Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Model for Living

For Carmelites the .Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has a special significance because Our Lady of Mount Carmel is patron of the Carmelites and the Church at Middle Park is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – a gathering place for all members of the Carmelite Family in Australia.

Then In the Carmelite tradition Mary is seen as a sister who helps us to follow her Son. Mary lived her life with deep faith and a contemplative spirit. She confronted many situations which affect contemporary women: pregnant and unmarried at an early age; facing uncertainty about Joseph’s acceptance of her; giving birth far away from home and family; fleeing with Joseph into Egypt to protect her child; a run-away child who disappeared for three days; wondering if Jesus was mad as he began his public ministry; seeing him rejected; watching him suffer and die like a criminal.

There were great moments, too: rejoicing with her cousin Elizabeth over the approaching birth of their sons; watching Jesus help the newly-married couple at the wedding feast in Cana; seeing the power of God move in him during his ministry; watching him rise; gathering with the disciples in prayer awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. Through her inspiration may we develop the skill to reflect on our lives under the power and influence of God’s Spirit so that, whatever life may bring us, we will be able to live our lives with courage, faith and love, giving Christ form and shape in who we are, how we live, what we say and do.

At a special Mothers’ Mass on this feast day we are joined by other members of theCarmelite Family in Australia, especially the East Timorese and Indonesian Catholic communities in Melbourne. Together we pray that we may continue to beinspired by Mary, the woman of faith.

For more details on how Mary can inspire us to live a better life or to attend workshops about Mary contact the Carmelite Centre on 03 9690 5430 or e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it