Novena in honour of the most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel

This pious devotion commences on July 7th, and closes on the Feast of the Solemn Commemoration of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16th. The Indulgence for Mt. Carmel Day may be gained from noon on the 15th to midnight of the 16th, July.

A novena in honour of the most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Mother of God, and Our Dear Lady: together with a devout manner of reciting the holy rosary, and used in some of the noviciates of the Order of Mount Carmel.  Translated from the Spanish.

We hereby grant a hundred days Indulgence to every one devoutly reciting this Novena, according to the following directions.
✝ N. CARD. WISEMAN.
Westminster. June 28th, 1852.

THERE is no true Catholic who does not know that the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin Mary is a most powerful method of obtaining benefits and favours from the Majesty of God ; since, as this Holy Queen is really and truly the Mother of God, Her dear Son will not deny Her anything which She asks of Him. For this reason, Christian piety has discovered many ways of honouring this dear Lady, so that by Her powerful intercession She may obtain for us help in our necessities, consolation in our afflictions, and the fulfillment of any just desires. And the faithful, experiencing the power of Her intercession with God in the graces they constantly receive through Her, recognize Her as their Mother, and as such venerate and love Her.

But above all, the Carmelites and those who wear the Holy Scapular ought to love this Blessed Virgin, for She enriched them with this singular privilege, so that by it they might be known and distinguished as Her children, and particularly under Her protection; confirming this favour by continual and great prodigies and miracles, which have been and still are experienced. And so that they may shew their love and gratitude towards this great Queen and most loving Mother, as also to implore Her especial assistance to obtain what they desire, this Novena has been written, in which Her most extraordinary favours are commemorated, and which is to be performed according to the following directions.

Directions for performing this Novena

The first thing to be remarked is, that this Novena may be made at any time of the year, either on nine consecutive days or on nine consecutive Saturdays (this day being chosen as consecrated to the Mother of God); but the proper time for performing it is in the month of July, beginning it on the eighth of July, and ending it on the sixteenth day of that month, which is the Feast of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel ; or beginning it on the fifteenth — that is, on the eve of the Feast, — and concluding it on the twenty-third, which is the last day of the Octave.

The second is, that this Novena may be said in the person’s own house before an image or picture of our Lady of Mount Carmel ; but the best place to say it in is the church, before an altar of the Blessed Virgin, if there be one, or if not, a picture or medal may be used. And the Novena is to be said kneeling, if illness or any other just cause does not prevent.

The third is, that the person who makes the Novena is to confess and communicate on the first day of the Novena if possible, or at least on some day during the course of it; and that, in order to be better prepared to recite this Novena, they are to make very devoutly the acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition, as contained in the first prayer, in order to purify the soul to praise God and the Holy Virgin: for if a soul full of failings and imperfections were to offer to God and our Lady prayers and praises, it would be like presenting delicious viands in an unclean vessel, so that they could not be eaten; and it would also be well to confess and communicate on the last day of the Novena.

The fourth is, that on the first day of the Novena, the person who performs it is to determine for what end or intention he wishes to make it, — that is, what he desires to obtain from God by the intercession of His Holy Mother ; and he is to ask it with great humility and entire resignation to the will of God, only desiring it if it be for the greater glory of His Divine Majesty and good of his own soul; and also he is to be disposed, if he does not obtain what he asks, to be as satisfied as if God had granted his desire, preferring the Divine will and pleasure to his own.

The fifth remark is, that any person who cannot read or hear the Novena read, can make it by saying every day five Salve Reginas and five Ave Marias, saying first an act of contrition, and observing as far as possible the directions here given.

The sixth and last is, that the person who makes the Novena ought to offer to God and the Blessed Virgin some act of virtue every day during the Novena: as giving alms, hearing Mass, a short time of mental prayer, frequent acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition, as also of conformity with the holy will of God. And he ought to have great confidence, through the intercession of the Holy Virgin, that he will obtain from the Majesty of God what he asks in this Novena, if it be for the good of his soul.

