Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Aylesford

Marian Advocation of Aylesford (Kent) (England)

El priorato carmelita de Aylesford, in Kent County, England, is one of the most important historical places for the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was originally a house of the Order of Carmen founded in the Middle Ages; after the suppression of the monasteries in the times of Henry VIII, the convent passed into private hands and lost religious life. In the 20th century the place was acquired by the Order and restored as Carmelite convent and Marian sanctuary, known today as The Friars, Aylesford; functions as a religious house, center of spirituality and place of Marian and Carmelite pilgrimage, with special devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmelo.

Main data

Origin and history

El priorato carmelita de Aylesford, in Kent County, England, is one of the most important historical places for the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was originally a house of the Order of Carmen founded in the Middle Ages; after the suppression of the monasteries in the times of Henry VIII, the convent passed into private hands and lost religious life. In the 20th century the place was acquired by the Order and restored as Carmelite convent and Marian sanctuary, known today as The Friars, Aylesford; functions as a religious house, center of spirituality and place of Marian and Carmelite pilgrimage, with special devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmelo.

According to the Carmelite tradition, Aylesford is closely linked to san Simón Stock, English Carmelite to whom the famous vision of the Virgin of Carmen by giving him the scapular 1251. This tradition places mystical experience in English territory, and often relates to the Aylesford community; however, historical studies point out that no contemporary documentation confirming the precise location and the details of the vision, which appear in rather later sources. It is therefore a devotional tradition, deeply rooted in the spirituality of Carmen, but not verifiable in all its details as a historical fact.

Lo Historically documented is the ancient presence of the Carmelites in England, the figure of St. Simon Stock as one of its first general superiors, and the progressive development of devotion to scapulario del Carmen as a sign of Marian protection and belonging to the Order. Aylesford, after its recovery in the 20th century, has become a sanctuary where this tradition is celebrated and disseminated, in continuity with the English Carmelite history and the universal celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmelo July 16.

The image and the sanctuary

In Aylesford venerates the Virgin under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmelo in a set of devotional and artistic spaces of Carmelite spirituality. The main iconography usually presents a Mary with the Child Jesus, both carrying the scapular of Carmen, stressing his spiritual motherhood and his role of Mother and Queen of Carmelites. There is not a single "main" historical image of this advocation (for example, medieval size of continuous veneration) in the usually accessible sources, but rather a set of modern and contemporary representations (sculptures and reliefs in stone or related materials), integrated into the different liturgical and processing spaces of the priory. When the scapular does not appear, they are usually also images of the Virgin and the Child linked to the Carmel by its context and title.

The sanctuary is located in the priorato carmelita de Aylesford, officially known as The Friars, Aylesford – Carmelite Priory. This is a Medieval convent restored and adapted as a retreat house, pilgrimage center and Marian and Carmelitan sanctuary. The enclosure includes church, chapels, cloisters, outdoor spaces for liturgical celebrations and reception areas for pilgrims. It is not known that the priory church has received the title of minor basilicaor that the whole has been erected as National sanctuary; if trata of a sanctuary de ámbito mainly diocesan and the Order of Carmenwith broad recognition in English Catholic life for its relationship with the history of Carmel and devotion to the scapular.

Sponsorship and coronation

La advocación de Our Lady of Mount Carmelo is, in a broad sense, holder and patron of the Order of Carmen All over the world. In Aylesford, this advocation is closely linked to the Carmelite community that dwells the priory and to the faithful who come to it, but no consta there is a specific civil patronage (e.g. official patron of the municipality of Aylesford) recognized by public decree. In the ecclesial field, the Virgin of Carmen is naturally venerated as Mother and Queen of Carmelites and Marian main reference for the community and pilgrims.

In relation to the canonical coronation of the venerated image in Aylesford, does not contain a documented canonical coronation granted by the Holy See for a concrete image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in this sanctuary. When there are coronations of this nature they are usually recorded with an exact date, the name of the Pontiff and the pontifical delegate; in the absence of these data for Aylesford in a clear and verifiable manner, it must be concluded that there is no public record of such coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of the advocation is that of Our Lady of Mount Carmelo, celebrated by the whole Church 16 July. In Aylesford, this date is particularly solemn, given the link of the place to the English Carmelite tradition and to the memory of St. Simon Stock. Around that day they are usually organized special liturgical celebrations, pilgrimages and Marian actsin which the delivery and renewal of the scapular, the consecration to the Virgin of Carmen and the participation of the Carmelite family (religious, religious and lay) are highlighted.

Aylesford's priory works all year round as place of pilgrimage and retreat, welcoming both parish groups and individual movements, schools and pilgrims. The devotion is characterized by the love of the scapular, la silent and contemplative prayer in line with the Carmel tradition, the participation in the Eucharist and in Marian celebrations (processions, community prayers, consecration to the Virgin). Although recent official influx figures are not available, Aylesford is recognized as one of the main centres of Carmelite spirituality in the United Kingdom, with a stable presence of pilgrims, especially around the 16th of July and other Carmelite dates (such as the feast of saints of the Order).

Link to the Rosary

It does not know that the Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Aylesford has a specific and documented historical link with a apparition of the Rosary or with a particular form of this prayer other than Marian general devotion. The main relationship is that of the spirituality of Carmel: life of prayer, contemplation of Christ with Mary and confidence in her intercession, expressed in a privileged way in the sign of the scapular.

However, the Rosary It is a natural place in the life of the sanctuary and in devotion to the Virgin of Carmen. As in many other Marian shrines, the prayer of the Rosary - especially in processions, vigils and moments of worship - is aligned with Carmelite spirituality: to meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life from the hand of Mary It helps to live what the scapular means, that is, a entrusted belonging to the Mother of the Lord and a commitment to imitate his virtues. In Aylesford, those who approach Our Lady of Mount Carmel find in the Rosary a simple and deep way to to unite devotion to the scapular with the contemplation of the mysteries of Christin full harmony with the tradition of the Church and the praying history of Carmel.