The Carmelite claim to the special patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary dates back to the very origins of the order. A twentieth century archaeological find on Mount Carmel revealed the existence of an oratory from the third century dedicated to the Mother of God, two centuries before the Council of Ephesus honoured Mary with this title. This shows that Carmel was a place of special devotion to Mary from the earliest days of Christianity. Pilgrims from all over Europe settled on Mount Carmel under Mary’s patronage, a privilege which the Order cherishes to this day. Feasts of our Lady, especially the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16th July are, therefore, kept with great love and devotion.
Through the centuries the Carmelite saints and spiritual writers have all revealed, in different ways, something of what the love of the Mother of God has meant in their lives. Devotion to Mary however is deeply personal and, given the interior nature of our contemplative prayer, mostly takes the form of a silent and loving union with her. From this union flows joy in her intercession and a great charity. Mary is the mother and friend who walks with us securely through the ups and downs of every day and in the gift of self so vital in all consecrated life. The most powerful form of devotion to the Mother of God is expressed in the imitation of her virtues, in her openness to God's Will to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and in her total service and love of Jesus.