A NOVENA IN HONOUR OF THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF MOUNT OF CARMEL
MOTHER OF GOD, AND OUR DEAR LADY

The person about to make this Novena, being on his knees before a picture or image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, shall himself devoutly with the sign of the Cross, and making an act of faith in the presence of God, raise his heart to His Divine Majesty, and say the following prayer:

FIRST PRAYER

MY God and my Lord, prostrate before Thy Sovereign Majesty, I adore Thee with all my heart and soul.
I confess to Thee, praise Thee, bless Thee, and glorify Thee.
I acknowledge Thee to be my Lord and my God;
I believe in Thee, and in all the mysteries of the Holy Catholic Faith, in which I desire to live and die.
I hope in Thee, and I trust that Thou wilt pardon my faults and give me Thy grace, together with perseverance in it ;
and that at last Thou wilt bring me to the glory which Thou hast promised to those who continue in Thy love.
I love Thee, above all things, for Thine infinite goodness;
I give Thee thanks for all the benefits which Thou hast conferred,
and still continues to confer, upon me :
I confess my great ingratitude towards Thee,
and all my sins and offences against Thee;
I am sorry for them, and beg that Thou wilt pardon me :
it grieves me much that I have thus offended Thee, because Thou art the Infinite Being that Thou art.
I repent with all my heart, because Thou art my God, infinitely good and worthy of my love :
I am firmly resolved by the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid all occasions of offending Thee;
to confess my faults, and to make satisfaction for them :
I hope in Thee, O Lord, and that in Thine infinite mercy Thou wilt pardon me,
so that with a pure heart I may praise Thy most holy Mother,
and obtain by Her holy intercession what I ask in this Novena,
if it be for Thy greater glory and the good of my soul.
Amen.

SECOND PRAYER

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and of sinners, Special Protectress of those who wear Thy Holy Scapular,
I implore of Thee to obtain for me, from Thy dear Son Jesus, the pardon of my sins,
the grace necessary for the amendment of my life, and the salvation of my soul.
Be Thou also, O Lady, my help in necessity, my consolation in tribulation,
and obtain for me what I ask in this Novena,
if it be to His greater glory and for the good of my soul :
and uniting myself to all the Angels, Saints, and Just, I salute The saying.
Hail Mary, &c.

Here the Hail Mary is to be repeated three times.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE FIRST DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who wast prefigured by the cloud which the great prophet Elias saw rising from the sea, and which with its rain rendered the whole earth fruitful, signifying Thy most pure fecundity, by which Thou gavest to the world Thy dear Son Jesus for the salvation of all our souls : I beg of Thee, O Lady, to obtain for me from His Divine Majesty a copious supply of grace, so that my soul may bring forth abundant fruits of virtue and good works, and having served Thee perfectly on earth, I may be worthy to enjoy Thee eternally in Heaven; and that I may obtain what I particularly pray for in this Novena, I humbly beg this grace of Thee, saying,

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope;
to Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears!
Turn, then, most Gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after
this our painful exile shew unto us the Blessed Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary!

LITANY OF LORETTO

Ant. Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Ge nitrix; nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris, sed a periculis cunc tis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.		Ant. We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, o glorious and blessed Virgin.
Kylie elcison Kgrie eleison Christe eleison Christe eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison Christe audi nos Christe eæaudi nos		Lord have mercy on us Lord have mercy on us Christ have mercy on us Christ have mercy on us Lord have mercy on us Lord have mercy on us Christ hear us Christ graciously hear us
Pater de cælis Deus (R) Fili Redemptor mundi Deus (R) Spiritus sancte Deus (R) Sanctn Trinitas, unus Deus (R) (R: Miserere nobis)		God the Father of heaven(R) God the Son, Redeemer of the world (R) God the Holy Ghost (R) Holy Trinity, one God (R) (R: Have mercy on us)
Sancta Maria, Sancta Dei Genitrix, Sancta Virgo Virginum, Mater Christi, Mater divinæ gratis, Mater purissima, Mater castissimas, Mater inviolata, Mater intemerata, Mater amabilis, Mater admirabilis, Mater Creatoris, Mater Salvatoris, Virgo prudentissima, Virgo veneranda, Virgo prredicanda, Virgo potens, Virgo clemens, Virgo fidelis, Speculum justitia, Sedes sapientim, Causa nostrae lretitiae, Vas spirituale, Vas honorabile, Vas insigne devotionis, Rosa mystica, Turris Davidica, Turris eburnea, Domus aurea, Fcederis arca, Janua cæli, Stella matutina, Salus infirmorum, Refugium peccatorum, Consolatrix afllictorum, Auxilium Christiunorum, Regina Angelorum Regina Patriarcharum, Regina Prophetarum, Regina Apostolorum, Regina Martyrum, Regina Confessorum, Regina Virginum, Regina Sanctorum omnium, Regina sine lube originali concepta,	O R A P R O N O B I S	Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of Virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Saviour, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honour, Vessel of singular devotion, Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of Angels, Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of Prophets, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Confessors, Queen of Virgins, Queen of all Saints, Queen conceived without sin,	P R A Y F O R U S
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Parce nobia, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Ezaudi nos, Domino. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis Christe, audi nos Christe, exaudi nos		Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Ant. Sub tuum prasidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix; nostras de precationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. R. Ut digni etficiamur promissionibus Christi.		Ant. We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
DEUS, qui beatissi mae semper Virginis et Genitricis tuae Maria singulari titulo Carmeli Ordinem decorasti, concede propitius, ut cujus commemorationem celebramus, ejus muniti prresidiis, ad gaudia sempiterna pervenire mereamur. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. R. Amen.		O God, who hast honoured the Carmelite Order with the peculiar title of the most blessed ever Virgin MARY, thy Mother; mercifully grant that as we this day celebrate her commemoration with a solemn ofiice, so we may be defended by her protecting power, and be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God for ever and ever. R. Amen.

