by Jose Antonio Videla Vidal
On July 16 the Solemnity of the Virgin of Carmel is celebrated worldwide with great joy and tradition. We are before a devotion that is both ancient and present in the life of the Communities of Religious and laymen that venerate Her as the “Flower of Carmel,” or which popular religiosity calls Her simply “Mama Carmel.” It was She who in the mid 13th century gave Saint Simon Stock the brown and white scapular that the Friars, women religious and faithful wear with so much devotion, having made this scapular their protection and way of perfection.
To prepare for this significant feast, which this year won’t have processions or fanfare, Zenit talked with Father Miceal O’Neill, Prior General of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, known as Carmelites.