July 20 is the feast day of the prophet Elijah, a Carmelite feast day.
A short description of the Carmelite view of "our Father Elijah" appears in Terrye Newkirk, OCDS's article "The Mantle of Elijah: The Martyrs of Compiègne as Prophets of the Modern Age", which can be read online at the webpage of ICS Publications' archives; The main article from the pamphlet by the same name, copyright 1995 by ICS Publications:
"The double dimension, mystical and prophetic" is the essence of the Carmelite charism: according to ancient tradition, the
order traces its origins to a community of hermits gathered near the fount of Elijah on the slopes of Mount Carmel, forever linked
in Scripture with the memory of the great prophet. It was only
natural, then, that from the beginning Carmelites should see themselves as the spiritual heirs of Elijah, living in his power
and spirit; the feastday of Saint Elijah is still celebrated with solemnity in Carmelite monasteries throughout the world. It is certain that since Elijah, carried off like a flaming whirlwind
in a chariot with fiery horses, a prophetic spirit has not ceased to breathe on the family of Carmel."
The Scripture reference is II Kings 2:1-14:
"Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.' But Elisha said, 'As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.' So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, 'Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?' And he said, 'Yes, I know it; hold your peace.'
"Then Elijah said to him, 'Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Jordan.' But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.' So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
"When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.' And Elisha said, "I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.' And he said, 'You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.' And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and cried, 'My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!' And he saw him no more.
"Then he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces. And he took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, 'Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?' And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other; and Elisha went over."
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