number of thy blessed chidren have done? I assure thee, in the sincerity of a Mother, that thou shalt with them enjoy a Heavenly Beatitude for all eternity; and, the more to encourage thee there to, my dear child, I assure thee in te language of Holy Scripture; that 'neither eye hath seen, or ear heard, nor hath it as yet entered the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for those who faithfully keep His Commandments.':
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Second Day

"I am the Mother of Divine Grace," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Wilt thou, my dear child, partake of my greatness as Saint Simon Stock did, who took so much pleasure in the inestimable privilege of being called my child, that he would not have left nor exchanged the vsame for all the pleasures of this life? Wherefore, I assisted him by my prayers at the awful moment of his dissolution, and conducted his soul into the regions of Bliss. And I will do the same for thee, my dear child, if thou copy after his example; I do assure thee that I will assist thee at death; although thou wert on the brink of eternal ruin, yet, if thou wilt be converted to my Son, He will draw thee from it, and I will defend thee against thy spiritual enemies."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, most pure Mother! I will always rejoice at those gifts which Almighty God has bestowed upon thee, and reverence thee, O Sacred Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! and, together with all the celestial Powers, bless and praise thee, because thou art the true Mother of Christ Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Third Day

"I am the Mother of God," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. O how happy art thou to be called my child! Hearken then to the commandment of thy Mother, and write it in thy heart. Wilt thou confess and communicate often, according to the advice of thy spiritual Father?

Saint Teresa and Saint Mary Mqadalen de Paxxi did communicate almost every day, whereby they have been admirable in all virtues, and have received Manna from Heaven, the true food of the children of God. I do assure thee, my dear child, with the sincerity of a loving Mother, that this is the most ready way to become perfect, and the surest means for obtaining heaven."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, my most loving Mother, it is my great desire to purify my soul in the Blood of my Redeemer, by confessing my sins, and communicating often, especially upon Saturdays, on all thy Feast, and those of thy Blessed Son, with all diligence and devotion. I do reverence thee, O ever glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Fourth Day

"I am the Queen of the Universe," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Wilt thou, my dear child, every day both mourning and evening, make a firm purpose rather to endure any loss or privation whatsoever than to offend God by mortal sin? Wilt thou imitate the example of the blessed Saints who have gone before thee? if thou dost this, I assure thee that at the awful hour of death, when all thy earthly friends forsake thee, I will conduct thy soul into the Mansions of Glory."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, Most Blessed Virgin, I do now firmly purpose, by the grace of thy son, rather to die a thousand deaths than once to offend my God by mortal sin. And I do reverence thee, O most glorious Virgin of Mount Carmel! and with the Seraphim, bless and praise thee, whom I love with my whole heart and soul."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Fifth Day

"I am the Protectress of my children," says the glorious Virgin Mother of Mount Carmel. "Give me thy heart, my dear child, and if it be as hard as flint. I will, by my intercession, make it as soft as wax; and if it be foul and loathsome, I will render it more clear and beautiful than crystal: give me thy heart, my child, and tell me with the sincerity of a true child how much thou dost love me."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"O my dear Mother! I love thee more than tongue can express more than my very soul can conceive; I reverence thee, O Sacred Virgin of Mount Carmel! I praise and magnify thee, whose chaste womb bore the Son of the Most High God."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Sixth Day

"I am the Mirror of Purity," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. " Wilt thou, my dear child, daily examine thy conscience, and never to to sleep in mortal sin? It is the way to live in tranquility and joy of spirit, having always thy soul ready in thy hand to render it up pure to Him who has created it to His own Most Precious Blood. I assure thee in the sincerity of a loving Mother that it were better to suffer all the punishments that could be inflicted in this life than to sleep one night in mortal sin."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, my most dear Mother, I will think of my sins with bitterness of soul, and examine my conscience every night before I go to rest. I reverence thee, O most Pure Virgin of Mount Carmel! and together with all the Blessed in Heaven I do praise the, because by thy powerful intercession we poor sinners can obtain of thy Son Jesus all we ask for."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Seventh Day

"I am the Protectress of all those who place their confidence in me," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Wilt thou, my dear child, do something this day in my honor? For thou must know that I leave nothing, though of ever so little value, unrecompensed, which is done in my name; and I assure thee in the sincerity of a mother that at the hour of death, being abandoned by all thy friends, thou wilt obtain my assistance and forever."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, my dear Mother, both today and all the days of my life, will I pray to thee and reverence the, O most Holy Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! and with the Celestial Court bless thee, because thou hast ever been exempt and free from all sin, and always rapt in heavenly contemplation."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Eight Day

"I am the Help of Christians," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Wilt thou, my dear child, obey the Precepts of the Holy Catholic Church, and call upon me in thy necessities? If thou wilt do so, I will assist thee, my dear child, and assure the, with a heart truly maternal, that I will plead for thee in time of danger, and will avert from thee all the anger and indignation of my Divine Son."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, my dear Mother, I will always obey the Commandments of God, and of His Church; and although I were as perfidious as Judas, yet, if thou be pleased to intercede for me, and assist me by thy prayers, I shall never despair. And I reverence thee, O Sacred Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel! Together with all the Angels and Saints, I bless and praise thee, because thou hast been found worthy to be th most faithful and humble handmaid of the Most Beloved Trinity."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Nineth Day

"I am the Queen of Virgins," says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Wilt thou, my beloved child, live as an Angel clad in flesh, mas many of my devoted children did, who chose to lose their lives rather than lose the purity of body and soul? I will love thee, as I have loved them, and pray for thee, as I have prayed for them; and, I assure thee, with a heart truly maternal, that when thou wilt depart this life, thou shalt enjoy that glory which 'neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive'."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

"Yes, my most dear Mother! I desire to be pure all my life, as sell in body as in soul! I beseech thee, O all-Merciful Virgin! to assist me by thy prayers, that through the merits of thy Divine Son Jesus I may obtain the grace so to live as to be always prepared to die. I do here prostrate before thee, O most Sacred Virgin Mother! I bless and praise thy name, because thou hast given the example of purity and sanctity to so many pious souls that have already followed and hereafter wilt follow thee in so glorious a vocation."
Hail Mary..., Glory be to the Father...

Concluding Prayers

(To be said each day)

Hymn

Bright Mother of our Maker, hail!
thou Virgin ever blessed;
The oceans start by which we sail,
and gain the port of rest.

Whilest we this Ave thus to thee
from Gabriel's mouth rehearse.
Prevail, that peace our lot may be,
and Eva's name reverse.

Release our long entangled mind
from all the snares of ill.
With heavenly light instruct the blind,
and all our vows fulfill.

Exert for us a Mother's care
and us they children own.
Prevail with Him to hear our prayer
Who chose to be thy Son.

O Spotless Maid! whose virtues sine
with brightest purity.
Each action of our lives refine
and make us pure like thee.

Preserve our lives unstained from ill
and guard us in our way.
That Christ, one day, our souls may fill
with joys that ne'er decay.

To God the Father, endless praise
to God the Son, the same.
And Holy Ghost, Whose equal rays
our equal gory claim. Amen