Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel represents Our Lady’s protection and Her care for us. She promised to Saint Simon Stock: “It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace. Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”
“One day through the Rosary and the Scapular I will save the World” the Blessed Virgin Mary told Saint Dominic. Our Lady of Fatima during the Miracle of the Sun on October 13, 1917, held out the Brown Scapular. She wants us all to wear it always and to pray at least five decades of the Most Holy Rosary each day.
Every Pope since the year 1280 A.D. has worn the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
LOVE THE SCAPULAR WEAR IT ALWAYS. VENERATE IT OFTEN
True devotion to Mary consists in three things: VENERATION, CONFIDENCE, LOVE. Without saying to Mary that we venerate her, love her, and trust in her protection, we tell her these things every moment of the day by simply wearing the Scapular.
THE SCAPULAR then is a PRAYER
Our Lord taught us to say the “Our Father.” Mary taught us the value of the Scapular. When we use it as a prayer, Our Lady draws us to the Sacred Heart of her Divine Son. It is well, therefore to HOLD THE SCAPULAR IN THE HAND while addressing Our Lady. A prayer uttered thus, while holding the mystical Scapular, is as perfect as a prayer can be. It is especially in TIME OF TEMPTATION that we need the powerful intercession of God’s Mother. The evil spirit is utterly powerless when a Scapular-wearer, besides his silent devotion, faces temptation calling upon Mary. “If thou had recommended thyself to me, thou wouldst not have run into such danger” was Our Lady’s gentle reproach to Blessed Alan de la Roche.
St. Alphonsus says: “Just as men take pride in having others wear their livery, so the most holy Mary is pleased when her servants wear her Scapular as a mark that they have dedicated themselves to her service, and are members of the Family of the Mother of God.”
Pope Benedict XV granted an indulgence of 500 days
EACH TIME the Scapular is kissed.
PROFESS YOUR DEVOTION
To be eligible for THE SCAPULAR PROMISE, one must be enrolled in the Family of Carmel. This is a simple ceremony which takes only a moment and can be done by any Carmelite or duly authorized priest.
SIGN OF DEVOTION
It is the wish of our Holy Father, the Pope, that the SCAPULAR MEDAL should not be worn in place of the CLOTH SCAPULAR without sufficient reason. Mary cannot be pleased with anyone who substitutes the medal out of vanity or fear to make open profession of faith in her. Such persons run the risk of not receiving the PROMISE. The medal is not noted for the miraculous preservations attributed to the BROWN CLOTH SCAPULAR. Also, the Scapular ought not to be tucked or pinned; it must be worn around the neck, so that one piece of cloth hangs in the front, one in the back.
MARY’S GIFT OF THE SCAPULAR IS FOR ALL HER CHILDREN
MARY’S MOTHERHOOD is not limited to Catholics; it is extended to ALL MEN. Many miracles of conversion have been wrought in favor of non-Catholics who have practiced the Scapular devotion.
THE MORNING OFFERING
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Scapular as a sign of your consecration; partial indulgence also), I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them in the interests of Thy most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
THE SABBATINE PRIVILEGE
The Sabbatine Privilege is a privilege or indulgence which consists in the early liberation of souls from Purgatory, all those who:
- Wear the Brown Scapular;
- Observe chastity according to their state in life; and
- Say the Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary every day.
