Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Signs in ordinary human life

The world in which we live is full of material things which have symbolic meaning: light, fire, water ..... There are also, in every- day life, experiences of relationships between human beings, which express and symbolize deeper realities such as sharing a meal (as a sign of friendship), taking part in a protest march (as a sign of solidarity), joining together in a national celebration (as a sign of identity). We need signs and symbols to help us under-stand what is happening at present, or what happened before, and to give us an awareness of who we are, as individuals and as groups.

Signs in Christian life

Jesus is the great sign and gift of the Father's love. He founded the Church as a sign and instrument of his love. Christian life also has its signs. Jesus used bread, wine, and water, to help us understand higher things, which we can neither see nor touch.

In the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments (baptism confirmation, reconciliation, matrimony, orders, the sacrament of the sick) the symbols, (water, oil, the laying on of hands, the rings), all have their own meaning and bring us into communication with God, present in each of them.

As well as liturgical signs, the Church has others related to some event, to some tradition, or some person. One of these is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The Scapular is a sign of Mary

One of the signs in the tradition of the Church from many centuries ago is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is a sign approved by the Church and accepted by the Carmelite Order as an external sign of love for Mary, of the trust her children have in her, and of commitment to live like her.

The word scapular indicates a form of clothing which monks wore when they were working.

With the passage of time, people began to give symbolic meaning to it: the cross to be borne every day as disciples and followers of Christ. In some religious orders, such as the Carmelites, the Scapular turned into a sign of their way of life. The Scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and to others. Thus it became a sign of Mary.

The Carmelite Brown Scapular is not:

• a magical charm to protect you

• an automatic guarantee of salvation

• an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life

It is a sign which has been approved by the Church for over seven centuries. It stands for the decision to follow Jesus like Mary: be open to God and to his will; be guided by faith, hope, and love; to pray at all times; to discover God present in all that happens around us; introduces people into the family of Carmel; points to a renewed hope of encountering God in eternal life with the help of Mary's protection and intercession.

Some practical rules

• People are enrolled in the Scapular only once, by a priest or authorized person.

• The scapular can be replaced afterwards by a medal which has on one side the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the other, the image of Mary. NOTE*

• The scapular holds us to live as authentic Christians in line with the teaching of the Gospel, to receive the sacraments, to profess our special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, which should be expressed each day, at least, by saying the Hail Mary three times.

NOTE* It is the desire of the Pope that the Scapular Medal should not be worn in place of the Cloth Scapular without sufficient reason. Mary cannot be pleased with any one who substitutes the medal out of vanity, or fear to make open profession of religion. Such persons run the risk of not receiving the Sabbatine Promise. The medal has never been noted for any of the miraculous preservations attributed to the Brown Cloth Scapular.

WOW

Saint Claude de la Colombiere, the renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of ,Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque said: "Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin, all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to Her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to Heaven, I say without a moment’s hesitation the BROWN SCAPULAR is the most favored of all!" He also adds: "No devotion has been confirmed by more numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular" (photo of Saint Claude de la Colombiere courtesy of Saint Margaret Mary Graphics).

The Brown Scapular is a Roman Catholic devotion to Mary under her title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is worn as a sign of love and devotion for the Mother of God.

The Scapular was presented by Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, the Father General of the Carmelite Order, on July 16, 1251, who appeared to him at the Carmelite Priory in Aylesford, Kent, England. Of course the Scapular itself existed before then as part of the religious habit of the Carmelites - but in this vision the Queen of Heaven and Earth attached a very special promise to the devout use of the Scapular. She said - "Receive this habit of your Order; this shall be to you and to all Carmelites a privilege that whosoever dies clothed in this habit shall never suffer eternal fire" ...it shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace.