Praised and blessed for ever be the most holy and divine Sacrament of the Altar; and blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

SECOND DAY

The Prayers are to be said, as on the first day, with the exception of the third Prayer, which is varied every day.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE SECOND DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary,
who, on account of Thy singular love for the Carmelites,
didst favour them by familiarly conversing with them,
and enlightening them by means of Thy instruction and example:
I beseech Thee, O dear Lady, to obtain for me, of Thy Beloved Son Jesus,
light to be sensible of His goodness, grace to love Him,
to know and deplore my sins, and to teach me what I ought to do
in order to serve Him perfectly.
Grant that my life and conversation may always be to His greater honour and glory,
as well as to the edification of my neighbour,
and that I may obtain what I desire in this Novena,
I ask it especially through Thy intercession, saying,
Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE THIRD DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who didst receive with singular pleasure and love the homage of the Carmelites, who were the first to build a church to Thine honour on Mount Carmel, where the faithful assembled to praise Thee : I beseech Thee, 0 Blessed Lady, to make my soul a living temple of the Majesty of God, where He may always dwell, and from which temporal affections may be ever banished; and, that I may obtain what I desire in this Novena, I beg of Thee to ask it for me, most humbly saying, Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE FOURTH DAY

O Virgin of Mount Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who, to shew Thy great love towards the Carmelites, didst honour them with the sweet name of Thy sons and brethren, thus teaching them confidently to look to Thee, as their Mother, for remedy, consolation, and help in all their afflictions, and exhorting them to imitate Thy virtues : I beseech Thee, most dear Lady, to be my Mother, so that I may imitate Thy virtues, worthily enjoy the title of Thy child, and that my name may be inscribed in the book of predestination with those of the Sons of God and Brothers of Jesus Christ ; and I beg of Thee most humbly to obtain for me what I ask in this Novena, by Thine intercession, saying. Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE FIFTH DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who, to defend Thy beloved children the Carmelites, when their Holy Institute was on the point of being abolished, manifesting thereby Thy singular love towards them, didst desire the Supreme Pontiff, Honorius III., to receive them, and to confirm their Institute, shewing him that this was Thy will and that of Thy divine Son, by the sudden death with which He punished two persons who particularly opposed it: I beseech Thee, O Lady, to defend me from all my enemies, both of soul and body, so that I may serve God in peace ; and obtain for me what I ask in this Novena, through Thine intercession, I beg this grace, devoutly saying. Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE SIXTH DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who, to mark the Carmelites as Thine especial children, didst enrich them with the singular pledge of Thy most Holy Scapular, by means of which Thou dost bestow such singular graces on those who devoutly wear it, and fulfilling their obligations, shew, by their imitation of Thy virtues, that they are truly Thy children : I beseech Thee, O Lady, to obtain for me the grace to serve Thee lovingly in this life, so that I may be worthy to feel the effects of this holy devotion ; and I beg of Thee most humbly to obtain for me the grace I particularly pray for in this Novena, through Thine intercession, devoutly saying. Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE SEVENTH DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who, in Thy Holy Scapular, givest to those who devoutly wear it a strong buckler against the perils of this world and the attacks of the devil, proving the truth of this privilege by so many and such singular miracles ; I beseech Thee, O Lady, to be my powerful defence in this mortal life, so that in all my tribulations I may find security in Thee, and be victorious in my temptations, by means of Thine especial assistance ; and I beg of Thee to obtain for me from Thy Blessed Son Jesus, through Thine intercession, what I desire in this Novena ; I ask it of thee most humbly, O dear Lady, saying. Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRAYER FOR THE EIGHTH DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who hast promised Thine especial assistance at the hour of death to those who wear Thy Holy Scapular, so that by means of true penitence they may leave this life in a state of grace : I beseech Thee, O Lady, to assist and console me at the hour of my death, and to obtain for me a true and perfect contrition for all my sins, an ardent love of God, and a great desire of seeing and enjoying Him, so that I may arrive securely at eternal happiness ; and I beg of Thee to obtain for me the grace I ask in this Novena, through Thine intercession, saying, Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

