Catholic devotional

One of the most popular sacramentals in Catholic devotional life is the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the scapular has been a type of apron worn by monks and nuns while working at duties, and is still part of the Carmelite habit today. 
 
The more familiar form used by most Catholic laymen consists of two small panels of cloth joined by string and worn over the shoulders. Since the Church considers the brown scapular to be a miniature religious habit, it is a highly indulgenced sacramental, which is a conduit of God’s grace for those properly disposed.
 
Although the Carmelites have always been devoted servants of the Virgin Mary, she did not give the brown scapular just to the Carmelites. She gave it to the whole world so that all her sons and daughters could wear an outward sign of her love for them. As a “cloak” of grace and love, the scapular represents the protection and security we find in our heavenly mother’s love. Our Lady has given us her scapular to wear, a garment of special concern, a sign of belonging and a mantle of grace and love.
 
Pope Saint John Paul II was very devoted to Our Lady and had a special place in his heart for the brown scapular. In a message to the Carmelites, he wrote, “The sign of the Scapular points to an effective synthesis of Marian spirituality, which nourishes the devotion of believers and makes them sensitive to the Virgin Mother’s loving presence in their lives.”
 
The message of the brown scapular is to always follow Christ in faith, hope and charity. This includes regular attendance at Mass and reception of the sacraments, frequent reflection on the Word of God, daily prayer and a determined effort to eliminate faults while growing in virtue. Learning more about Carmelite saints and their teachings can deepen our understanding of the mystery of Christ as the source of all truth and holiness, and about the graces we receive through Mary’s intercession which come from Jesus, in order to lead us back to Him.
 
What types of people can enroll in the brown scapular? As a result of centuries of evolution of devotion to Mary through the scapular, there are today several categories of devotees, according to the degree of identification, with an affiliation to the family of Carmel. These may be listed as follows: Carmelite priests, monks and nuns; laymen enrolled in the Secular Order (also called The Third Order); those who belong to public associations such as the Confraternity of the Scapular; all those who have been invested in the scapular, practice the Carmelite Order’s spirituality, and have been granted some degree of association with the Order; those who wear the scapular out of devotion, practice the Carmelite Order’s spirituality, but have no formal association with the order; those who are committed to practice the Marian characteristics of Carmelite spirituality but use outward forms other than the brown scapular to express this devotion.
 
All of the above are committed to put into practice the Marian characteristic of Carmelite spirituality wholly and fervently, but in forms which correspond to the nature of the bond that ties them to the family of Mary. Catholics wear Our Lady’s scapular as a loving response, a fervent “YES”! to her desire that we keep Jesus as the center of our lives and bring Him to others.
 
The Catholic Church has a beautiful custom of enrolling children in the brown scapular at the time of their First Communion, which places them under the tender care of their heavenly mother. The blessing of the brown scapular and enrollment of children and adults can be done by a priest or deacon in a simple ceremony described in “The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Catechesis and Ritual” dated Oct. 30, 2000.
 
Information provided by the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order in our diocese. Those interested in more information about Discalced Carmelite Seculars can contact Bryon Herbel at [email protected] or Cheryl Hansen at [email protected] or 701-527-4022.