Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Patroness of the People of the Sea

Every July 16, the Navy, the Merchant Marine, the fishing industry, and sports celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Patroness of the people of the sea. In the case of the Navy, various events are scheduled at all its bases and units. From the General Headquarters in Madrid and the arsenals, through the naval commands distributed throughout the Spanish geography, to the ships that are currently docked and sailing, this traditional feast is celebrated.

The Marian devotion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been officially linked to the Navy since April 19, 1901, when the regent queen, María Cristina of Habsburg, and the Minister of the Navy, Cristóbal Colón de la Cerda, Duke of Veragua, endorsed with their signatures the Royal Order by which Our Lady of Mount Carmel was definitively proclaimed the Patroness of the Navy.

Although the text of the royal order stated that Our Lady of Mount Carmel was indeed the Patroness of all sailors, it is well known that prior to this, the people of the sea, sailors, fishermen, and mariners did not venerate a single patronal invocation, but rather multiplied in a plurality of titles and chose as their advocate for their voyages the image most venerated in their place of origin.

One of the most popularly rooted invocations was that of Our Lady of the Rosary. Among them, the ones most linked to the Navy would be the image donated by the Venetians, which Juan of Austria carried on his royal galley in the Battle of Lepanto, and “the Galeona,” which aboard the flagship made the Indies Run.

From the same period, there are important testimonies that confirm the antiquity of the devotion of sailors to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel over the Navy has its origins in the Isle of León, in the second half of the 18th century, when this devotion, which was already the most popular in the city, was given almost official status.

As it is a religious celebration, the acts in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel begin with the Eucharist in the different military parishes and in the Pantheon of Illustrious Mariners of the Navy, located in the city of San Fernando, within the premises of the Non-Commissioned Officers' School. The events will continue with a floral offering in memory of those who gave their lives for Spain; although always present, on this day they are remembered in a special way, paying them the deserved honors, as is tradition. Special recognition is also given to the sailors who have recently transitioned to reserve status after fulfilling their service times and other legally established requirements.

On the ships that are at sea, these acts are celebrated in a very significant way, as the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is closely linked to the condition of being a sailor. Numerous units of the Navy will celebrate this day sailing, on missions abroad, or deployed away from their base. History and tradition root the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in all sailors.

In the Merchant Marine, it is traditional to decorate the ships when they are in port and enjoy a special meal on board to celebrate the maritime feast. It is also a deeply rooted tradition to hold a maritime procession, which takes place in many localities across the country. Among them, the one for Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife stands out for its roots since 1919, which will set sail this afternoon from the parish of Concepción and embark in the marquee to make a tour of the Anaga dock accompanied by a multitude of sports boats and hundreds of faithful from the shore.

Photo: Spanish Navy