R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that
belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick—
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

This weekend, as your Pastor, I use the faculty of our Diocese to transfer July 16^th the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to the proximate Sunday. We now celebrate the Mass of Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is 116 years old, and 12 years ago, Saint Anthony Church was merged with Our Lady of Mount Carmel as one parish. 10 years ago, Pope Francis named Our Lady of Mount Carmel a Basilica by the grace of God. And this year, on May the 8^th, Pope Francis has established a very special bond between Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a minor Basilica, and the Basilica of Mary Major in Rome.

St. Mary Major is the first church of all the churches in the world dedicated to Mary as Mother of God. This is an extreme privilege for us all since only 300 churches in the entire world have this special bond. Attached to this special bond are some opportunities for a plenary indulgence. We should be extremely grateful. This extraordinary privilege I will publish in the bulletin for you so that you can enjoy the graces that flow from this special privilege. At the 11 o’clock Mass, Bishop Bonnar will make the formal announcement.

I think the readings today from Holy Scripture fit well our celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Amos the prophet was given the mission to prophesy the message of God to the people of Israel. Mary, as the Mother of God, is a prophetic person since she carried the very Message of God, Christ the Lord, within her womb. Saint Paul today sums it all up and says, “All things in Christ, both in Heaven and on Earth.” Mary the Mother of God is a clear picture of a woman and mother who shows us that all things are to be in Christ. Our Lord Jesus, in the Gospel, reminds us of how we are to journey together – never alone – at least two-by-two, and to travel lightly – never weighed down by the things of this world. Mary traveled with Jesus and the Apostles, always freely and never tied down to the things of this earth.

Let me put it another way: Ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Mother of God, to help you see and to live a life that reflects the very mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Mother of God, to live as though all things in Heaven and on Earth are in Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Mother of God, to help you journey in life each day with the members of His Holy Church, and to travel lightly, never being bogged down by the things of this world.

Let us now enter into the Holy Sacrifice of the Lord Himself on the Altar, as we give honor and veneration to Our Lady of Mount Carmel on this her Solemnity. Amen.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos,
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”

R. (8)    Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.