Instituted among the Carmelites c.1880as a feast of thanksgiving in commemoration of favors received through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. It was assigned to July 16, the traditional date on which the Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Simon Stock and gave him the brown scapular (1251). Sixtus V approved the feast, 1587, and 1609 it became the patronal feast of the Carmelite Order. Pope Benedict XIII extended it to the entire Latin Church, 1126.