Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Day

Brief history of the event - copied from internet....The Feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel the patroness of our school is celebrated annually on July 16th. On this day we recall Mary’s motherly patronage, guidance and her loving care and protection.

This day is also celebrated as Foundation day of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation, which was founded by Venerable Mother Veronica, Foundress of the Apostolic Carmel in 1868 at Bayonne, France. Rooted in the contemplative spirit of Carmel, and nourished by its life of prayer and missionary zeal, the Apostolic Carmel expresses the vitality of the Church through its fruitfulness in the active apostolate of education and other works of mercy.

So today was a Saturday and students come to school one Saturday a month for either classes or special events such as today. We walked into the school courtyard after an interesting yellow taxi ride. Our driver did not quite know where the school was and started taking us on a bit of a tour of the city until we had to redirect him with our google maps on our phones. Nice gentleman but there was a bit of a language barrier! The girls were in their "frocks" - clothes of their chosing for the special day. A variety of clothes from saris to tunic type clothes to jeans. Of course all appropriate clothing. They were - again - so excited to speak and talk with us and show us their clothes. They are so polite and always asking how our morning was and various other questions. They all looked so beautiful and grown up! Today was were I saw a more similarities between these students and American students. There was more side talking during the performance (as most kids would do because they are excited) and the main thing was I saw a bag of chips traveling in the crowd - if they had been hot Cheetos- I would have felt right at home! The presentation was amazing! Comedy, skits, singing and traditional dances from different parts of India (my favorite). It was great! Afterwards, they had an hour to go back to their classes and have food. The students, as a class, were able to pick the food they wanted for lunch. There was a lot of activity as delivery men brought food and students were carrying up to class. They had also decorated their classes for the day. Our class - Rita's- chose Dominos personal pan pizza and coke. I also saw rice and various other traditional dishes. Lots of excitement and noise as the girls talked, did a runway fashion show and filled the halls. Some students came into Rita's class to talk to us and I ventured out on the second floor to visit classes and was bombarded with questions about my favorite singing group. Seems Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and One Direction are big hits with the girls. They were so happy that I came into their class - I wish the same reaction came from my own students :) The students went home at 12:30 and school shut down for the day.

We went shopping again. We went to a boutique and saw some designs by one of the teachers at the school who designs clothing in her free time. Beautiful clothes and of course we all bought one of her pieces. (Check out Indikra on facebook, she has her own page. Her name is Ms. Santa) We then went to a mall and went to a store called Spencers that has clothes, food, toiletries - kind of like a super Walmart but a million times better. Interestingly enough - what do girls in India do when they have free time? Go to the mall just like American kids. We ran into a few students from class 11 - the ones that planned the wonderful performance today. Got back to hotel early for rest and relaxation - the next few days will be jammed packed!