The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, popularly known as the Feast of the Scapular (Benthin) was celebrated at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte-Mangaluru on Sunday July 14 along with Secular Carmelites and the faithful.

There were three masses for the entire day including a solemn festal mass at 6.00 pm. During all the masses the Holy Scapular, the symbol of Our Lady’s protection, was distributed.

Novena was held in preparation for the feast which began on July 5, with a reflection each day on the themes taken from the Regula given by St Albert the then Patriarch of Jerusalme. The lay faithful who had gone to the Holy Land to fight Crusades remained in the caves of Mount Carmel and started to live a life of prayer and contemplation imitating Prophet Elijah. Later these approached the Patriarch for a rule and thus they gave birth to the Carmelite Order which is spread all over the world.

Rev. Fr. Walter D'Souza, the newly appointed Parish Priest of St Sebastian CHurch, Bendur presided over the festal mass and preached the homily. Fr Stifan Perera the Director of the Shrine thanked all the benefactors and volunteers, who are at the service of Carmelites of Carmel Hill throughout the year.

On the occasion of the Feast, the Carmelite sponsored scholarship of 25 children of the Mercy Care Charitable Trust. Fr Melvin DCuna, the Superior of the Monastery handed over the Cheque to Mr Maxim Fernandes, the Managing Trustee.

Two books published by Dhyanavana Publications were released on the occasion. 'Taklentlo Devnchar' by Rev Fr Rudolph D'Souza and the Darma Bhaginiyari by B.M. Rohini, which gives a brief history, mission of more than fifty religious congregations of women in and around Mangalore and Udupi.

Scapular, which is a Marian devotion, a sign of her maternal protection and care were blessed and distributed to all the devotees.

Rev. Fr Daniel Veigas, Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Rev. Fr. James D'Souza, the Vicare Forene of City Varado, Rev Fr. Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest of Cordel Parish, Rev Fr Dominic Vas, OCD Parish Priest of Infant Mary Church Bajjodi were present. The devotees came in large numbers throughout the day and received the immense blessings of Our Lady of Mt Carmel.