Brown Scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel
– promise of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251
In 1251, in the town of Aylesford in England, Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite. She handed him a brown woolen scapular saying: “This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.” Over centuries, the Church granted the same privilege to wear the scapular to all the laity.
The scapular is a sign of our love, trust, and veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Scapular is considered a silent prayer.
Everyone wishing to partake in the scapular promise must be enrolled in the Brown Scapular Confraternity. This ceremony can be performed by any priest (with prayers as below). The members of the Confraternity share spiritual benefits of the Carmelite Order. The scapular must be 100% wool, with no plastic casing, and should not be pinned or attached to clothing. It is worn over the head, under one’s clothes; with one square of the scapular hanging on the chest and the other on the back. Pictures on the scapular are not necessary.
The Sabbatine Privilege of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel has promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell. She further promised to shorten their time in purgatory if they should need to be cleansed there. This promise has been given to Pope John XXII in an apparition. Mary said: “I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in purgatory I shall free so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting.”
The following conditions need to be fulfilled:
1. Wear the Brown Scapular continuously
2. Observe chastity according to one’s state in life (married/single)
3. Recite daily the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin OR Observe the fasts of the Church together with abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays OR With permission of a priest, say five decades of Our Lady’s Most Holy Rosary OR With permission of a priest, substitute some other good work.
Pope Benedict XV granted 500 days indulgence for devoutly kissing the scapular.
The Morning Offering to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss the scapular as a sign of your consecration), 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!
The Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable! Pray the Rosary daily!
Ceremony of enrollment into the Brown Scapular Confraternity
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, Savior of the human race, sanctify + by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our Lady of Mount 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 livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
THE PRIEST SPRINKLES WITH HOLY WATER THE SCAPULAR AND THE PERSON(S) BEING ENROLLED. HE THEN INVESTS HIM (THEM), 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 Mount 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 Mount 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 PRIEST THEN SPRINKLES AGAIN WITH HOLY WATER THE PERSON(S) ENROLLED.