THIRD PRATER FOR THE NINTH DAY

O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who even favourest Thy children the Carmelites after death, and, as a loving Mother, dost assist the souls of
those who wear Thy Holy Scapular when in the flames of Purgatory, and by Thy prayers obtainest for them a speedy deliverance from their sufferings, and the enjoyment of God in eternal glory: I beseech Thee, O dear Lady, to obtain for me, from His Majesty, the grace to fulfill my obligations as a Christian, so that I also may enjoy this singular favour; and I beg of Thee to obtain for me what I ask in this Novena, through Thine intercession, saying, Hail, Holy Queen, &c.

A short and devout manner of reciting the Holy  Rosary, as used in some of the Noviciates of the Order of Mount Carmel

O sweetest Jesus, my Redeemer, Thou beholdest now in Thy Divine Presence the most miserable and ungrateful of sinners, who has committed many and great faults, and is always falling into sin. I am sorry for them all, and am extremely grieved for having offended Thee, because Thou art my God, infinitely good; and I firmly purpose to amend, by the assistance of Thy grace. Most Sacred Virgin Mary, Mother of God and of mercy, defend me from my enemies, and help me, O dear Lady, always, but particularly at the hour of death; and now obtain for me the grace to recite attentively and devoutly this Holy Rosary, so that I may be worthy to be heard by Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen,

PREPARATORY PRAYER

FIRST DECADE

Pater Noster.
Monstra te esse Matrem, Mater Carineli.
10 Ave Marias

All the heavenly Spirits, and the glorious St. Gabriel, bless Thee ten thousand times and more, O Virgin Mary. Mother of God; and uniting with them, I bless Thee ten thousand times. Amen.

SECOND DECADE

Pater Noster
Monstra te esse Matrem, Mater Carmeli
10 Ave Marias.

All the Holy Patriarchs and Prophets, and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, bless Thee twenty thousand times and more, O Virgin Mary, Mother of God; and uniting with them, I bless Thee twenty thousand times. Amsn.

THIRD DECADE

Pater Noster
Monstra te esse Matrem, Mater Carmeli
10 Ave Marias.

Thirty thousand times and more all the Holy Apostles and the glorious St. John Evangelist praise Thee, O Virgin Mary, Mother of God; and uniting with them, I bless Thee thirty thousand times. Amen.

FOURTH DECADE

Pater Noster
Monstra te esse Matrem, Mater Carmeli
10 Ave Marias.

Forty thousand times and more all the Holy Martyrs and Confessors, and the glorious St. Joachim, praise Thee, 0 Virgin Mary, Mother of God; and uniting with them, I bless Thee forty thousand times. Amen.

FIFTH DECADE

Pater Noster
Monstra te esse Matrem, Mater Carmeli
10 Ave Marias.

Fifty thousand times and more all the Holy Virgins and Women praise Thee, O Virgin Mary, Mother of God; and uniting with them, I bless Thee fifty thousand times. Amen.

OFFERING

O Sovereign Queen of the Angels, Most Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, our life, our sweetness, and our hope;
I offer Thee this Rosary most humbly prostrate at Thy feet, although unworthy of being in Thy sacred Presence.
I offer Thee the devotion and purity with which all the Saints praise Thee, and the veneration which all the Holy Spirits
God bear towards Thee, and which I would also desire to have.
And I beg of Thee to obtain for me from Thy most dear Son the pardon of all my sins
a lively faith, a firm hope, a perfect charity, a true humility, a holy fear of God,
and grace to observe faithfully His Holy Commandments.
I also pray for the propagation of the Holy Catholic Faith
peace among Christian princes, victory over infidels,
with perseverance till the end, and eternal glory after death,
when we may praise Thy Divine Son for ever,
together with the Father and the Holy Ghost.
Amen.