The Carmelite Province of St. Elias will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this year with a common project. The goal is to collect food for "families suffering from hunger," said the prior provincial, Fr. Adailson Quintino dos Santos.

With the motto “Carmelite Feast of Solidarity: Nourishing Hope", various projects of solidarity will be carried out during the novena and solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in all the parishes, communities, and sanctuaries where the province serves.

The Province of St. Elias (Rio) comprises the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Tocantins, Rio Grande do Sul, and the Federal District in Brazil.

The initiative is inspired by Pope Francis' call on the Fifth World Day of the Poor, citing the words of Jesus: “The poor you will always have with you” (Mk 14: 7).

"Once again we will celebrate the feast of the Carmelites in the painful context of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a compassionate heart for our people caught in a difficult reality in 2021 and inspired by the ‘Christ’s love that compels us' (2 Cor 5: 14), we will place at the feet of our Mother and Sister, in addition to flowers, the generous offering of non-perishable food," said the prior provincial.

A novena will be celebrated in all the communities from July 7 to 15. On the day dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, Masses will be celebrated at various times. The province encourages all those who will participate to donate a kilo of non-perishable food to be distributed through the Carmelite social projects.

For more information about the celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the province’s Project of Solidarity, and the communities of the province, visit: www.carmelitas.org.br