Mati Carmel Fiesta set

MATI CITY – The Carmelite Community of sisters of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) in TuaTua, Matiao, Mati City, once again welcome the devotees and all the Catholic faithful to the yearly novena and Fiesta of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in their Monastery Chapel.

Starting last July 7, 2014, the weekday schedule till the 15th of July is – 5:30 P.M. for Holy Rosary and Novena Prayers followed by Holy Mass at 6:00 P.M.  On Sunday, July 13th, the Holy Rosary & Novena Prayers will take place at 6:30 A.M. followed by the Celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice at 7:00 A.M.

July 16th, Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, three Masses will be celebrated – at 6:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M.  The Procession from the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral to Carmel Monastery will take place at 4:30 P.M.

A bus will be available to transport all interested participants before and after the liturgical celebrations. This will wait at the gasoline station near the Cathedral 15 minutes before the scheduled prayer time; likewise be around to do the same service after the Eucharistic Celebration.

The Prioress, Rev. Mo. Maria Lourdes of the Imm. Conception, OCD, earlier explained to all beloved friends and benefactors of Mati Carmel that “Year 2014 marks our final year of preparation for the 5th Centenary of the Birth of St. Teresa of Jesus, foundress of the Discalced Carmelite Order.  Relative to this, we desire to make the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel extra special for we belong to Her Order and She is our Queen and Beauty of Carmel.”

Mo. Lourdes continued to encourage the friends and devotees of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to invite their families, neighbors; friends in their workplaces, schools and communities or associations to join the Novena Masses, adding that the laity’s active involvement in the Fiesta Liturgical Celebrations will be a significant way of commemorating the current Y2014 as Year of the Laity, per decree of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The same message reminded the faithful of the special moments of praise and thanksgiving to God they make for all the blessings He has continually showered on us, esp. the gift of Our Blessed Mother and Her Brown Scapular.

The Prioress assured all that personal or community intentions “will be lovingly offered in all the Masses.  For those of you who could not come, rest assured that you will be remembered with gratitude for all your kindnesses in our Holy Masses as we invite you to celebrate these days with us in the spirit of communion.”

In conclusion, Mo. Lourdes expressed their community’s prayerful gratitude and invoked God’s blessings for  everyone joining “this annual pilgrimage with our hope that all will be drawn closer to God through the intercession of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Saint Joseph.”