Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Jul. 16, 2026

Expected Our Lady of Mount Carmel Deals

For Our Lady of Mount Carmel Day, the focus shifts from commercial deals to spiritual enrichment and community support. Many religious goods retailers, like Catholic Supply of St. Louis or Autom, may offer discounts on brown scapulars, Marian statues, and devotional books. Catholic publishers such as Ignatius Press or Ave Maria Press often highlight relevant titles. Parishes and Carmelite communities might organize special Masses, novenas, or fundraising drives for their ministries. Consider donating to organizations like Catholic Charities or directly to local Carmelite monasteries. We will update this page with confirmed live events and any special offerings as July 16 approaches.

History of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Carmelite Order was the only religious order to begin in the Crusader States. In the 13th century, some of its members migrated west to England, setting up a new chapter from about 1241 to 1242.

In the late 14th century, the belief was that Saint Simon Stock, an early English prior general of the Carmelite Order soon after it migrated to England, had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she gave him the brown scapular. This formed part of the Carmelite habit after 1287.

In 1642, a Carmelite named Fr. John Cheron released a document he attested was a 13th-century letter written by Saint Simon Stock’s secretary, Peter Swannington. Since the early 20th century historians have concluded that Cheron likely forged this letter himself.

However, Stock’s vision had many supporters of scapular devotion. The forged Swanington letter claimed that July 16, 1251, was the date of the vision —July 16 being the date of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel — which led for centuries to a strong association between this feast day and the scapular devotion.

Based on available historical documentation, the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel did not have a specific association with the Brown Scapular or the tradition of Stock’s vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition grew gradually, as did the liturgical cult of St. Simon. In 1726, it became a celebration of the Universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Although Simon Stock was never officially declared a saint, his feast day was acknowledged in the church. The Carmelite convent of Aylesford, England, was revived, and a relic of Saint Simon Stock was kept there in 1951. The saint’s feast is celebrated in certain places dedicated to him.

In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, there has been particular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who has been adopted as a patron saint of several places, as she has been in other Catholic-majority countries. Our lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated as an optional memorial on July 16 in the Catholic Church.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Our Lady of Mount Carmel