History of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Statue

History of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Statue

We collected money from the members every month specifically to buy a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel during our pilgrimage to Spain (Nov 2005). We kept our eyes open the whole trip and finally found a beautiful hand-carved statue in Madrid, our last stop.

We collected money from the members every month specifically to buy a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel during our pilgrimage to Spain (Nov 2005). We kept our eyes open the whole trip and finally found a beautiful hand-carved statue in Madrid, our last stop.

The people at the hotel directed us downtown, where the best church supply stores were. They said to check especially with Belloso religious goods. Lansing, Dora, Birdie, Dave, Lois and Claire set out for the store in taxis and were dropped off close by. Even though we had the address, we had quite a time finding it. We walked up and down the block twice, then around the block, stopping at another church supply store for directions. The store we wanted was around the block, we had passed it on the wrong side of the street. What a fascinating place it was, very narrow and two stories tall, and full of beautiful hand-carved statues in all different sizes.

We knew she was the right one as soon as we saw her. She had such a lovely face that we just fell in love with her. We were a bit short and two of us split the difference. (The group collected more during the coming year and paid them back.) The transaction took quite a while. Between figuring out the final price, and trying to pay with cash and two credit cards, it didn’t seem like we would ever finish. Meanwhile, Lansing walked back to the other shop and bought his own smaller statue. He was back in plenty of time.

The shopkeeper wrapped the statue in bubble wrap, plastic wrap and lots and lots of tape, making a large handle to carry the package by. Claire wanted to carry it and the rest of the group very kindly let her. She took it through the airport in Madrid (allowing Fr. Michael to carry it part of the way, thinking maybe it would be selfish not let him), held it on the plane, got it through customs, the next flight to Austin and then the bus ride home. Thank goodness for that handle!

We have the statue at our monthly meetings. Fr. Louis lets us set her up in the church on our special feast days and celebrations. She’s such a nice addition to our group.