Sights & Sounds: Virgin of Mount Carmel visits streets of Jersey City
According to tradition, on July 16, 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, an Englishman who was then the prior general of the Carmelite Order. During the apparition, Mary revealed to Saint Simon the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which also came to be called the “Brown Scapular.” Over time, use of the sacramental spread widely, and the Carmelites began to commemorate the event with a special feast.
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is now celebrated on July 16 by Catholics around the world. There are churches named after her on every inhabited continent — including seven parishes and one oratory in the Archdiocese of Newark. Throughout the month of July, those Catholic communities honored Our Lady of Mount Carmel with processions, festivals, novenas and special Masses.
For the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jersey City, celebrations surrounding the feast of their patroness go back generations, with a sense of devotion passed down from parents to children.
A tradition passed from one generation to the next
That sense of deep family tradition was evident as dozens of parishioners and members of the local community processed behind a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Infant Jesus through neighborhood streets on July 16. Also accompanying the Holy Virgin were flagbearers, several priests, a small band playing traditional Italian tunes, along with a large contingent from the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. The mayor of Jersey City, James Solomon, also joined the procession.
Along the route, houses had set up small shrines with statues of the Blessed Virgin. Like the statue in the procession, they were adorned with blue sashes with currency pinned to them — offerings of thanksgiving for blessings received over the years.
Many shrines also displayed family photos, showing loved ones who have passed on, but who were especially remembered and prayed for on a day they held dear.
One gentleman, Domenico Manzo, has lived in the neighborhood since the early 1950s. Now 98, he hugged the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Father Pedro Repollet, and his summer assistant, Father Tomasz Mazurek, as they stopped to bless the Manzo family and the elaborate shrine they had set up.
The display included a photo of Domenico’s wife, Lucia, who died last year. The couple were cherished members of the parish and their neighborhood, known locally as the Marion Section, for more than 70 years.
“Everybody loves her”
As the procession continued, other members of the community expressed how much the tradition meant to them. One woman, Carmen, said that her mother had named her after Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and that her family “had a big devotion to her” that went back decades.
Annissa, a parishioner who is active in the festival, said that the ethnic makeup of the neighborhood had changed a lot over the decades. “It doesn’t matter, though,” she said, indicating the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. “Everybody loves her.”
For one woman, the procession provided a welcome surprise. “They usually don’t come down this street!” Carleen said with a big smile. When Father Repollet stopped to bless her with holy water, she was delighted and deeply grateful. Carleen explained that she recently had hip surgery and was unable to walk in this year’s procession.
Meeting people where they are
“I rejoice, because this is the reason I became a priest — to bring Jesus to people that are hurting, in need, and who want to know Him,” Father Repollet said. “To be able to have this procession, bringing Jesus and Our Lady of Mount Carmel to their homes, meeting them where they are, is a great joy.”
“This beautiful parish tradition is over a hundred years old,” he added, “and we want to keep it going.”
As an important part of that tradition, several of the Franciscan sisters carried the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the last leg of the procession, bringing her back to her home parish in Jersey City.
Celebrating God who gives life
After the procession, Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau arrived for a special Mass, concelebrated by the many priests who had walked with the parish that afternoon. The liturgy was held in the parish hall as the church building is currently undergoing repairs. By the time the first chords of the opening hymn started playing, the hall was standing room only.
In his homily, the Bishop Chau emphasized the profound meaning of the feast day.
“We celebrate the Blessed Mother, but she’s pointing to the true instrument of life, her Son. So, in celebrating Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we’re celebrating Jesus. We’re celebrating our God who is true God, the one who gives life,” Bishop Chau said.
“Jesus came into the world to give you life,” Bishop Chau added, inviting worshippers to repeat the words to each other. “He took your humanity to share his divinity with you.”
“That is what we celebrate today on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” he concluded.
Our Virgin of Mount Carmel was also honored and celebrated at many other parishes throughout the archdiocese during the month of July, including at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Newark and at Church of the Little Flower in Berkeley Heights.
To view images of all these celebrations and others held during the month of July, CLICK HERE.
Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women, and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.
Featured image: Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary carry a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Infant Jesus during Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parishes procession through Jersey City on July 16. (Unless otherwise noted, Photos by John Touhey / Archdiocese of Newark)
