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On July 16, 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary handed Simon Stock Her garment that is to be worn devoutly over the shoulders. Pope John XXII (1244-1334) received a vision from the Blessed Virgin Mary handing the Pope the Sabbatine Privilege.
The Scapular (often known as the Brown Scapular) is a two-piece made of 100% woolen cloth worn out of devotion over the shoulders, under the ordinary garb, and connected by strings. The Scapular is closely tied to the Carmelite Order. Simon Stock received the Scapular from the Blessed Virgin Mary and certain promises are attached to those who wear the Scapular devoutly.
Prayer Card
The Brown Scapular, when received by the Carmelites, was originally a privilege for the Carmelite Order, however the privilege is extended to all. In addition, through the Papal Bull of Pope John XXII in the 14th Century, the Sabbatine Privilege contains certain promises when the devotee adheres to the conditions and wears the Scapular devoutly. The Scapular is a garment consisting of two pieces of cloth made of 100% wool. The Scapular is worn over the shoulders and hanging down in front and behind.
Where is Mount Carmel?
Mount Carmel is a range of fertile, forested hills about fifteen miles long on the western border of the land allotted to the tribe of Asher.
It extends from the Samaritan hill country west to the Mediterranean and south to the Mount Carmel headland. Mount Carmel, which is the entrance of the Jezreel Valley (Esdraelon), commands an excellent view of the shoreline and rises 556 feet above the harbor of modern Haifa.
The word Carmel pronounced kahr´muhl in Hebrew and means “garden,” or“orchard”.
Mount Carmel was the scene of some historical events as described in 3 Kings18 between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
For thousands of years, Mount Carmel has been revered as a sacred site by various religions. Egyptian records from as early as the 15th century BC mention Carmel as a holy mountain, and it was apparently regarded as such by the Assyrians and Phoenicians as well.
The Greek philosopher Pythagoras is said to have meditated on Mount Carmel, where there was apparently a temple to Zeus as early as the fourth century BC.
About 500AD a church was built there, and a monastery founded by Greek monks.
A Catholic order known as the Carmelites built a monastery on Mount Carmel in the 12th century.
Mount Carmel is featured in the Old Testament in the book of Kings. Elijah (or Elias) is taken into Heaven and leaves his mantle for Elisha (or Eliseus).
“And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold, a fiery chariot and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Eliseus saw him, and cried: My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the driver thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own garments, and rent them in two pieces”. (2Kings 2:11-12, Douay-Rheims Bible).
This clothing of Elijah left for Elias and the garment is divided into two pieces. This is a typology of the events of July 16, 1251 at Aylesford, England.
Note that a Typology is where a person or event in the Old Testament foreshadows a greater person or event in the New Testament. The word “typology” comes to us from St. Paul himself, in Romans 5:14, where he referred to Adam as a “type” of Christ.
What is the history of the Brown Scapular?
On July 16, 1251, in Aylesford, England, Our Lady appeared to the Carmelite monk, St. Simon Stock.
She offered him a brown scapular made of wool saying,
“This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that whosoever dies in this garment shall not suffer eternal fire.”
This privilege has been extended to all who wear devoutly the Brown Scapular.
Why wear the Brown Scapular?
In wearing the Scapular of Our Lady, we are showing Our Mother that we are Her children.
Our Lady’s promise is that by wearing the Brown Scapular, She will take the one who wears the Scapular devoutly, that She would give special protection, and She will see to it that you do not lose your soul.
Remember, She promises this, and She will do it.
She is the Queen of Heaven, and everything she asks of her Divine Son is granted. Reminder that the Scapular is not some ‘good luck charm’ that one wears and lives a life of grave sin, whilst Our Lady does makes these promised, however we must make an amendment of life or be willing to do so.
What is the ‘Sabbatine Privilege’ promulgated by Pope John XXII?
Our Lady made an additional promise to Pope John XXII (1322), which is called the Sabbatine Privilege.
