The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated annually on July 16, is among Malta’s most cherished Marian devotions. Deeply rooted in the archipelago’s culture and history, this feast reveals Malta’s enduring trust in Mary as a guide, protector, and source of renewal. In this Jubilee year, the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel invites the faithful to embrace the themes of renewal and trust through her intercession.
A history of devotion
The Carmelites, who brought the devotion to Malta in 1418, established their first priory at Lunzjata, near Rabat. Over the centuries, they built several churches, including the iconic Carmelite Basilica in Valletta, which today dominates the city’s skyline with its monumental dome. This basilica houses the revered altarpiece depicting Mary giving the Brown Scapular to St. Simon Stock while comforting souls in Purgatory. The painting, the first in Malta to be crowned by the Vatican Chapter in 1881, epitomizes Mary’s role as a mother and intercessor for her children.
The Brown Scapular, central to this devotion, represents a commitment to live a life of prayer and trust in Mary’s protection. This tradition, rooted in St. Simon Stock’s vision in 1251, connects the faithful to the promise of salvation and renewal.
Renewal through Mary
The Jubilee year’s call to spiritual renewal aligns perfectly with the message of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mary, the Star of the Sea, leads her devotees to her Son, offering hope amid life’s storms. Just as sailors once looked to the stars for guidance, the faithful turn to Mary for direction and strength in their spiritual journeys.
In Malta, this devotion extends beyond individual prayer. The Maltese people have historically turned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel during times of crisis. During plagues, sieges, and wars, processions and prayers to Mary were central to the nation’s collective plea for protection. These acts of faith exemplify how devotion to Mary can bring communities together in hope and resilience.
Marian miracles and Malta’s heritage
The Carmelite Basilica in Valletta has witnessed countless expressions of faith and miraculous stories. One of the most notable involves San Ġorġ Preca, Malta’s first saint. As a child, he nearly drowned but was saved by a boatman en route to the Carmelite church’s feast. Later in life, San Ġorġ became a Carmelite tertiary and a fervent promoter of the Brown Scapular, further cementing the devotion’s significance in Malta.
Other miraculous occurrences include the survival of the Fawwara chapel and spring during a drought, attributed to a vow made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. These miracles serve as reminders of Mary’s constant care for her devotees, fostering trust and gratitude among the faithful.
A reflection of Jubilee themes
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel offers profound lessons for the Jubilee year. Her mantle of protection embodies the renewal of trust in God’s providence. Wearing the Brown Scapular is a tangible reminder of the commitment to live a life of faith, hope, and love, aligned with the call for renewal and transformation.
The Jubilee is also a time for the Church to emphasize community. The Maltese tradition of processing with Mary’s statue through the streets, accompanied by prayers and hymns, mirrors this call. It is a visible sign of unity, as the faithful come together to honor Mary and seek her intercession.
Visitors can step into a centuries-old tradition with the Melita Mariana Pilgrimage Route, a five-day pilgrimage through Malta and Gozo that brings Marian devotion to life. Covering over 100 kilometers, this sacred journey unveils the islands’ deep ties to the Virgin Mary, shaped by Byzantine influences and the legacy of St. Luke. You can walk in the footsteps of generations who found faith and inspiration in these hallowed landscapes. Whether seeking spiritual renewal or a deeper connection to history, this pilgrimage is an invitation to rediscover faith with every step. Ready to embark? Contact XirCammini at [email protected] or via WhatsApp at +35679046942.
Devotion beyond Malta
Malta’s contribution to the Carmelite Order extends far beyond its shores. During the Napoleonic era, when the monastery on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land was destroyed, Maltese Carmelites played a key role in its restoration. Similarly, the Maltese contributed funds and manpower to recover the English Carmelite friary of Aylesford, believed to be the site of St. Simon Stock’s vision.
This global impact underscores how devotion to Mary fosters renewal not only within individuals but also within communities and institutions. Malta’s enduring faith has borne fruit across the world, demonstrating the transformative power of Marian devotion.
Trust in Mary’s intercession
At the heart of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a message of trust and hope. The Maltese people’s unwavering confidence in Mary’s intercession has been a source of strength through centuries of challenges. Whenever the Maltese faithful have turned to Mary as a source of hope and renewal, she has responded.
In this Jubilee year, the feast invites us all to deepen our trust in Mary and embrace her as a model of faith. Her life, characterized by humility and openness to God’s will, offers a path to spiritual renewal and transformation.
A tradition of hope
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel continues to be an inspiration for the Maltese people and beyond. Its rich history, miraculous stories, and profound spiritual significance embody the themes of renewal, trust, and unity.
As Malta celebrates this beloved feast, it reminds us of Mary’s enduring presence in our lives, guiding us closer to her Son and helping us navigate the challenges of our time. In the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, the famed Carmelite saint, “In trial or difficulty, I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, may the Jubilee year inspire a renewed commitment to faith, a deeper trust in God’s providence, and a stronger sense of hope for the future.
