Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
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The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (also known as the Brown Scapular), is by far the best known, most celebrated, and most widespread of the small scapulars. It is spoken of as "the Scapular", and the "feast of the Scapular" is that of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16. It is probably the oldest scapular and served as the prototype of the others. Any priest may invest a person with the brown scapular, while other scapulars must frequently be conferred by an ordained representative of an appropriate religious order.[citation needed]
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[edit] Origins
According to the legend associated with this Scapular:
The Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock at Cambridge, England, on Sunday, 16 July, 1251. In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, she appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said: "Take, beloved son this scapular of thy order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant". St. Simon Stock was given certain supernatural assurances:
- The special protection of the Blessed Virgin for his whole order and for all those wearing the Carmelite habit.
- Special aid, especially in the hour of death, to those wearing the habit in her honour throughout life, so that they should be preserved from hell. Indirectly, this promise is extended to all who from devotion to the Mother of God should wear her habit or badge and be thus as if it were affiliated to the Carmelite Order.
The scapular was very widespread in European countries at the end of the sixteenth century, as is evident from "La cronica Carmelitana" of the Carmelite Joseph Falcone[1]. In 1600, it appeared at Palermo the "Giardino Carmelitano" of the Carmelite Egidio Leoindelicato da Sciacca (the approval is dated 1592). Towards the end, the author gives the formulas of benediction for the Fratelli and Sorelle della Compagnia della Madonna del Carmine (who receive the complete habit of the order) and the formula for the blessing of the scapular for the Devoti della Compagnia Carmelitana.[2] This is the earliest apparent form of benediction for the small scapular. It is also noteworthy that the formula for the sisters contains no reference to the scapular, while in that for the brothers there is a special blessing for the scapular.
In recent times, the Brown Scapular is not worn by many Catholics, due to their ignorance of it even existing. But most Catholics who know of it are resolute in wearing it out of devotion to the Virgin Mary.
[edit] Privileges Obtained by Wearing the Scapular
The first privilege the Virgin Mary is believed to grant to those wearing her Brown Scapular is eternal salvation, if they wear it as they die. Such is the meaning and importance of the first privilege of the Carmelite Scapular, which is wont to be expressed in the words: "whoever dies in this garment, will be preserved from hell". However, this is usually understood that you cannot commit every possible sin and go to Heaven anyway without repentance and penance, which would be contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church. Devout Catholics usually argue that Mary's intercession either grants conversion, final perseverance, and last rites to the wearer, or that he or she will get rid of the scapular before dying. Some even say that in such cases of unrepentant sinners the scapular will rip and fall off the wearer. This was taught by Saint Claude de la Colombière, there are also contemporary stories of this happening. The second privilege of the scapular, otherwise known as the Sabbatine privilege, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, as expressed by the General Inquisition under Pope Paul V means that Mary's motherly assistance for her servants in the Scapular Confraternity will continue after death, and will find effect especially on Saturday (the day consecrated to her honour), provided that the members fulfill faithfully the difficult conditions necessary for obtaining this privilege.
The authentic list of indulgences, privileges, and indults of the Scapular Confraternity of Mount Carmel was last approved on July 4, 1908, by the Congregation of Indulgences.
[edit] Appearance
The scapular MUST CONSIST of two segments of brown 100% wool cloth with the one segment hanging on the wearers chest, and the other hanging on their back. These segments are joined by two straps which overlap each shoulder, hence the word "scapular". Images sewn onto the Brown Scapular are superfluous.
Due to the ease of deterioration of wool in hotter and tropical climates, since 1910 those properly invested into a confraternity may wear a properly blessed scapular medal(s) with the depiction of Jesus with his Sacred Heart on one side and Mary on the obverse. (Acta Apost. Sedis, III, 22 sq.)
[edit] External links
- The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (includes ceremony for blessing and investiture)
- The Brown Scapular