Another important aspect of wearing the Scapular is the Sabbatine Privilege. This concerns a promise made by Our Lady to Pope John XXII. In a papal letter he issued, he recounted a vision that he had had. He stated that the Blessed Virgin had said to him in this vision, concerning those who wear the Brown Scapular: "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." According to Church tradition, there are three conditions necessary to participate in this Privilege and share in the other spiritual benefits of the Scapular: • wear the Brown Scapular, • observe chastity according to your state in life, • and pray the Rosary.

In addition to the Sabbatine Privilege, enrollment in the Brown Scapular also makes a person part of the Carmelite family throughout the world. They therefore share in all of the prayers and good works of the Carmelite Orders. Participation in the Carmelite family also, of course, places you in a special relationship with the Carmelite saints, especially St. Elijah (Elias), St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, and, most importantly, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Many popes and saints have strongly recommended wearing, the Brown Scapular to the Catholic Faithful, including St. Robert Bellarmine, Pope John XXII, Pope Pius Xl, and Pope Benedict XV. For example, St. Alphonsus said: "Just as men take pride in having others wear their livery, so the Most Holy Mary is pleased when Her servants wear Her Scapular as a mark that they have dedicated themselves to Her service, and are members of the Family of the Mother of God.

Pope Pius XII went so far as to say: "The Scapular is a practice of piety which by its very simplicity is suited to everyone, and has spread widely among the faithful of Christ to their spiritual profit."

Pope Paul VI said: "Let the faithful hold in high esteem the practices and devotions to the Blessed Virgin...the Rosary and the Scapular of Carmel" and in another place referred to the Scapular as: "so highly recommended by Our illustrious predecessors."

In order to receive the spiritual blessings associated with the Scapular, it is necessary to be formally enrolled in the Brown Scapular by either a priest or a lay person who has been given this faculty. Once enrolled, the enrollment is for life and need not be repeated. Anyone, adult or infant, who has not previously been enrolled may be enrolled in the Brown Scapular.

Participation in this devotion is open to nonCatholics as well !

Pope Benedict XV granted an indulgence of 500 days each time the Scapular is kissed. Mary's Motherhood is not limited to Catholics, it is extended to all men. Many miracles of conversion have been wrought in favor of good non-Catholics who have been induced to practice the Scapular devotion.

Since children these days are not generally enrolled, if you enroll your children in the scapular, it will become an apostolate, a modest Catholic missionary activity (just in case anyone asks). So it is a grace of evangelism to fly the flag, so to speak.

General Ecclesiastical Regulations Concerning The Small Scapulars

The small scapulars consist essentially of two quadrilateral segments of woolen cloth (about two and three-quarter inches long by two inches wide), connected with each other by two strings or bands in such a manner that, when the bands rest on the shoulders, the front segment rests before the breast, while the other hangs down an equal distance at the back.

The two segments of cloth need not necessarily be equally large, various scapulars having the segment before the breast of the above dimensions while the segment at the back is much smaller. The material of these two essential parts of the scapular must be of woven wool; the strings or bands may be of any material, and of any one colour. The colour of the segments of woollen cloth depends on the colour of the monastic habit, which it to a certain extent represents, or on the mystery in honour of which it is worn.

Here, however, it must be remarked that the so called Brown Scapular of the Carmelites may be black, and that the bands of the Red Scapular of the Passion must be of red wool. On either or both of the woollen segments may be sewn or embroidered becoming representations or other decorations (emblems, names etc.) of a different material. It is only in the case of the Red Scapular that the images are expressly prescribed.

Several scapulars may be attached to the same pair of strings or bands; each scapular must of course be complete, and must be attached to both bands. In many cases the five best-known of the early scapulars are attached to the same pair of bands this combination is then known as the "fivefold scapular". The five are: the Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity, that of the Carmelites, of the Servites, of the Immaculate Conception, and the Red Scapular of the Passion. When the scapulars are thus joined together, the bands must be of red wool, as required by the Red Scapular; it is customary to wear the Red Scapular uppermost and that of the Most Blessed Trinity undermost, so that the images specially prescribed in the case of the Red, and the small red and blue cross on the Scapular of the Blessed Trinity, may be visible.

