The Brown Scapular (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

Association of Marian Helpers (Marians of the Immaculate Conception) | 1991 | Rt. Rev. Charles A. Klauder

[Pyro7480]

I'm sorry to hear that you have left the Church. I pray that you will be lead home someday.

[Possenti]

My situation is exactly opposite of yours. I was raised Baptist. I wish I had a nickel for every time a preacher said, "the Bible is all you need."

Then the question is, "Which Bible?" The one translated directly from Latin, or the one with many of the books removed - or this one - or that one?

I will give credit to the protestant churches for building a good foundation for memorizing Bible verses, but who is the authority to interpret their meaning? I could hear a sermon on a certain chapter of Acts at the local Baptist Church, and then go two blocks down to the Lutherans and hear a totaly different take on the same scripture. Multiply this by all of the different denominations and you have sola scripture chaos. The Bible also says that Our Lord is not a God of confusion - is this what He intended? The Holy Catholic Church that He established is the only Authority.

As for extra-scriptural practices, the protestants have plenty of them, although they would deny it. The latest "rapture" craze is a good example. I read many books about it and used to believe in it, but gradually I began to see the effect on congregations. Their belief in the rapture was so strong that many were paralyzed into inaction. The attitude was "What's the use in doing anything to make this a better world? The Lord's coming to take us away before it gets much worse." The Baptists didn't believe in "works" for salvation anyway, so there weren't many fruits there to begin with. The extra-scriptural belief only compounded the problem.

If only faith (and not works) in Jesus alone can save, then if someone believes in Him, did they not perform a work? Our Lord also said that, "If you love me, you will do what I say" and that you would know his people by the "fruits they bear." Are not the "fruits" works? I just have a hard time believing that a person can "believe", then treat his neighbors with contempt, lie, cheat, steal, etc. and then go straight to Heaven when he dies.

I'll continue my devotion to the Mother of God with my Brown Scapular, because that's one small thing that's expected of me as a Christian.

[Salvation]

You are always welcome to come back to the Catholic Church. The Eucharist is true for all.

[OLD REGGIE]

Then the question is, "Which Bible?" The one translated directly from Latin, or the one with many of the books removed - or this one - or that one?

This seems rather a strange question. Why don't you ask what languages the Latin Bible was translated from? Begin at the beginning.

[sspxsteph]

I have heard from a lot of people that Jim Caveziel is a Traditional Catholic, so I am sure he wears one.

Sadly a lot of people down the scapular in the church because they see no use in it. They figure everyone is going to heaven anyways.

[drstevej]

*** "Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire." ***

Statements like this are flabberghasting to this protestant.

***I'm gonna wave that scapular on judgement day and hold Mary to the promises she made. ***

Isn't faith in the death burial and ressurection of Jesus sufficient? What in the promises of Jesus are lacking?

If this is a valid promise, why does this not receive the same response of obedience that LDS have to wearing their temple garments?

Is holy tradition pick-and-choose?

-Pope Piel I (the pope who asks questions)

[sinkspur]

Please drop the BS. It is a false promise, a false gospel and a false doctrine. It is just as bad as anything done by the Mormons with their magic garments. It cannot save you, neither can the devotionals associated with the BS save you.

Ain't gonna do it. If I'm naive in putting my trust in Christ's Mother, then so be it.

Anyway, it sounds like you've fallen off the Catholic wagon, so why should I listen to you about how to drive it?

[drstevej]

This statement...

"Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."

doesn't sound like a private devotion by any stretch of the imagination. If it is true, it sure doesn't sound optional. If it is false, it is a horrible deception.

Explain how it is a private devotion. I understand how the rosary is. This promise, however, is in another league.

[sinkspur]

Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."

It's a reminder, Steve, of Christ's promises to me if I'm faithful to Him. You know that Mary occupies a special place in Catholic devotion, and her promise implies that one is faithful to her Son.

When I see the Scapular, or touch it, or am just aware that I'm wearing it, I'm reminded of who I am, who I am supposed to be, and the gap between the two.

I'm encouraged to close the gap.

[Wrigley]

Pope Piel.

Eye opening thread. Its good to know Mary promises to save us too. Being RC means you always have a backup plan.

[RnMomof7]

Isnt this a superstition like a rabbit foot? Can a man live like hell, convert to Buddhism and still hold Mary to her promise to save them? Or does the judge of scripture have anything to say about it??

[drstevej]

***"Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."***

Sink: It's a reminder, Steve, of Christ's promises to me if I'm faithful to Him.

Hey, we protestants understand reminders (memorials), but either this sentence is inaccurate or the scapular is more than a reminder, it's a guarantee (promise).

My wedding ring is a reminder for me to be faithful to my wife, it doesn't make me married. I am just as married at this instant when I happen not to be wearing it.

[RnMomof7]

Eye opening thread. Its good to know Mary promises to save us too. Being RC means you always have a backup plan.

I was recently told that Mary sits at the right hand of Jesus. He distributes Justice and she distributes mercy

So in a way Mary is your saviour because mercy comes after judgment and she could override the Judgments of Christ

Does that remind you a bit of having to go through Joseph Smith to get to Christ?

I have a difficult time believing that Catholics rely on Mary for salvation but it sure seems directed that way

[Wrigley]

Sounds very similiar.

Back in Chicago I asked a co-worker who worn one of those necklaces what it was all about. He told me that if he were to die wearing it, he would go to heaven.

I thought that was pretty neat. He never went to church, drank excessivly every weekend, had at least 3 girlfriends he was sleeping with, but because he wore the necklace, he would go to heaven.

He made being RC such an easy thing.

[drstevej]

***"Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."***


Is this a true or false statement. If true, how is it optional?

***She will not let her children fall into the eternal fire, but rather protect them under her mantle, the brown scapular.***

Silly Protestant, I thought Jesus did this.

I am a child of God. Mary isn't God. I am not Mary's child.

[drstevej]

***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.***

Another statement that befuddles me.

[RnMomof7]

Mary has promised that she will obtain the graces and protections necessary for those who show their devotion to her by wearing the scapular. She will not let her children fall into the eternal fire, but rather protect them under her mantle, the brown scapular. By wearing the scapular, you visibly show that you desire to live a holy life, and you trust that God, through the intercession of Mary, will give you the graces you need to reach heaven.

Can you understand that to protestants this sounds like Mary is the door not Christ.