Today is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, an ancient feast in the life of the Church. For those of you who do not know about this feast day here is a website where you can go to read about Our Lady of Mount Carmel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Mount_Carmel. A great sacramental associated with this particular feast is the scapular. Our Lady promises that those who wear the scapular will be protected from all harm and evil.
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is particularly special for me since thirty six years ago on this day my diaphragm started working. On July 16 1976 the nurse took me off the respirator to give me a bath. Giving me a bath required me to be off the respirator for a few minutes so I would grind my teeth as I struggled to breathe. This night was unique! Our Lady granted me the grace to breathe on my own and I was able to take 3 little breaths for the first time since I got sick. The nurse was so amazed that she showed me off to the other nurses and doctors. When my parents heard the good news they attributed the graces of Our Blessed Mother. My doctor, Dr. Noah, knew my parents had great devotion to Our Lady because little improvements to my recovery happened on other Marian feast days. So she said to my mother (in her heavy Israeli accent), "Mrs. Villyums, could you please tell me when these Marian feast days are!"
Happy Feast Day! Thank you, Mother Mary, for your many graces!
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
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