Scapulars are available free from the Carmelites. A more durable Scapular is available at about $ 4.50 each. Kits for home sewing are available from the Carmelites, with all the materials, at less cost. You could consider this as an apostolate to make the finished product available in your parish bookstore.

How Should I Wear It?

To share in the indulgences and privileges of a scapular, one must wear it constantly; it may be worn over or under one's clothing and may be laid aside for a short time, if necessary. Should one have ceased wearing the scapular for a long period (even through indifference), one gains none of the indulgences, during this time, but, by simply resuming the scapular, one again participates in the indulgences, privileges, etc.

According to Father John Hardon's Catholic Dictionary the scapular medal was authorized as a substitute by Pope Saint Pius X in 1910. Investiture requires the scapular. After that the medal may be worn for any reason even for reasons of convenience. The scapular medal has all the same indulgences that are associated with cloth scapular.

The cloth scapular must be worn around the neck, with one tab in front and one in back, inside or outside the clothing, but medal can be worn anywhere on the person, including in one's pocket. Many rosaries have scapular medals on them. If you are enrolled in the brown scapular, carrying that rosary in your pocket is the same as wearing one around your neck. Both cloth and medal scapulars may be removed for brief periods of time (such as for bathing) without losing the indulgences. The scapular may be given to any Catholic, even to a baby. It may be given in any place, even in a sick room.

Here's the full text of the document Pope Saint Pius X issued authorizing the use of the scapular medal:

The Scapular Medal

In 1910, Pope Saint Pius X introduced a scapular medal which may be substituted in most cases for any of the various scapulars. Valid enrollment in the scapulars must, however, be made before the substitution.

The decree, in translation, reads thus:

"For the future all the faithful already inscribed or who shall be inscribed in one or other of the real Scapulars approved by the Holy See (excepting those which are proper to the Third Orders) by what is known as regular enrollment may, instead of the cloth scapulars, one or several, wear on their persons, either round the neck or otherwise, provided it be in a becoming manner, a single medal of metal, through which, by the observance of laws laid down for each scapular, they shall be enabled to share in and gain all the spiritual favors (not excepting what is known as the Sabbatine Privilege of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel), and all the privileges attached to each.

"The right side of this medal must show the image of Our Most Holy Redeemer, Jesus Christ, showing His Sacred Heart, and the obverse that of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. It must be blessed with a separate blessing for each of the scapulars in which the person has been enrolled and for which the wearer wishes it to suffice. Finally, these separate blessings may be given by a single sign of the cross , whether in the act of enrollment or later at the convenience of those enrolled, it matters not how long after the enrollment or in what order they may have taken place; the blessing may be given by a priest other than the one who made the enrollment, as long as he possesses the faculty, ordinary, or delegated, of blessing the different scapulars- the limitations, clauses, and conditions attached to the faculty he uses still holding their force. All things to the contrary, even those calling for special mention, notwithstanding" (Holy Office, Rome, December 16, 1910).

The Scapular Medals

Since 1910 and the regulation of the Holy Office of 16 December of that year (Acta Apost. Sedis, III, 22 sq.) it is permitted to wear, instead of one or more of the small scapulars a single medal of metal. This medal must have on one side a representation of Jesus Christ with His Most Sacred Heart and on the other an image of the Mother of God.

All persons who have been validly invested with a blessed woollen scapular may replace such by this medal. The medal must be blessed by a priest possessing the faculty to bless and invest with the scapular or scapulars which the medal is to replace. The faculties to bless these medals are subject to the same conditions and limitations as the faculties to bless and invest with the corresponding scapulars. If the medal is to be worn instead of a number of different scapulars, it must receive the blessing that would be attached to each of them, i. e. as many blessings as the number of scapulars it replaces.