Mary appeared to Pope John XXII and promised in favor of those who wear Her Scapular speedy release from Purgatory, particularly on Saturday, provided certain conditions are fulfilled.
The conditions are:
1. To wear the Scapular faithfully after a valid enrolment.
2. To observe chastity according to one’s state of life.
3. To recite daily the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin; OR
to observe the fasts of the Church while additionally abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays; OR, as is the common practice in our day, to have this third condition commutated to the daily recitation of five decades of the Most Holy Rosary (this commutation must be given by a priest — ordinarily it is done at the time of enrolment).
What is the enrolment in the Brown Scapular?
The wearing of the Brown Scapular requires a valid enrolment.
A Valid Enrolment in Scapular and How to wear the Scapular?
As per the first condition of the Sabbatine Privilege, one must be validly enrolled in the Brown Scapular.
In addition, the Scapular must be made of 100% wool without plastic casing and should not be pinned or affixed to clothing.
It is worn over the head, under one’s clothes, with one piece of wool hanging on the chest and the other on the back.
Images are allowed on the Scapular, but they are not necessary.
Once again, a reminder that the Brown Scapular is no lucky charm — we shall still be tempted when we wear it — but Our Lady has promised us the final victory over sin if we are faithful to it.
Note that any Priest with his full faculties can enrol you in the Brown Scapular. Also, that enrolment need only occur once. Should you damage or lose your Brown Scapular, you do not need to be re-enrolled or have the new Brown Scapular blessed. The blessing is imparted on the person.
Procedure for the Blessing and Investiture of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Priest – Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Respondent– And grant us Thy salvation.
Priest – Lord, hear my prayer.
Respondent – And let my cry come unto Thee.
Priest – The Lord be with you.
Respondent – And also with you.
Priest – 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 lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
THE PRIEST SPRINKLES HOLY WATER AND INVESTS PERSON(S) WHILE SAYING:
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 THE INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS:
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 Spirit. 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 my enter into possession of your eternal heritage, through Christ our Lord.
Respondent – Amen.
What are some prayers in devotion to the Brown Scapular?
The following prayers are recited in devotion to the Scapular of Our Lady.
Flos Carmeli Prayer
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine,
Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a Pure Virgin,
assist me in this necessity.
O Star of the sea, help and protect me!
Show me that Thou art my Mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
Mother and Beauty of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation!
Amen.
Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
(Commenced on July 7 and concludes July 16)
First Day
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity.
O Star of the sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother.
(pause and mention your petition)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Second Day
Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(pause and mention your petition)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Third Day
O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your faithful children. May we always wear it with honor by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours.
(pause and mention petitions)
Say: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fourth Day
When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as you children in joy, peace and love.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fifth Day
O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Sixth Day
With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defense against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Seventh Day
O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Eighth Day
You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Ninth Day
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your children. We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death. Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Savior, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls!
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
A Morning Offering
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (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!
Times of Temptation
Pray to Our Lady while holding the Scapular in the hand. A prayer offered while holding the Scapular shows the Virgin of the Scapular that we are relying on her. At the same time, it gives us confidence in the powerful intercession of the Mother of God. The evil spirit is utterly powerless when the wearer of a Scapular faces temptation, calling upon the Holy Virgin.
What some of the Popes have said on the Brown Scapular
Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903): “The Carmelite Scapular’s nobility of origin, its extraordinary spread among Christian peoples for many centuries, the spiritualizing effects produced by it and the outstanding miracles worked in virtue of it render the Scapular of Carmel commendable to a wonderful degree.”
Pope Pius XII (1876-1958): “May…all see in this keepsake of the Virgin herself a mirror of humility and purity; may they read in the very simplicity of the Garment a concise lesson in modesty and simplicity; above all, may they behold in this same Garment, which they wear day and night, the eloquent expressive symbol of their prayers for divine assistance.”
The Feast Day in Honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is July 16.