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Quick Contacts

Mnistry Contact:
Tricia Mancini
Phone Number:
(954) 304-2298

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The Brown Scapular

Early documents bear witness to the Carmelite hermits great love for Mary, who fulfilled the Elijahn ideals. They were so devoted to Mary that they were called the Brothers of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

According to tradition, St. Simon Stock appealed to Our Lady for assistance at a crucial time in Carmel's history. Mary appeared to him holding the Scapular, and promised eternal life for all who die clothed in this garment.

The Scapular is a miniature habit, a highly indulgenced sacramental and a privileged sign of affiliation to the Carmelite Order. It should be a sign of our committed love to Mary and our inner conviction to live an exemplary life for God. This habit, which is a miniature sleeveless monastic apron with strings, signifies the Carmelite's willingness to serve God following Mary's directive, "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2:5)

The very act of wearing the Scapular is a sign of trust and of our Marian heritage.  It reminds us of our commitment to her and encourages a deepening love of Mary and her Son, Jesus.  We know that she will com to our aid at the moment of death.  "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

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Lay Carmelites

The Lay Carmelites - Meet the third Sunday of the month at 12:15 p.m. mass in the Church.

"God is Love."  When a profound truth is simply expressed, it becomes a challenge.  The Truths of revelation, though simple in themselves, can be a moving and/or threatening experience as we try to incorporate them into our lives.  

Lay Carmelites are people who desire and thirst for a deeper love of God.  They seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help them in their quest to seal their Baptismal promise of being a faithful follower of Christ.  They seek to live the Gospel way, a life enriched with daily Mass, contemplative prayer and a communion of life and ministry.  Guidelines are furnished in the lay Carmelite Rule, which is based on Carmel's rich heritage and tradition; and in their Provincial Statutes, which carefully develop the Rule and adapt it to their culture in harmony with the Gospel truths and the spirit of Vatican II, which calls us to a new life of service in the modern world.

Carmelites draw inspiration form the lives of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the prophet Elijah.  Carmelites know that Mary is our Mother, Patroness and Sister. In her they find all that they hope and desire to be.  They know that Mary loves her special children with a delicate touch and constant vigil. She helps them to better know and understand her interior journey, listening heart and tremendous abandonment in the midst of confusions, darkness and unknown.  Through her they realize that the call to Carmel is truly a vocation of LOVE!

The challenge of Carmel is to seek God's presence in prayer while living an active, busy life in the midst of the world.  The contemplative and active spirit is represented in the flaming sword of Elijah.  His motto, "I am most zealous the Lord God of hosts", is reflected in Carmelites as they serve the ignorant, suffering and under privileged, seeing in them the suffering face of Jesus.

Carmelites are called to live their charism in a silent listening to the Word, making life a prayer.  They are formed by the Spirit into the Mystical Body of Christ. They form a special community that bonds with Carmel's spirituality and tradition through promises of chastity and obedience according to their state of life. They support each other, share insights that deepen their rooted ness in Christ and study about Carmel's great saints and rich heritage.  They challenge and are challenged in their life of commitment to Jesus and Mary through Carmel.

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The Lay Carmelite Order

"The Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (historically known as the Third Order) is an association of mainly laypersons.  Its members, responding to a special call of freely and deliberately commit themselves 'to live in the following of Jesus Christ' according to the traditions and spirit of Carmel under the authority of the Prior General of the Carmelite Order.  The members, though not in Religious Life, choose to live out their baptismal commitment according to the spirit of the Carmelite Order. Carmelite spirituality stresses purity of heart and "vacare Deo," the emptying of  self so that God can be our all.  The call to Carmel, a call to seek God's will in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life, roots Lay Carmelites in a live of those with whom they live and work, in the search for God's face, and in solidarity with God's people everywhere." (Provincial Statutes: Part I, Chapter 1.)

Privileges

  • Membership in Carmelite Order
  • Recieve pratical help to achieve personal holiness in community
  • Share in the Apostolic life and prayer  of the order

Duties

  • Faithfulness in prayer and in daily living as reflected in Rule and Statutes
  • Love of Mary and the following of her example in discipleship
  • Involvement in community and in the furthering of God's kingdom
  • To wear the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
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