For each blessing a sign of the Cross suffices. This medal must also be worn constantly, either about the neck or in some other seemly manner, and with it may be attained all the indulgences and privileges of the small scapulars without exception. Only the small (not the large) scapulars may be validly replaced by such medals.

† In the year 1241, the Baron de Grey of England was returning from the Crusades in Palestine: he brought back with him a group of religious from the holy mountain of Carmel. Upon arrival, the baron generously presented the monks with a manor house in the town of Aylesford. Ten years later, in the very place, there occurred the now famous apparition of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock,. As the Holy Virgin handed St. Simon the brown woolen Scapular, She spoke these words :

" This shall be the privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire. "

In time, the Church extended this magnificent privilege to all the laity who are willing to be investe din the Brown Scapular of the Carmelites, and who perpetually wear it.

The Scapular is not a talisman or lucky charm - it would be a great insult to live a life of willful sinfulness and still expect to obtain the benefits of the Promise.

Mount Carmel in the land of Isreal has been a symbol of beauty and majesty throughout the ages. Long revered as holy, it became a place set apart for prayer and templation by early hermits and prophets.

Here in dramatic fashion the prophet Elijah vanquished with fire the false priests of Baal and renewed the covenant of the chosen people with God. Here too, during a time of severe drought, Elijah prayed seven times for life-giving rain. From the heights he saw a tiny cloud rising from the sea.

Fire and rain and the beauties of the earth all come together in the mountain air of Carmel. It was no wonder that the contemplation of hermits and monks continued to flourish on Mount Carmel in the early days of the Church.

Under the influence of the Gospel message and the beginnings of Christian tradition, they came to see Mount Carmel as a true symbol of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.

The sign of the small cloud bearing life-giving rain becam linked to the "Magnificat" of Mary, "for He that is mighty has done great things to me." From the mystical cloud of the Annunciation came the life-giving glory of the Resurrection and the Sacramental life of the Church.

During the time of the Crusades in the Medieval Church, the Carmelite Order was formed from the rich prophetic and mystical traditions of Mount Carmel, under the patronage of Mary as Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

It was to one of the early leaders of this Caremlite Order, Saint Simon Stock, that Mary appeared, promising her protection to all who would devoutly wear the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel.

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Aylesford, England (1251)

Mary's continuing influence on the development of Christianity in England becomes apparent again with her appearance to Simon Stock, who became a member of the religous order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In her appearance to Friar Stock, Mary entrusted him with the brown scapular (two pieces of brown woolen cloth, usually embroidered with an outline of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and tied together by string and worn over the shoulders) :

"My beloved son receive this scapular for your Order. It is the special sign of a privilege which I have obtained for you and for all God's children who honor me as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Those who die devotedly clothed with this scapular shall be preserved from eternal fire. The brown scapular is a badge of salvation. The brown scapular is a shield in time of danger. The brown scapular is a pledge of peace and special protection, until the end of time."

After this apparition, Friar Stock went on to establish Carmelite communities near university towns in England, France and Italy. He became the Superior-General of his order several years after the apparition. Until very recently, the brown scapular was one of the most widely used religious symbols of personal dedication to the mission of Mary found in her last recorded words in the Bible (John 2:5). The promotion and use of all types of Marian devotional symbols has declined dramatically since the 1960's.

(This is the best Carmelite information site on the internet! Most Totally extensive and informative!)

† Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Signs in ordinary human life The world in which we live is full of material things which have symbolic meaning: light, fire, water ..... There are also, in every- day life, experiences of relationships between human beings, which express and symbolize deeper realities such as sharing a meal (as a sign of friendship), taking part in a protest march (as a sign of solidarity), joining together in a national celebration (as a sign of identity). We need signs and symbols to help us under-stand what is happening at present, or what happened before, and to give us an awareness of who we are, as individuals and as groups. Signs in Christian life Jesus is the great sign and gift of the Father's love. He founded the Church as a sign and instrument of his love. Christian life also has its signs. Jesus used bread, wine, and water, to help us understand higher things, which we can neither see nor touch. In the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments (baptism confirmation, reconciliation, matrimony, orders, the sacrament of the sick) the symbols, (water, oil, the laying on of hands, the rings), all have their own meaning and bring us into communication with God, present in each of them. As well as liturgical signs, the Church has others related to some event, to some tradition, or some person. One of these is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Scapular is a sign of Mary One of the signs in the tradition of the Church from many centuries ago is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is a sign approved by the Church and accepted by the Carmelite Order as an external sign of love for Mary, of the trust her children have in her, and of commitment to live like her. The word scapular indicates a form of clothing which monks wore when they were working. With the passage of time, people began to give symbolic meaning to it: the cross to be borne every day as disciples and followers of Christ. In some religious orders, such as the Carmelites, the Scapular turned into a sign of their way of life. The Scapular came to symbolize the special dedication of Carmelites to Mary, the Mother of God, and to express trust in her motherly protection as well as the desire to be like her in her commitment to Christ and to others. Thus it became a sign of Mary. The Carmelite Brown Scapular is not: • a magical charm to protect you • an automatic guarantee of salvation • an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life It is a sign which has been approved by the Church for over seven centuries. It stands for the decision to follow Jesus like Mary: be open to God and to his will; be guided by faith, hope, and love; to pray at all times; to discover God present in all that happens around us; introduces people into the family of Carmel; points to a renewed hope of encountering God in eternal life with the help of Mary's protection and intercession. Some practical rules • People are enrolled in the Scapular only once, by a priest or authorized person. • The scapular can be replaced afterwards by a medal which has on one side the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the other, the image of Mary. NOTE* • The scapular holds us to live as authentic Christians in line with the teaching of the Gospel, to receive the sacraments, to profess our special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, which should be expressed each day, at least, by saying the Hail Mary three times. NOTE* It is the desire of the Pope that the Scapular Medal should not be worn in place of the Cloth Scapular without sufficient reason. Mary cannot be pleased with any one who substitutes the medal out of vanity, or fear to make open profession of religion. Such persons run the risk of not receiving the Sabbatine Promise. The medal has never been noted for any of the miraculous preservations attributed to the Brown Cloth Scapular. WOW Saint Claude de la Colombiere, the renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of ,Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque said: "Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin, all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to Her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to Heaven, I say without a moment’s hesitation the BROWN SCAPULAR is the most favored of all!" He also adds: "No devotion has been confirmed by more numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular" (photo of Saint Claude de la Colombiere courtesy of Saint Margaret Mary Graphics). The Brown Scapular is a Roman Catholic devotion to Mary under her title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is worn as a sign of love and devotion for the Mother of God. The Scapular was presented by Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, the Father General of the Carmelite Order, on July 16, 1251, who appeared to him at the Carmelite Priory in Aylesford, Kent, England. Of course the Scapular itself existed before then as part of the religious habit of the Carmelites - but in this vision the Queen of Heaven and Earth attached a very special promise to the devout use of the Scapular. She said - "Receive this habit of your Order; this