Day 3: Flower of Carmel

The third day addresses Mary as Flower of Carmel, the title preserved in the medieval Carmelite hymn Flos Carmeli.

Mary, Flower of Carmel

The hymn Flos Carmeli, attributed to Saint Simon Stock himself, addresses Mary as the flower that blooms on Mount Carmel: pure, unique, a witness to the goodness of creation. The flower is also a Catholic symbol of the Marian virtues that bear fruit in the souls who are consecrated to her.

Prayer

Flos Carmeli, Vitis Florigera, Splendor Coeli, Virgo Puerpera, singularis. Mater mitis sed viri nescia, Carmelitis da privilegia, Stella Maris. (Flower of Carmel, blossoming vine, splendor of heaven, child-bearing virgin, unique. Gentle mother yet unknowing of man, grant your privileges to those of Carmel, Star of the Sea.) Amen.

Conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.