Our Lady of Mt Carmel and St. Simon Stock, unknown artist

Flos Carmeli (Flower of Carmel) is one of the most beautiful prayers ever written to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“The Flos Carmeli is a Carmelite hymn and prayer. Flos Carmeli is Latin for “Flower of Carmel” and was first used as the sequence for the Feast of Saint Simon Stock (May 16). Beginning in 1663 it became the sequence for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16). It is said to have been written by St. Simon Stock himself (c1165-1265). The prayer is taken from the first two stanzas of the sequence.”

“Oral tradition tells of St. Simon Stock praying with a passionate intensity to Our Lady of Mount Carmel during a time of great distress and hardship for the Order. With fervor and faith, he prayed for the first time the Flos Carmeli prayer which he wrote. And Our Lady answered that prayer. Thus, for seven centuries the Flos Carmeli continues to be prayed to the Blessed Mother with the firm faith that she will answer its request with her powerful help and intercession.” *

* Copied from the Website of the Carmelite Sisters, OCD.

The prayer below is from the first two verses of the longer sequence. I love this prayer very much and we also sing it (the hymn version) together with our Lay Carmelite community at our monthly meetings.

Flos Carmeli Prayer

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular,
who brought the Son of God,
still ever remaining a Pure Virgin,
assist me in this necessity.
O Star of the Sea, help and protect me!
Show me that thou art my Mother.

O Mary conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

Mother and Beauty of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation!
Amen!

 St. Simon Stock, pray for us!