Flos Carmeli

Flos Carmeli (Latin, "Flower of Carmel") is a Marian Catholic hymn and prayer honouring Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

In the Carmelite Rite of the Mass, this hymn was the sequence for the Feast of Saint Simon Stock (c. 1165 - 1265), and since 1663, for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 16 July throughout the Latin liturgical rites. Said to have been written by Saint Simon Stock himself, the prayer is taken from the first two stanzas of the hymn. Its name comes from its incipit.

Text

Various translations and musical settings exist besides the Gregorian chant one. Below is one version distinguished by "Tall vine blossom laden" in the second line.

Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera, splendor cæli, virgo puerpera singularis. Mater mitis sed viri nescia Carmelitis da privilegia Stella Maris. Radix Jesse germinans flosculum nos ad esse tecum in sæculum patiaris. Inter spinas quæ crescis lilium serva puras mentes fragilium tutelaris. Armatura fortis pugnantium furunt bella tende præsidium scapularis. Per incerta prudens consilium per adversa iuge solatium largiaris. Mater dulcis Carmeli domina, plebem tuam reple lætitia qua bearis. Paradisi clavis et ianua, fac nos duci quo, Mater, gloria coronaris. Amen. (Alleluia.)

Flower of Carmel, Tall vine blossom laden; Splendour of heaven, Childbearing yet maiden. None equals thee. Mother so tender, Who no man didst know, On Carmel's children Thy favours bestow. Star of the Sea. Strong stem of Jesse, Who bore one bright flower, Be ever near us And guard us each hour, who serve thee here. Purest of lilies, That flowers among thorns, Bring help to the true heart That in weakness turns and trusts in thee. Strongest of armour, We trust in thy might: Under thy mantle, Hard press'd in the fight, we call to thee. Our way uncertain, Surrounded by foes, Unfailing counsel You give to those who turn to thee. O gentle Mother Who in Carmel reigns, Share with your servants That gladness you gained and now enjoy. Hail, Gate of Heaven, With glory now crowned, Bring us to safety Where thy Son is found, true joy to see. Amen. (Alleluia.)

References

• Carmelite website [1]
• Latin prayers [2]