A garment of grace

 THE BROWN SCAPULAR 

(A Garment of Grace)

From the late 14th century the brown scapular summed up the Carmelite devotion to Mary. The scapular was a part of the Carmelite habit and  probably originally served as an apron.  It was     related that our Lady had appeared to St. Simon Stock, the Prior General of the Carmelites, in the year 1251, had taken hold of his scapular and   promised that anyone who died wearing this garment would not perish eternally...Through the scapular, the Carmelite family desired to share the gifts of God, and in a particular way, the maternal love of Mary, with all those who wished to be included.

The scapular is understood to be symbolic clothing signifying the protection of Mary for the one who wears it.  The scapular is a reminder of Mary’s    commitment to us and our commitment to Mary.  It is a reminder of her constant presence in our lives and her interest in us.  She is really a Mother and a Sister, leading us and guiding us to Christ her Son in whom we find salvation.  She is with us in life and in death.  We say to her often, “Pray for us, now and at the hour of our death.”  Wearing the scapular is   intended to be an outward reminder of what should be going within. 

(excerpts from Mary the Contemplative by Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm.)

THE SABBATINE PRIVILEGE

The Blessed Virgin of Mt. Carmel has promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell.  She will also shorten their stay in purgatory if they should pass from this world still owing some temporal debt of punishment.  Catholic theologians and authorities like Vermeersh, St. Robert Belarmine, Beringer, Benedict XV, and many others, explained the promise to mean that anyone dying in Mary’s family (Carmelite Order or Scapular Confraternity) will receive from her, at the hour of death, either the grace of perseverance in the state of grace or the grace of final contrition for sins.  This promise is found in Bull of Pope John XXII.  The Blessed Virgin appeared to him and speaking of those who wear the Brown Scapular 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 PRAYER OF ST. SIMON STOCK

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 us in our necessities.  O Star of the Sea, help and protect us.  Show us that you are our Mother.

3 Hail Marys, Glory

Mary, hope of all Carmelites,

pray for us.

Mary, Queen and beauty of Carmel, 

pray for us.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE      

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Most Holy Virgin, Mother of God, Queen Beauty of Carmel, I this day while wearing your holy scapular choose you as my Mother and my Queen.  

In order that my whole life may be entirely devoted to you.  I consecrate myself to your Immaculate Heart.

May the holy scapular of Carmel which I am resolved to wear day and night until death, be for me a mirror of humility and chastity, an emblem of modesty and simplicity, an eloquent symbol of unceasing prayer and the special sign of my consecration to your Immaculate Heart.

O illustrious Queen of Carmel, may the holy scapular inspire me to live in the spirit of my consecration to your Immaculate Heart, all the days of my life.  May it keep my body pure and my soul holy and may it lead me under your guidance to that degree of perfection to which God has called me.

Then, when my last hour comes, may this “Sign of Salvation” save me from the fires of hell and the pains in purgatory, according to your glorious   promises, so that as soon as possible, I may join you, my Mother and Queen, in the unending bliss of Paradise.  Amen.   

Lord, grant that those who in devotion 

have put on the habit of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 

may put on her virtues also and enjoy her unfailing protection.