shall be to you and to all Carmelites a privilege that whosoever dies clothed in this habit shall never suffer eternal fire" ...it shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace. Another important aspect of wearing the Scapular is the Sabbatine Privilege. This concerns a promise made by Our Lady to Pope John XXII. In a papal letter he issued, he recounted a vision that he had had. He stated that the Blessed Virgin had said to him in this vision, concerning those who wear the Brown Scapular: "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." According to Church tradition, there are three conditions necessary to participate in this Privilege and share in the other spiritual benefits of the Scapular: • wear the Brown Scapular, • observe chastity according to your state in life, • and pray the Rosary. In addition to the Sabbatine Privilege, enrollment in the Brown Scapular also makes a person part of the Carmelite family throughout the world. They therefore share in all of the prayers and good works of the Carmelite Orders. Participation in the Carmelite family also, of course, places you in a special relationship with the Carmelite saints, especially St. Elijah (Elias), St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, and, most importantly, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Many popes and saints have strongly recommended wearing, the Brown Scapular to the Catholic Faithful, including St. Robert Bellarmine, Pope John XXII, Pope Pius Xl, and Pope Benedict XV. For example, St. Alphonsus said: "Just as men take pride in having others wear their livery, so the Most Holy Mary is pleased when Her servants wear Her Scapular as a mark that they have dedicated themselves to Her service, and are members of the Family of the Mother of God. Pope Pius XII went so far as to say: "The Scapular is a practice of piety which by its very simplicity is suited to everyone, and has spread widely among the faithful of Christ to their spiritual profit." Pope Paul VI said: "Let the faithful hold in high esteem the practices and devotions to the Blessed Virgin...the Rosary and the Scapular of Carmel" and in another place referred to the Scapular as: "so highly recommended by Our illustrious predecessors." In order to receive the spiritual blessings associated with the Scapular, it is necessary to be formally enrolled in the Brown Scapular by either a priest or a lay person who has been given this faculty. Once enrolled, the enrollment is for life and need not be repeated. Anyone, adult or infant, who has not previously been enrolled may be enrolled in the Brown Scapular. Participation in this devotion is open to nonCatholics as well ! Pope Benedict XV granted an indulgence of 500 days each time the Scapular is kissed. Mary's Motherhood is not limited to Catholics, it is extended to all men. Many miracles of conversion have been wrought in favor of good non-Catholics who have been induced to practice the Scapular devotion. Since children these days are not generally enrolled, if you enroll your children in the scapular, it will become an apostolate, a modest Catholic missionary activity (just in case anyone asks). So it is a grace of evangelism to fly the flag, so to speak. General Ecclesiastical Regulations Concerning The Small Scapulars The small scapulars consist essentially of two quadrilateral segments of woolen cloth (about two and three-quarter inches long by two inches wide), connected with each other by two strings or bands in such a manner that, when the bands rest on the shoulders, the front segment rests before the breast, while the other hangs down an equal distance at the back. The two segments of cloth need not necessarily be equally large, various scapulars having the segment before the breast of the above dimensions while the segment at the back is much smaller. The material of these two essential parts of the scapular must be of woven wool; the strings or bands may be of any material, and of any one colour. The colour of the segments of woollen cloth depends on the colour of the monastic habit, which it to a certain extent represents, or on the mystery in honour of which it is worn. Here, however, it must be remarked that the so called Brown Scapular of the Carmelites may be black, and that the bands of the Red Scapular of the Passion must be of red wool. On either or both of the woollen segments may be sewn or embroidered becoming representations or other decorations (emblems, names etc.) of a different material. It is only in the case of the Red Scapular that the images are expressly prescribed. Several scapulars may be attached to the same pair of strings or bands; each scapular must of course be complete, and must be attached to both bands. In many cases the five best-known of the early scapulars are attached to the same pair of bands this combination is then known as the "fivefold scapular". The five are: the Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity, that of the Carmelites, of the Servites, of the Immaculate Conception, and the Red Scapular of the Passion. When the scapulars are thus joined together, the bands must be of red wool, as required by the Red Scapular; it is customary to wear the Red Scapular