Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Carmelites consider the Blessed Virgin Mary to be a perfect model of the interior life of prayer and contemplation to which Carmelites aspire. She is seen as the one who points the way to her beloved Son, Christ Jesus.

Since the 15th century, popular devotions to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has centered on the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or the Brown Scapular. Traditionally, Mary is said to have given the Scapular to an early Carmelite, Simon Stock, on July 16, 1251. It is said this was in response to his prayers asking for the Virgin’s favor for his Order. Tradition says that when given the Scapular, she also gave a promise that those who wore it would be spared the fires of hell.

Devotion to the Brown Scapular is not confined to the Carmelites. When Pope John Paul II addressed the Carmelite family in 2001; on the 750th anniversary of Simon’s vision, he said “Over time this rich Marian heritage of Carmel has become; through the spread of the Holy Scapular devotion, a treasure for the whole of the Church.”

Carmelites can trace their order back to before Christianity existed. The hermits who lived in Mount Carmel, followers of the prophet Elijah, waited for the promised Virgin who would become the mother of the Messiah. It can be said that Elijah’s followers were the first to observe a devotion to Mary.

The first established Christian Faith was Catholic. With its early roots in Judaism, much of that same rich history and tradition can be found within the Catholic Faith. Advent, Ember Days, Pentecost all stem from Jewish observances. Our faith is a beautiful tapestry of Old Testament, New Testament and oral traditions handed down since the beginning of time.

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In the secular world, today is the 3rd Sunday in July. And that means today is National Ice Cream Day. One of our favorite treats has to be deep fried ice cream. While this isn’t deep fried, and the ice cream isn’t the typical frozen treat you’ll find in the grocery store, it does the trick. Hope you enjoy!

Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Fried Coating
8 tablespoons Butter, cubed
2 cups Cornflakes, crushed
1-3/4 teaspoon ground Mexican Cinnamon
3 tablespoons Sugar

Cut butter into cubes, set aside. Place cornflakes in a gallon-size sealable bag. Roughly crush cornflakes with a rolling pin. Set aside. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan, set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add crushed cornflakes and cinnamon, fry, stirring frequently, until golden brown; about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat, stir in sugar. Let fried cornflakes cool completely.

Creamy Ice Cream
1-3/4 cups Heavy Cream
1/4 cup Evaporated Milk
Pinch Salt
1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 teaspoons Vanilla

In a large bowl, bean cream, evaporated milk and salt until mixture begins to thicken. Gradually bean in condensed milk in a slow, steady stream. Add vanilla, continue to beat until thickened. Set aside

To Assemble: Sprinkle half of the cooled cornflakes into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Pour the ice cream mixture over the crust; sprinkle with remaining cornflakes. Cover and immediately place in the freezer overnight.

Finishing Touches
Clover Honey as desired
Whipped Cream (from a can) as desired
Maraschino Cherries as desired

When ready to serve, cut Fried Ice Cream into squares. Drizzle with honey, garnish with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Serve and enjoy.

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Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
For I am coming to dwell in your midst, says the Lord
Zechariah 2:14