Why the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is on July 16
Dr. Annabelle Moseley, T.O.Carm. - published on 07/16/25
And what it has to do with Elijah, Scripture, and being wrapped in a mantle of graces.
The Feast of Mount Carmel is celebrated on July 16 because that is the day (July 16, 1251) that the Blessed Mother gave the brown scapular to St. Simon Stock.
St. Simon Stock had been visiting the Holy Land, and when he returned to England in 1251, he received an apparition of Our Lady in which she said, “Receive, my Beloved Son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.”
Although the wearing of the Brown Scapular is a Carmelite privilege, this privilege has been extended to all Catholics. Any Catholic may wear a Brown Scapular (be sure to have it blessed!).
But did you know that you should also be formally enrolled into the Brown Scapular and that with it comes extraordinary graces? Any priest can enroll you, but more churches offer this officially on or near the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
It’s a great time to see if a church near you is doing so; or to suggest that they do it. Here is the formula for enrollment.
Wrapped in protection
It’s no wonder a friend of mine smiles and calls the brown scapular “fire insurance.” What an incredible grace the Queen of all Saints provides in her scapular!
If you don’t yet have a scapular, why not purchase one from a convent of Carmelite nuns and therefore support their holy work at the same time? Here is one option, and another.
Why not put on your “to-do” list, or mark on your calendar, to be enrolled in the brown scapular by a priest and if possible join an investiture ceremony. You only need to be enrolled once in a lifetime.
Here’s more details on the graces and answers to questions about enrolling and investiture in the brown scapular.
I am a Third Order Carmelite, and one of the things I love most about wearing the brown scapular is that it is an experience of being wrapped in Our Lady’s mantle. Furthermore, for Carmelites, the scapular is very symbolic. Elijah was known for wearing a cloak, or mantle.
When Elijah heard the whisper of God on Mt. Horeb and recognized the presence of God, he “wrapped his face in his mantle,” (1 Kings 19:12) and when Elijah made Elisha his disciple, he wrapped his cloak around him. Elisha later asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
When Elijah was carried up to heaven in a chariot, he dropped his mantle down to Elisha who caught it, a sign that Elisha would indeed receive this grace.
When we wear the brown scapular, it is a tangible and visible way to ask for and receive the spirit of Elijah, being ever more zealous for the Lord and witnessing to our faith.
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