Flos Carmeli, (“Flower of Carmel”) is both a hymn and a prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, said to have been composed by St Simon Stock (c. 1165 – 1265). The Carmelite Order traces back its origins to a group of hermits who lived on Mt Carmel in the Holy Land in the twelfth century. This prayer can be found in the Marian Prayer Book.

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.)

Latin:

Flos Carmeli,
vitis florigera,
splendor cæli,
virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis sed viri nescia
Carmelitis esto propitia
stella maris.
Radix Iesse 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.)