THE BROWN SCAPULAR IS FOR ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN
The first and foremost thing to know about the Scapular is that it belongs to Our Lady - it is her garment given to her children so that she can exercise her power of prayer over that child - that is it! I do not know why over the centuries, men outside and inside the Church have to struggle with this sacramental. It is a gift of Our Queen and Mother so that she can pray for us in times of difficulty. Some very unholy men have claimed that Catholics look at it as magical or having powers of its own. All sacramentals are holy and should be treated with reverence. This is a sacramental and one which is promised by Our Lady to help us get to Heaven. WHY? The reason is simple - when we wear it - She is being asked by us to pray for us in a special way. She protects us from evil and the enemy ! She is the reason for its effectiveness. To be enrolled or vested with the Brown Scapular means to put on clothes or garments. The Scapular is the garment of Our Blessed Mother. It is brown because it comes from the religious Order of Carmelites who live in imitation of Mary and under Her special protection. This is an opportunity that might not be readily available to you again, therefore, all Carmelites should promote its enrollment to everyone. Our Lady of Fatima on October 13, 1917 came as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with the Scapular in her hand - pleading for us to wear it.
Enrollment can only be done by a priest. Once you are enrolled, you are enrolled for life. This means that you can wear the Scapular at any given time in your life and enjoy the special graces and prayers of the Blessed Mother. If one chooses not to wear the Scapular, the only consequence is that the person will not receive the special graces given to those who choose to wear it.
One of the greatest means of final perseverance we have is devotion to our Blessed Mother. Her love embraces every child of Adam and there is no power that will snatch a soul from her protecting love. The duration of her help is until we reach Heaven where she will present our soul to God as her very own child.
By wearing the Scapular, one shares in all the good works of the Carmelite Order who pray for the Church. One who is enrolled shares in and participates in its spiritual treasures of Masses, prayers and good works. It may be that someday, an enrolled member of the Brown Scapular is helped by the prayers of a Carmelite. This may only be known to you in Heaven. One may say, The Traditional Lay Carmelites of Fatima are independent - they are not Carmelites! This is not so, as all those enrolled in the Brown Scapular - SHARE in the prayers and works of the Order. If we live as Carmelites - hopefully, by God's grace - we die as Carmelites!
Enrollment in the Brown Scapular will give us extra graces and promises in order that we may live this life more fully for Jesus. Mary will guide our souls to Heaven and help us along the path of this life in order for us to remain faithful to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Mary has asked us to wear “her garment” so that she will have the liberty to help us. It is like praying to her constantly because where Our Lady sees her Scapular, there are her eyes of mercy. The warmth of her love is enough to melt a frozen heart and win for Jesus one who would otherwise be lost in sin. It is a pity that Carmelites do not actively promote such a gift and spread this tremendous message.
Blessed Claude de la Columbiere stated that: “Because of the alliance which Mary contracts with us and which we enter into with Her by the Scapular, no other devotion renders our salvation so certain.” This statement is to be understood that Mary alone can not give us salvation but her fervent prayers before God can. Her prayers are powerful.
Sr. Lucia of Fatima was asked, “What is more powerful – the Rosary or the Scapular?”
She answered, “They are equal because they are inseparable.” Our Lady came to Fatima to ask for the daily Rosary and the wearing of the Brown Scapular, therefore, Fatima is dear to every good Carmelite.
Enrollment can only be done by a priest. Once you are enrolled, you are enrolled for life. This means that you can wear the Scapular at any given time in your life and enjoy the special graces and prayers of the Blessed Mother. If one chooses not to wear the Scapular, the only consequence is that the person will not receive the special graces given to those who choose to wear it.
One of the greatest means of final perseverance we have is devotion to our Blessed Mother. Her love embraces every child of Adam and there is no power that will snatch a soul from her protecting love. The duration of her help is until we reach Heaven where she will present our soul to God as her very own child.
By wearing the Scapular, one shares in all the good works of the Carmelite Order who pray for the Church. One who is enrolled shares in and participates in its spiritual treasures of Masses, prayers and good works. It may be that someday, an enrolled member of the Brown Scapular is helped by the prayers of a Carmelite. This may only be known to you in Heaven. One may say, The Traditional Lay Carmelites of Fatima are independent - they are not Carmelites! This is not so, as all those enrolled in the Brown Scapular - SHARE in the prayers and works of the Order. If we live as Carmelites - hopefully, by God's grace - we die as Carmelites!
Enrollment in the Brown Scapular will give us extra graces and promises in order that we may live this life more fully for Jesus. Mary will guide our souls to Heaven and help us along the path of this life in order for us to remain faithful to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Mary has asked us to wear “her garment” so that she will have the liberty to help us. It is like praying to her constantly because where Our Lady sees her Scapular, there are her eyes of mercy. The warmth of her love is enough to melt a frozen heart and win for Jesus one who would otherwise be lost in sin. It is a pity that Carmelites do not actively promote such a gift and spread this tremendous message.
Blessed Claude de la Columbiere stated that: “Because of the alliance which Mary contracts with us and which we enter into with Her by the Scapular, no other devotion renders our salvation so certain.” This statement is to be understood that Mary alone can not give us salvation but her fervent prayers before God can. Her prayers are powerful.
Sr. Lucia of Fatima was asked, “What is more powerful – the Rosary or the Scapular?”
She answered, “They are equal because they are inseparable.” Our Lady came to Fatima to ask for the daily Rosary and the wearing of the Brown Scapular, therefore, Fatima is dear to every good Carmelite.