The Commemoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Missa “Gaudeámus omnes“
The Sacred Scriptures speak of the beauty of Mount Carmel where the Prophet Elijah defended the faith of Israel in the living God. There, at the beginning of the thirteenth century, under the title of “Saint Mary of Mount Carmel” the Order of Carmelites had its formal beginning.
According to a pious tradition, on the day of Pentecost a number of men who walked in the footsteps of the holy Prophets Elias and Eliseus, and whom John the Baptist had prepared for the advent of Jesus, embraced the Christian faith, and erected the first church to the Blessed Virgin on Mount Carmel, on the very spot where Elias had seen a cloud arise, a figure of the fecundity of the Mother of Called. They were called “Brethren of the Blessed Mary of Mount Carmel”. These religious came to Europe in the thirteenth century and in 1245 Innocent IV gave his approbation to their Rule under the generalship of Simon Stock from England.
On July 16th 1251, Mary appeared to Simon Stock and placed in his hands the habit and attached to it many privileges, not only for the members of the Order, but also for those who entered the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
From the fourteenth century this title, recalling the countless blessings of its patroness, began to be solemnly celebrated, first in England and then gradually throughout the whole Order. It attained its supreme place from the beginning of the seventeenth century when the General Chapter declared it to be the principal feast of the Order, and Paul V recognised it as the feast of the Scapular Confraternity.
St Andrew’s Daily Missal: Mass p.1316
INTROIT Sedulius
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and join in praising the Son of God. Ps 44:2 My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and join in praising the Son of God.
COLLECT
O God, Who honored the Order of Carmel with the special title of the most blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Your mother, graciously grant, that we who this day honor her commemoration with solemn rites, defended by her care, may be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
EPISTLE Sir 24:23-31
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus. I bud forth delights like the vine, my blossoms become fruit fair and rich. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come to me, all you that yearn for me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance better to have than honey and the honeycomb. My memory is to everlasting generations. They who eat of me will hunger still, and they who drink of me will thirst for more. He who obeys me will not be put to shame, they who serve me will never fail. They who explain me shall have life everlasting.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA
Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, without spot, were found the mother of the Savior. V. O Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world cannot contain, shut Himself in your womb, becoming man. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Mother of God, the life that had been lost was given us through you, who received your offspring from heaven, and brought forth a Savior into the world. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 11. 27-28
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Jer 18:20
Remember, O Virgin Mother, to speak good things before God’s face in our behalf, so that He may turn away His wrath from us.
SECRET
O Lord, we beseech You, make holy the sacrificial gifts we offer, and by the most powerful prayers of blessed Mary, Mother of God, grant they may be helpful to our salvation. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.
PREFACE of the Blessed Virgin Mary
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, in the Festivity of the Blessed Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
O most worthy Queen of the whole world, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for our peace and for our safety: you who brought forth Christ the Lord, the Savior of all.
POSTCOMMUNION
May the venerable intercession of Your glorious Mother Mary, ever Virgin, help us, O Lord, that those whom she has ladened with lasting benefits may be delivered from all dangers and be made of one mind by her godliness. Who liveth and reigneth with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.
The Brighton Oratory 