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Feast of the Virgen del Carmen July 16
As is tradition for parishioners, today the feast of the Virgen del Carmen is celebrated in all the Catholic churches of the world.
According to traditions, this festival is celebrated because on July 16, 1251, San Simón Stock was in deep prayer when suddenly the virgin appears with a habit of the order and a scapular that she hands over to the man. At that time Simón was superior of the Carmelites and prayed with devotion for his persecuted brothers.
In her apparition, the Blessed Virgin tells Simon:
“ My son, receive this Scapular of your order, which will be from now on a sign of my fellowship, a privilege for you and for all who wear it. Whoever dies with him will not suffer eternal fire. It is a sign of salvation, shelter in the dangers of body and soul, alliance of peace and everlasting pact”.
The Virgin wore the habit of the Carmelites, carrying the Child Jesus in her arms and in her hands a scapular.
After its appearance, the devotion to the Virgen del Carmen and the spirituality of the Carmelites gained strength not only in them but in all the devotees of the Virgin in the world.
Since then, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated every year by all the Catholic parishioners of the world.
Mount Carmel was the place where prophets and other people worshiped God to lead a hermit life (a person who chooses to profess a solitary life without permanent contact with society). It was then that devotees from the Holy Land built the first church dedicated to Saint Mary of Mount Carmel in the middle of the 12th century.
In Colombia, caravans are made to pay tribute to the Virgen del Carmelo, patron saint of drivers, and a very special mass is held to celebrate her appearance.
