A Video Message Of The Prior General On The Occasion Of The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel In The Jubilee Year 2025

Sisters and Brothers in Carmel,

Once again, we have the joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.

We do so this year as part of the Jubilee celebrations and this gives added significance to our novenas, processions and liturgical celebrations because this year the late Pope Francis asked us to look at the hope that is in our lives and at the foundations of that hope, Jesus Christ and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Because of them and what they represent we are able to live in hope with a hope that cannot disappoint. Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God. Mary is the handmaid of the Lord, ever obedient to his Word. Jesus, hanging on the Cross is the promise of resurrection, the victory over all that could hold us back. Mary stood and understood and without knowing what was happening, remained in hope and did not turn away as she saw her Son dying of crucifixion. 

For Carmelites who read John’s account of that moment every year in our celebration, the message is very clear. We are not alone. Our hope is in Jesus Christ and in Mary. Our hope is also in our brothers and sisters. We must not lose hope in one another. While there are many things that are bound to disappoint us in what is happening at this time in the world, our hope in one another can still flourish as we recognise the work of God and the tenderness of Mary in those with whom we live. When we pray for peace we think of the thousands and thousands of people who are praying with us. When Elijah thought that he was alone, he soon discovered that there were seven thousand other prophets who had not bent their knee to Baal. (I Kg 19,18) Heaven’s gates are open, we are flanked by sisters and brothers like us, and we stand on the earth blessed by the feet of Jesus and Mary. We look down at the earth touched by our feet as pilgrims of hope and workers in the vineyard, walking in the direction of hope, moving away from all that speaks of death into a realm of hope through fraternity, prayer and service in the way that Carmel understands these three words. They say to us that a Carmelite life lived well, will always offer reason for hope for those who are willing to accept it. 

I pray that our celebrations may increase our joy and our hope and lead many others to find that hope and joy in Jesus the Incarnate Word, in Mary the Mother of Jesus ever obedient to his word, and in the people who adorn each day of our lives, as brothers and sisters, pilgrims of hope.

Rome, July 5, 2025

Míċeál O'Neill, O. Carm.
Prior General