The Novena
The Novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a devotional practice deeply rooted in the tradition of the Catholic Church, especially associated with the Carmelite Order. Its origins date back to the 12th century, when hermits settled on Mount Carmel in Palestine, dedicating themselves to a contemplative life under the protection of the Virgin Mary. The word “Carmel” derives from Mount Carmel, which means “garden” in Hebrew, symbolising fertility and spiritual beauty.
Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel gained prominence with the tradition that, on 16 July 1251, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, then Prior General of the Carmelite Order, giving him the scapular as a sign of protection and alliance. This date was later established as the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated annually on 16 July.
The Novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel traditionally begins on 7 July, culminating in the liturgical feast on 16 July. During these nine days, the faithful are invited to meditate on the virtues of Mary, seek her intercession, and renew their commitment to the Christian life, often symbolised by wearing the scapular.
This devotional practice aims to strengthen faith, promote personal conversion, and encourage the imitation of Marian virtues, especially humility, purity, and obedience to the will of God. The Novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is an opportunity for the faithful to deepen their relationship with the Mother of God, finding in her a perfect model of discipleship to Christ.
Antiphon
Flower of Carmel, blossoming vine, splendour of heaven,
O Mother, unique Virgin,
Gentle Mother, ever Virgin,
Grant privilege to the Carmelites, Star of the Sea.
Hail Mary
Final Prayer
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
First Day
Antiphon
Prayer: O Mary, Immaculate Virgin Mother, Queen of Carmel, who were beheld by the prophet Elijah in the little cloud rising from the sea, later transformed into abundant rain, pour forth upon all humanity the graces of your Immaculate Heart and convert poor sinners.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Second Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Queen and Mother of Carmel, Immaculate Virgin Mother, who for centuries were honoured in your divine motherhood on Mount Carmel by the prophet Elijah and his successors—the Sons of the Prophets—may this same deep devotion reign in our families, so that your Divine Son Jesus may ever be present in our homes, guarding us for eternal life.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Third Day
Antiphon
Prayer: O Immaculate Mary, Most Holy Virgin of Carmel, who visited your Carmelite children on Mount Carmel, consoling them and granting them abundant graces, visit also our souls, helping us to flee from sin and lovingly practise works of mercy.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Fourth Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Queen of Carmel, remember that your Carmelite children on Mount Carmel, after Pentecost, embraced the Gospel and proclaimed it everywhere, teaching all to know and love you; and on Mount Carmel, they consecrated the first temple in the world in your honour. Grant us many missionaries, who everywhere may make you known for the spread of the Kingdom of Jesus.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Fifth Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel, who have given the Holy Scapular as a pledge of salvation to your Carmelite children, we thank you and beg for the grace to live in fidelity to God’s Law, so that at our death, we may count on your presence and go to heaven to behold you eternally.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Sixth Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Mary, Immaculate Virgin Mother, Queen of Carmel, who have granted extraordinary graces through your Holy Scapular, help me to wear it worthily, preserving purity of heart and conduct, and rejecting all that might offend your most pure gaze.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Seventh Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Queen and Mother of Carmel, who have wrought great miracles through the Holy Scapular, cover the world with the radiance of Your Immaculate Heart, so that the kingdom of evil and sin may be weakened, and all peoples may draw closer to you, to imitate your purity and charity.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Eighth Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Mary, Immaculate Virgin Mother, Queen of Carmel, who have ever granted the greatest graces to the Carmelites, send us many priestly and religious vocations, and vocations for the Secular Carmel, so that your name may be ever more glorified, for the glory of your Son Jesus Christ.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.
Ninth Day
Antiphon
Prayer: Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel, who watch over the Holy Church with maternal love, bless the Holy Father, our bishop, the priests, religious, and all Christian people. Bless each one of us who seek your protection now and at the hour of our death.
Hail Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!
Final Prayer:
Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary, beauty and glory of Carmel, you who show special kindness to those who wear your beloved habit, turn your gracious gaze upon me as well and cover me with the mantle of your maternal protection.
By your power, strengthen my weakness; by your wisdom, dispel the darkness of my mind; increase within me faith, hope, and charity. Adorn my soul with virtues that may make me pleasing to your Divine Son and to you. Assist me throughout life and console me at death by your loving presence, so that I may praise and bless you eternally in paradise as your devoted child. Amen.