The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Saturday.

Mount Carmel is in northern Israel near the Fountain of Elijah.

“It was here that the prophet Elijah challenged the priests of Baal and defended the power of the one true God,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

A group of hermits was said to have lived on Mount Caramel starting in the 12th century. Franciscan Media reported that these hermits became known as the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the 13th century. 

Legend tells it that Mary appeared before St. Simon Stock, the Carmelite leader, and gave him a scapular, Franciscan Media reported. Scapulars symbolize Mary's protection and encourage the wearer to devote himself to her. Scapulars also serve as a reminder of our call to prayer and penance, which Mary demonstrated in her life. 

The Brothers built a chapel to honor Mary and celebrated a special Mass for her. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as related to Mary, the diocese said in its Facebook post.

“Many great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception,” it said. “Our Lady of Mount Carmel, please pray for us!”

Mary is honored many times throughout the year. The Marians list some of the important feast days: the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Jan. 1; the Annunciation on March 25; the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13; the Visitation on May 31; Mary's Assumption into Heaven on Aug. 15; and the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. 

Mary holds a unique position in the Catholic Church’s teachings, because as a human, she is among those in need of God's saving. But as the Mother of God, she has received the highest level of God's grace, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reported. Mary cooperated with God's plan to be the mother of Jesus, even though it put her in danger of being stoned, and that cooperation places her in a crucial role in salvation. Catholics view Mary as a role model of discipleship, and many ask for her intercession in their prayers.