Posted on 07/16/2003 7:22:38 PM PDT by Pyro7480
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:
1. Daily saying five decades of the Rosary.
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.)
4. Offering of the sacrifices of daily life for the conversion of sinners.
5. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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:
"Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire."
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.
Three things are necessary:
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.
2. The Scapular must be worn with devotion.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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
Can you understand that to protestants this sounds like Mary is the door not Christ.
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