CARMELITES DEDICATE 2001 TO CELEBRATION OF MARIAN YEAR

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Pope sent a Message to Fr. Joseph Chalmers, prior general of the Order of Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.Carm.), and to Fr. Camillo Maccise, superior general of the Order of Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.C.D.), on the occasion of the celebration of a Marian Year in 2001.

In the Message, dated March 25, the Holy Father expresses his joy that the Carmelite Order, in its two branches, old and reformed, has dedicated the year 2001 to the Virgin, "invoked as Flower of Carmel, Mother and Guide in the journey to sanctity." The celebration of the Marian Year coincides with the 750th anniversary of the Virgin's gift of the scapular to St. Simon Stock, prior general of the Order, on July 16, 1251.

"I hope that this Marian Year helps all Carmelite men and women religious and the pious faithful who venerate Mary filially," he concluded, "to grow in her love and radiate in the world the presence of this Lady of silence and prayer, invoked as Mother of mercy, Mother of hope and of grace."

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