The Brown Scapular (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

The Brown Scapular
by Rt. Rev. Charles A. Klauder.
Copyright 1991 Marians of the Immaculate Conception.

Almost everyone knows of our Blessed Mother's apparition at Fatima in 1917, and almost every Catholic knows some of the requests she made for all of us to put into practice in our daily lives. Now, the sad part is that most Catholics have not put into practice these important requests:

2. Wearing of the Brown Scapular, the Sign of Consecration to Mary's Immaculate Heart.

3. Holy Communions of Reparation on the First Saturdays, meditating for at least fifteen minutes on the mysteries of the rosary. (The time might well be spent before the Blessed Sacrament as part of the reparation Our Lady requested.)

It is really a shame, this terrible neglect on the part of so many Catholics. What a great and sad disappointment this must be to Our Blessed Lady, the Mother of God and our own mother.

Let us take, for a short consideration, the wearing of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - such a simple request made by the Holy Mother of God for us to wear a tiny piece of brown cloth as an act and proof of devotion to her - and yet the request is not heeded and put into use by very many. If one is not willing to carry a small piece of cloth, how can it be expected that greater things will be done? Therefore, start with wearing the Scapular and Mary will see to it that you begin to do the other things requested by her.

The Saintly Pius X, when giving the privilege of wearing the Scapular Medal, plainly stated, "We would prefer that all would wear the cloth scapular, such as those in the service of their country, those in boiler rooms or similar industries and natives in tropical countries. In spite of St. Pius' request, almost everyone laid aside the cloth Scapular and carried the Medal.

Benedict XV, the Saint's successor, on July 8, 1916, placed an indulgence on the cloth Scapular when it is kissed with devotion, and he plainly stated this indulgence does not apply to the Medal.

About one year later at Fatima in 1917, our Blessed Lady appeared to Lucy and the other two children, Francesco and Jacinta. She was clothed in the Brown Garb of Carmel. Holding in her hand the Brown Scapular, she reminded us all to wear it and enjoy her extraordinary Promise:

Very few wear the Scapular. You may prove it to yourself by asking ten people this question, "Do you wear the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel?" and you will be surprised to find perhaps none will answer yes!

What a deplorable shame that our Blessed Mother's request is so totally ignored by so many and the treasure of the indulgence is lost; the promise of eternal life is not appreciated.

Although we all know that the whole world is in an unsettled condition, including our beloved America, yet Mary's requests are fulfilled by only a few. Why do we always wait until something terrible happens before we hurry to Mary? Why?

Now perhaps the most important point in the whole message of Fatima is precisely this making us aware of the seriousness of life and the urgent need there is for solid thinking and praying. "The whole land," wrote the prophet Jeremiah of Old, "is made desolate, but no man lays it to heart" (Jer 12:11). The same is true today; the whole world has come to such a sorry pass and lives in dread of a third world upheaval because there are so few that really "think in their hearts!" It was the keensighted Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII who assured us of this.

A large number of Scapular orders come from children asking for one or two Scapulars.

Where are the adults who could assist by helping to distribute many more Scapulars?

The Scapular is Mary's Mantle, thrown over our shoulders with a promise of eternal salvation and an indulgence for all who kiss it with devotion. After the Rosary, the Scapular is the most highly indulgenced sacramental in the Church.

1. One must be enrolled only once. This is usually done at First Holy Communion but can be done at any time by the priest. No further blessing is required for a new cloth Scapular.

3. The Scapular must be worn over the shoulders so that the one piece falls in front, the other in the back, although it is not necessary that the cloth be worn next to the skin.

Such a simple thing to do - such a wonderful reward - the wearing of a tiny piece of cloth. The Blessed Mother's Promise of Eternal Salvation!

I thought this was a fitting thing to post on this feast day. I know both of these are private revelation, and not necessary for salvation, but they are such wonderful aids to the way of holiness. There are not "pagan" rituals. They are not good luck charms. They are exterior signs of our consecration to Jesus through the Most Immaculate Heart of Mary. Why miss this great opportunity? If you aren't enrolled already or if you don't remember if you are, get a Brown Scapular (you can get one for free by writing EWTN Viewer Response, 5817 Old Leeds Rd., Irondale, AL 35210. Here are some related prayers for the Brown Scapular:

Morning Offering

O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Brown Scapular *)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 to 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!

