Our Lady of Mt. Carmel novenary begins

For the second year of Covid19 pandemic, the Novenario and Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel will be held without the usual big number of pilgrims and devotees flocking to the Carmelite Monastery. The celebration of the novenary of masses in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at the Carmelite Monastery, Concepcion Pequeña, Pilgrim City of Naga formally began last July 7. The theme for this year is “Sharing the joy of faith through a life of prayer with prayer with Mary and St. Joseph.”

Novena Masses are held from July 07-15 July 2021 at 06:30 am, except on Sundays which will be held at 07:00 am. with invited priests celebrants and preachers. The Carmelite strictly observes the minimal health protocol considering that the city is under MECQ.

Four Bicol bishops are saying mass during the novenary masses. On July 13, Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Daet, on July 14, Bishop Allan Dialogo of Sorsogon, on July 15, Bishop Jose Rojas of Libmanan and on the Feast Day, July 16, Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, of Caceres will be the main celebrant and preacher.

The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was instituted by the Carmelites between 1376 and 1386. The feast was assigned to July 16 because on that date in 1251, according to Carmelite traditions, the Brown Scapular - a sacramental made of two pieces of cloth, usually wool, attached by cords worn over the shoulders - was given by the Blessed Virgin to St. Simon Stock.

This year as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, let us altogether pray for the end of this pandemic. -CCCom News