The Brown Scapular

 

The Brown Scapular: A Symbol of Salvation and Peace

If you are looking for a simple yet powerful way to express your devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, you might want to consider wearing the Brown Scapular. This is a sacramental that consists of two small pieces of brown wool, connected by strings or cords, that are worn over the shoulders, with one piece resting on the chest and the other on the back. The Brown Scapular is a sign of belonging to the Carmelite Order, a religious family that traces its origins to the ancient hermits who lived on Mount Carmel in Israel, where the prophet Elijah encountered God in a burning bush.

The Brown Scapular has a rich history and a remarkable promise attached to it. According to tradition, in the year 1251, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, an English Carmelite friar, and gave him the scapular as a gift. She said to him: "This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire. It is a sign of salvation, a sure safeguard in danger, and a pledge of peace and my special protection until the end of the ages." 

This promise, known as the "Scapular Promise", was later extended by the Church to all the faithful who wear the scapular with devotion and follow certain conditions. These conditions include being enrolled in the scapular by a priest, living a chaste life according to one's state in life, praying daily the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary or another Marian prayer (such as the Rosary), and wearing the scapular continuously or at least at the hour of death.

The Brown Scapular is not a magic charm or a guarantee of salvation. It is a reminder of our commitment to follow Jesus Christ with the help and intercession of Mary, His Mother and our Mother. It is also a symbol of our trust in her maternal care and protection, especially at the moment of death, when she will accompany us to meet her Son. As Pope Pius XII said: "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." 

UPDATE January 2024

Recently, an alleged Catholic voiced their displeasure regarding the Brown Scapular and its merits on X (formerly Twitter):

Wearing the brown scapular will guarantee you are going to heaven is a lie.

It’s based on a blatantly fraudulent story about a Marian apparition.

The fact that it clearly contradicts Catholic teaching should be the first give away. pic.twitter.com/01TRDOeFtr

— Thomas Polega 🇻🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@ThomasPolega) January 22, 2024

This alleged Catholic clearly does not understand what the devotion of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount carmel is all about.  

If you want to learn more about the Brown Scapular, its history, its meaning, and its benefits, you can visit these websites:

- [Our Lady's Promise of the Scapular](https://www.ourladyspromise.org/scapular.php)

- [15 promises of the brown scapular – Guadalupe Gifts](https://guadalupegifts.com/blogs/catholic-journal/15-promises-of-the-brown-scapular)

- [FAQs: The Brown Scapular - CatholiCity.com](https://www.catholicity.com/scapulars/brownscapular-FAQ.html)

- [What are the promises of the brown Scapular - AMC4L - Amcatholic4life](https://amcatholic4life.com/what-are-the-promises-of-the-brown-scapular/)

- [Understanding the Brown Scapular: History, Promise, and Significance](https://beautifulbible.org/brown-scapular-prayer/)

Is the Scapular a Magic Charm? | Catholic Answers Magazine

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  This is another title upon which Our Lady is invoked.

There is only ONE Blessed Mother Mary, but the Church has many titles for her; and rightfully so, she is the model for all Christians to imitate if they wish to be Christ-like.

The feast day has its origin within the Carmelite tradition. The Carmelite order is a religious group of priests, brothers and sisters who take vows.  It is believed that this group originated with Elijah and Elisha of the Old Testament.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251 and introduced the sacramental called the "Brown Scapular." The Brown Scapular is a cloth that is placed over the shoulders with one piece resting on the mid back and the other on the mid chest. This is why the word "scapular" is used which comes from 'scapula' or the shoulder blade.  Brown Scapulars are usually made of wool and symbolize the yolk of Christ.(Matthew 11:30)  A larger version is used by different religious orders within the Catholic Church.

The Brown Scapular has to be imposed with a specific rite. Not anyone can just wear it and expect to receive the spiritual benefits. Those spiritual benefits include indulgences, special protection from danger, graces to aid in perseverance and deliverance from Purgatory.

“Take this Scapular, it shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger and a pledge of peace. Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”

                                                                        - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to St. Simon Stock

May Our Lady of Mount Carmel pray for us and for the souls in Purgatory.