PROCEDURE FOR THE BLESSING AND INVESTITURE THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL

(Latin)

Priest - Ostende nobis, domine misericordiam tuam.
Respondent - Et salutare tuum da nobis.
P - Domine, exaudi orationem meum.
R - Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
P - Dominus vobiscum.
R - Et cum spiritu tuo.
P - Oremus. Domine Jesu Christe, humani generis Salvator, hunc habitum, quem propter tuum tuaeque Genitricis Virginis Mariae de Monte Carmelo, Amorem servus tuus devote est delaturus, dextera tua sanctifica, tu eadem Genitrice tua intercedente, ab hoste maligno defensus in tua gratia usque ad mortem perseveret: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

THE PRIEST BLESSES THE SCAPULAR AND INVESTS PERSONS SAYING:

P - Accipite hunc, habitum benedictum precantes sanctissima Virginem, ut ejus meritis illum perferatis sine macula, et vos ab omni adversitate defendat, atque advitam perducat aeternam. Amen.

AFTER INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS:

P - Ego, ex potestate mihi concessa, recipio vos ad participationem, omnium bonorum spiritualium, qua, cooperante misericordia Jesu Christi, a Religiosa de Monte Carmelo peraguntur. In Nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus Sancti. + Amen.

Benedicat + vos Conditor caeli at terrae, Deus omnipotens, qui vos cooptare dignatus est in Confraternitatem Beatae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo: quam exoramus, ut in hore obitus vestri conterat caput serpentis antiqui, atque palmam et coronam sempiternae hereditatis tandem consequamini Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R - Amen.

(English)

Priest - Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Respondent - And grant us Thy salvation.
P - Lord, hear my prayer.
R - And let my cry come unto Thee.
P - The Lord be with you.
R - And with your Spirit.
P - Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, sanctify by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our Lady of Mont Carmel, Thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

THE PRIEST BLESSES THE SCAPULAR AND INVESTS PERSONS SAYING:

P - Receive this blessed scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin that through Her merits, you may wear it without stain. May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.

AFTER INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS:

P - I, by the power vested in me, admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus Christ by the Religious Order of Mont Carmel.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

May God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth, bless you, He who has deigned to join you to the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin of Mont Carmel; we beseech Her to crush the head of the ancient serpent so that you may enter into possession of your eternal heritage through Christ our Lord. R - Amen.

THE ROSARY AND THE SCAPULAR ARE INSEPARABLE. PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY.

I thought you guys might enjoy this....

Pope Says Our Lady of Mount Carmel Is Source of Hope
Recalls a Church Feast Full of Memories of His Youth

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 16, 2003 (Zenit.org).- On a day the Church was celebrating the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, John Paul II presented Mary as a reason for hope and consolation.

After greeting the Carmelites who were among the 2,000 faithful gathered for today's general audience at the papal summer residence here, the Pope highlighted the meaning of the day, which for him brought back memories.

"Today is the liturgical memory of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel," he said in Polish at the end of the audience. "This memory is especially dear to all those who are devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel."

"Even I, from my youngest days, have worn around my neck the scapular of Our Lady and I take refuge with trust under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus," the Pope said.

He added: "I hope the scapular will be for everyone, especially the faithful who wear it, a help and defense in times of danger, a seal of peace and a sign of Mary's care."

The Carmel scapular wasn't the extent of Karol Wojtyla's connection with its spirituality. He gave serious thought to entering the Carmel, after reading the works of St. John of the Cross. The Spanish saint's mystical writings so moved the future Pope that he based his doctoral thesis in theology on them.

Simon Stock, general superior of the Carmelite Order, received the scapular in 1251, during an apparition of the Virgin, when she promised special assistance in life and in death to all those who wear it with devotion.

Commenting on the Holy Father's words, theologian and Mariologist Father Stefano De Fiores explained on Vatican Radio: "When we think of the Virgin of Carmel today, we think first of all of the contemplation so necessary for the world of today which is too absorbed in activity and subjected to stress and anxiety."

"At the same time, in Mary we also see beauty," said Father De Fiores, a Montfort Missionary. "This way of beauty today is particularly adapted to attract the hearts of men. According to Fyodor M. Dostoyevsky, beauty will save the world. However, not any beauty but redeemed beauty, as Pavel Evdokimov emphasizes."

With her beauty, Mary indicates to us "what we should be and, unfortunately, are not," the theologian added.

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