The Carmelite monks were first situated on Mount Carmel in Palestine. When they left Palestine to settle in Europe, they brought with them a painting of the Madonna and Child called Madonna del Carmine. (It has a similar appearance to the well-known Mother of Perpetual Help.)

In the mid-thirteenth century, the Madonna del Carmine reached Naples, where it has remained ever since.

During the jubilee year of 1500, the people of Naples decided to go on pilgrimage to Rome. Because of the joyful nature of their journey, they wanted to make it a little bit like a procession. So they picked out a large Crucifix to carry with them. Wanting to have a picture of Mary as well, they searched about for the right one. Then, someone had the idea to use the Madonna del Carmine - which until then had been in relative neglect - kept in a rarely visited side chapel. It seemed a fine enough choice and the pilgrims agreed to bring it along.

It was on April 7th when the pilgrims set out, intoning prayers, chanting psalms, and singing hymns as they went. They had not traveled far when they were unexpectedly joined by a poor man who was deformed. This man’s name was Thomas Saccone. He had heard the monks’ voices, and crawled to the side of the road to get closer to the approaching procession. As the image of Our Lady and the Christ Child passed him, he felt inspired to call out to Her for mercy.

No sooner did he pray thus, than Thomas felt new strength surge through his limbs. He was cured! He leapt to his feet, thanking God and Our Blessed Mother. The former cripple gratefully joined in the procession.

News of this miracle spread quickly, even as the procession was still underway. Sick people were placed along the roads where the holy image was to be carried. Within a week, reports of numerous miracles had reached Rome. After five days of processing to the many various churches in the city, the Madonna del Carmine was brought back to Naples. Once again, the path of the procession was lined with sick people, whose hearts were filled with prayers for the gift of healing from our Blessed Mother.

It was not long before reports of so many miraculous happenings reached the ears of the King of Naples - Frederic II. The king was skeptical of such reports. He wanted to know for himself whether it was pious exaggeration that produced all these so-called miracles.

So the king ordered that, on June 24th, 1500, all the sick and infirm were to be gathered together before the blessed image. Each one of them was to bring forth a document, legally witnessed. The documents all gave a precise description of the malady of their respective sick persons, and stated their names, ages, and addresses.

On June 24th, all the documents, having been properly filled out, were given to the royal secretaries. Then, the poor sickly people of Naples gathered in the church where the portrait of Our Lady was situated above the high altar. The royal family and important officials of the town were also there to witness the result.

They attended High Mass, and the royal choir sang special hymns for the occasion of the unveiling of the miraculous image. It was unveiled during the Gloria. In an instant, a ray of light fell upon the Virgin’s Face. This brilliant light was reflected upon the sick and infirm. They were all cured immediately. Despite the proud and disbelieving ‘test’ of the king, Our Lady had listened to the fervent prayers of Her needy children. Now, instead of discrediting Her Power, the king’s arrogance had in fact authenticated it in a most official manner. For, after the Mass, each person had their royal document verified - proving, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they were indeed cured of the illnesses so carefully recorded just hours before.

Since that memorable jubilee year, this image of Our Lady and the Christ Child has been treated with special honor. It is particularly honored in Naples on July 16th, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. To this day, all remember that it was the Carmelites who brought this beloved instrument of Mary’s mercy to that city.