07/16/2026
On this day in 1251, St. Simon Stock appealed to Mary to protect him and his fellow Carmelites. In response to Simon’s plea, Mary appeared to him, and offered him a long brown habit, along with her promise to protect him and anyone who wore it. Just as a mother clothes her young child, Mary “clothed” Simon in her protection and care.
It is from this apparition that the brown scapular gained popularity. As more and more people yearned for Mary’s protection, Carmelites would cut pieces of their habit and offer Mary’s maternal guidance to them. While the wearing of the scapular remains a sacred act, the importance of this day runs much deeper.
Today’s feast reminds us that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is not simply another name for Mary. Instead, this feast stands as a testament to an enduring relationship that has been handed down through generations. Emanating from its birthplace on Mount Carmel, it has reached all ends of the earth to encompass a global community. Ours is a history that formed Saints, Doctors of the Church and the vocations of countless priests, sisters, friars and all of us who are part of the Carmelite communities.
For nearly 65 years, Carmel Catholic High School has been a living, local expression of a unique heritage that combines the contemplative spirit of the Carmelites with the active compassion of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). This dual grace is the foundation for the intellectual and spiritual formation of our community. This is what inspires us to continue answering the urgent Gospel call to “love one another”.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - Pray for Us!
"Our Lady of Mount Carmel" icon written by Fr. Filiberto Oregel-Alvarez, O. Carm. Shared with permission.
