I was asked why Mary is called “ Our Lady of Mt. Carmel” at Garabandal. The ArcAngel St. Michael told Conchita this. “By now [July 1, 1961] the town had put up safety barriers. I guess there were as many as five hundred people. Many of them were praying along with us. When the angel appeared he was smiling and then said” : “I have come to announce to you a visit by the Virgin, under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who will appear to you tomorrow, Sunday.” “MIRACLE AT GARABANDAL”, by Harry Daley, Chapter 2, “CONCHITA SPEAKS AT GARABANDAL” Attached Files: a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 10px 10px 0px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1; background-image: url("styles/xensplash/xenforo/gradients/category-23px-light.png"); background-position: center top; background-size: initial; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; border-radius: 5px;"> OLOG (2).jpg File size: 67 KB Views: 1 Glenn, Monday at 7:25 AM
As a Carmelite I will say that I have never heard the cloud being described as in the shape of a foot. The Bible describes the cloud as in the shape or size of a hand. Traditionally the cloud (in the shape of a hand) was interpreted by Carmelites as representing Mary. Just as the cloud which is made of fresh water (pure) that rose up on the horizon over the sea which is salty (impure), Mary was born from sinful humanity (impure) yet she was sinless (pure). This idea of the cloud being in the shape of a foot did not sit well with me because if you stretch out your arm, your hand in its outline looks like the outline of Mary. Just as the cloud carried the life giving pure water that gives life after years of no rain, Mary is the vessel that carries the living water. She is the Mediatrix of all graces. The Triumph of Her Immaculate Heart (her intercession) brings about an era of peace which can also be described as a new springtime. Pray for springtime rain, our world is parched. "And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising out of the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezre′el. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Eli′jah; and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezre′el."
1 Kings 18:44 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition 44 And at the seventh time, behold, a little cloud arose out of the sea like a man's foot. And he said: Go up and say to Achab: Prepare thy chariot and go down, lest the rain prevent thee https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 kings 18:44&version=DRA hand כְּכַף־ (kə·ḵap̄-) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan https://biblehub.com/1_kings/18-44.htm#lexicon
Thank you for posting this. I use the Standard Revised Version Catholic Edition. Good to know the alternate translation, for further reflection.
Our Lady of Mt Carmel to me as a secular Carmelite. Mt Carmel is where Elijah and his followers went to pray. In the caves. The Carmelites are the prayer warriors and are cloistered devoting their lives to prayer. Mary supports this in her devout life of prayer and meditation through the rosary. Everytime you see Mary she is with a rosary or represented on the beads. That is why Carmel is Mary’s. It is a special calling to prayer.
