According to the Carmelite tradition, a group of pious men built a temple to the Virgin Mary on the summit of Mount Carmel, wanting in some way to imitate the life of the prophet Elijah, who was especially known for his fidelity to God.
The Solemnity of “Holy Mary, Mother of God” is the oldest that is known in the Western Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in number 509 says, “Mary is truly ‘Mother of God’ since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.”
This feast day celebrates the Annunciation of the Angel to Mary and the Incarnation. This feast takes place in a symbolic way 9 months before the celebration of Christmas.