uppermost and that of the Most Blessed Trinity undermost, so that the images specially prescribed in the case of the Red, and the small red and blue cross on the Scapular of the Blessed Trinity, may be visible. Scapulars are available free from the Carmelites. A more durable Scapular is available at about $ 4.50 each. Kits for home sewing are available from the Carmelites, with all the materials, at less cost. You could consider this as an apostolate to make the finished product available in your parish bookstore. How Should I Wear It? To share in the indulgences and privileges of a scapular, one must wear it constantly; it may be worn over or under one's clothing and may be laid aside for a short time, if necessary. Should one have ceased wearing the scapular for a long period (even through indifference), one gains none of the indulgences, during this time, but, by simply resuming the scapular, one again participates in the indulgences, privileges, etc. According to Father John Hardon's Catholic Dictionary the scapular medal was authorized as a substitute by Pope Saint Pius X in 1910. Investiture requires the scapular. After that the medal may be worn for any reason even for reasons of convenience. The scapular medal has all the same indulgences that are associated with cloth scapular. The cloth scapular must be worn around the neck, with one tab in front and one in back, inside or outside the clothing, but medal can be worn anywhere on the person, including in one's pocket. Many rosaries have scapular medals on them. If you are enrolled in the brown scapular, carrying that rosary in your pocket is the same as wearing one around your neck. Both cloth and medal scapulars may be removed for brief periods of time (such as for bathing) without losing the indulgences. The scapular may be given to any Catholic, even to a baby. It may be given in any place, even in a sick room. Here's the full text of the document Pope Saint Pius X issued authorizing the use of the scapular medal: The Scapular Medal In 1910, Pope Saint Pius X introduced a scapular medal which may be substituted in most cases for any of the various scapulars. Valid enrollment in the scapulars must, however, be made before the substitution. The decree, in translation, reads thus: "For the future all the faithful already inscribed or who shall be inscribed in one or other of the real Scapulars approved by the Holy See (excepting those which are proper to the Third Orders) by what is known as regular enrollment may, instead of the cloth scapulars, one or several, wear on their persons, either round the neck or otherwise, provided it be in a becoming manner, a single medal of metal, through which, by the observance of laws laid down for each scapular, they shall be enabled to share in and gain all the spiritual favors (not excepting what is known as the Sabbatine Privilege of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel), and all the privileges attached to each. "The right side of this medal must show the image of Our Most Holy Redeemer, Jesus Christ, showing His Sacred Heart, and the obverse that of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. It must be blessed with a separate blessing for each of the scapulars in which the person has been enrolled and for which the wearer wishes it to suffice. Finally, these separate blessings may be given by a single sign of the cross , whether in the act of enrollment or later at the convenience of those enrolled, it matters not how long after the enrollment or in what order they may have taken place; the blessing may be given by a priest other than the one who made the enrollment, as long as he possesses the faculty, ordinary, or delegated, of blessing the different scapulars- the limitations, clauses, and conditions attached to the faculty he uses still holding their force. All things to the contrary, even those calling for special mention, notwithstanding" (Holy Office, Rome, December 16, 1910). The Scapular Medals Since 1910 and the regulation of the Holy Office of 16 December of that year (Acta Apost. Sedis, III, 22 sq.) it is permitted to wear, instead of one or more of the small scapulars a single medal of metal. This medal must have on one side a representation of Jesus Christ with His Most Sacred Heart and on the other an image of the Mother of God. All persons who have been validly invested with a blessed woollen scapular may replace such by this medal. The medal must be blessed by a priest possessing the faculty to bless and invest with the scapular or scapulars which the medal is to replace. The faculties to bless these medals are subject to the same conditions and limitations as the faculties to bless and invest with the corresponding scapulars. If the medal is to be worn instead of a number of different scapulars, it must receive the blessing that would be attached to each of them, i. e. as many blessings as the number of scapulars it replaces. For each blessing a sign of the Cross suffices. This medal must also be worn constantly, either about the neck or in some other seemly manner, and with it may be attained all the indulgences and privileges of the small scapulars without exception. Only the small (not the large) scapulars may be