Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Theme: To be born anew with Mary

Today, we celebrate two special events, the feast of our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and our being born anew in Christ with Mary.

Our Constitutions tell us that Carmel looks on Mary as its Lady and Mother, Protector and Trusted Friend, and Model and Ideal of its life of consecration. Indeed having Mary in the midst of our communities, we are drawn much closer to His Son Jesus, our beloved.

In the Scriptures, only a few accounts are told about Mary. Nevertheless, when contemplated upon, these short stories bring inspiration, hope and example from which one can draw what and how it is to be born anew. For example the event of the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke, Mary through her fiat allows life to spring forth from her. And I believe this is first and foremost what it means to be born anew with Mary – allowing ourselves to be channels of God’s grace were new life would gush forth. That is incarnating once again the Jesus in us.

Being born anew with Mary:

When one becomes bridge of peace and reconciliation, one is being born anew.
When one forgives and risks to love and trust again – one is being born anew.
When one affords to smile and celebrate life in the midst of challenges and difficulties – one is being born anew.
When one is able to die to one’s self, letting go of one’s selfish desires, going beyond one’s comfort zone for the greater good of all – one is being born anew.
Above all, when one is able to live courageously yet humbly placing one’s trust in the hands of the compassionate and ever faithful God so that others who come to her/his influence fully live and grow in faith and love, then one is truly being born anew.


Just like Mary in today’s Gospel who steadfastly stand at the foot of her Son in Calvary. It is he witnessing that revived and reunited the Disciples of Christ that eventually recreated and renewed them in faith, love and courage.

Are we born anew?

Let us ask the special grace to be born anew through the intercession of Mary, our Mother and our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Liturgists: Sr. Sherna Advincula, C.M. and Sr. Amelita Berso, C.M.