Our Lady of Mount Carmel
By
Lisa Rocchio
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This is a picture of the Blessed
Mother as she is seen in the church of
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel
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History
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The history of the Sanctuary of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel which is located on 115th Street in New York is closely
associated with the immigration of Italians to America.
Italian immigrants established themselves in the
lower part of the East side of Manhattan. Areas such as the famous Mulberry
Street and Canal Street came to be known as the Little Italies.
The third Little Italy was, of course, East Harlem.
Typical of all these Little Italies was the
celebration of the popular feasts to which were reminiscences of their
homes in their native lands. The feast of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel was
first held in 1881. This feast enlivened the desire to have a church dedicated
to the fulfillment of religious duties and to venerate the Blessed Mother.
This church would be built by the Italians, and was to be called the
parish of the Italians in New York. |
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This is a picture of the Church
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
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With the completion of the church came the arrival
of the Statue of the Blessed Mother. The Statute came from Italy and was
adorned with precious garments. Thereafter, the Church of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel became a sanctuary. Thousands of people took pilgrimages to visit
the Sanctuary, each bearing gifts and devotion to the Blessed Mother. Italians
offered wedding rings, earrings, and necklaces to the Blessed Mother; for
they believed that it was the Blessed Mother who kept a watchful eye on
them in this new world.
Soon after, the statue was officially coronated by
the papacy. The coronation of the Statue gave a new impulse to the devotion
for the Madonna. One can truly say that there was not one Italian during
that generation who did not visit at least once the Sacred Temple on the
occasion of the feast during the month of July. People prayed to the Madonna,
and miraculously sick children were cured, fatal injuries became scratches
and bruises. Italians have prayed to the Madonna in times of despair and
see her as their miracle worker and guardian angel. Thus, the procession
from the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel through the streets of East
Harlem is seen as a way of honoring the Blessed Mother. Although the procession
has dwindled down to a few hundred people; the magic is still there along
with the hopes, dreams, and beliefs of the first Italians in New York City.
Interesting Facts
- The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 115th Street is the first
Italian Parish.
At one time more than 500,000 people attended the feast of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel during the month of July before and after the feast day which
takes place on July16th.
- There are only three Images of the Blessed Virgin that have been coronated
by Pontifical Authority: Lady of Mount Carmel in 115th Street in New York,
Our Lady of Perpetual Help in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Lady of Guadalupe
in Mexico.
- The dress of the Madonna was made in India and is valued at 8,000 dollars.
- The crown of the Madonna and child is gold, adorned with precious stones.
- There have been several documented miracles that have been believed
to be performed by the Blessed Mother.
- The Coronated Statue is taken down in procession only on special occasion
and with the authorization of Ecclesiastical Authority.
- The procession is still held today at East 115th Streets.
Links
- [All links have gone bad]
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This is a prayer card of Our Lady
of Mount Carmel it states:
Miraculous Image of
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel
which is venerated in the
Church of the Pallottine Fathers
447E. 115th St.- New York
(Incoronated by Pontifical Decree
of July 10,1904)
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Bibliography
- Domenico Pistella. The Crowning Of A Queen, trans. Peter Rofrano.
New York, 1954
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