validly replaced by such medals. † In the year 1241, the Baron de Grey of England was returning from the Crusades in Palestine: he brought back with him a group of religious from the holy mountain of Carmel. Upon arrival, the baron generously presented the monks with a manor house in the town of Aylesford. Ten years later, in the very place, there occurred the now famous apparition of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock,. As the Holy Virgin handed St. Simon the brown woolen Scapular, She spoke these words : " This shall be the privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire. " In time, the Church extended this magnificent privilege to all the laity who are willing to be investe din the Brown Scapular of the Carmelites, and who perpetually wear it. The Scapular is not a talisman or lucky charm - it would be a great insult to live a life of willful sinfulness and still expect to obtain the benefits of the Promise. Mount Carmel in the land of Isreal has been a symbol of beauty and majesty throughout the ages. Long revered as holy, it became a place set apart for prayer and templation by early hermits and prophets. Here in dramatic fashion the prophet Elijah vanquished with fire the false priests of Baal and renewed the covenant of the chosen people with God. Here too, during a time of severe drought, Elijah prayed seven times for life-giving rain. From the heights he saw a tiny cloud rising from the sea. Fire and rain and the beauties of the earth all come together in the mountain air of Carmel. It was no wonder that the contemplation of hermits and monks continued to flourish on Mount Carmel in the early days of the Church. Under the influence of the Gospel message and the beginnings of Christian tradition, they came to see Mount Carmel as a true symbol of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church. The sign of the small cloud bearing life-giving rain becam linked to the "Magnificat" of Mary, "for He that is mighty has done great things to me." From the mystical cloud of the Annunciation came the life-giving glory of the Resurrection and the Sacramental life of the Church. During the time of the Crusades in the Medieval Church, the Carmelite Order was formed from the rich prophetic and mystical traditions of Mount Carmel, under the patronage of Mary as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was to one of the early leaders of this Caremlite Order, Saint Simon Stock, that Mary appeared, promising her protection to all who would devoutly wear the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel. • Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Aylesford, England (1251) Mary's continuing influence on the development of Christianity in England becomes apparent again with her appearance to Simon Stock, who became a member of the religous order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In her appearance to Friar Stock, Mary entrusted him with the brown scapular (two pieces of brown woolen cloth, usually embroidered with an outline of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and tied together by string and worn over the shoulders) : "My beloved son receive this scapular for your Order. It is the special sign of a privilege which I have obtained for you and for all God's children who honor me as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Those who die devotedly clothed with this scapular shall be preserved from eternal fire. The brown scapular is a badge of salvation. The brown scapular is a shield in time of danger. The brown scapular is a pledge of peace and special protection, until the end of time." After this apparition, Friar Stock went on to establish Carmelite communities near university towns in England, France and Italy. He became the Superior-General of his order several years after the apparition. Until very recently, the brown scapular was one of the most widely used religious symbols of personal dedication to the mission of Mary found in her last recorded words in the Bible (John 2:5). The promotion and use of all types of Marian devotional symbols has declined dramatically since the 1960's. © 1997-2001 The Carmelite Home Page (This is the best Carmelite information site on the internet! Most Totally extensive and informative!) © 2000 Carmelnet.org © 2000 Our Lady of Victory Camp © 1997-2000 Domestic Church Communications Ltd. © 1995 Trinity Communications "The Work of God: Apparitions of Our Lady," © 2000 theworkofgod.org	home stewardship smm sacraments sacramentals exchange	chucheteria outreach webography privacy statement e-mail bulletin
	you are within the sacramentals transponder
	Brown Scapular (photo courtesy of Barbara Kotlowski) Artist's rendition of The Blessed Virgin Mary presenting Saint Simon Stock with the Brown Scapular (photo courtesy of Stock Images) A more common Brown Scapular that many lay people wear (photo courtesy of Stock Images) Close-up look at the Brown Scapular (photo courtesy of Stock Images) Artist's rendition of Our Lady of Mount Carmel appearing to Saint Simon Stock (photo courtesy of Stock Images)
Home Stewardship SMM History Sacraments Sacramentals Exchange Churcheteria Outreach Webography Privacy Statement E-Mail Bulletin