Brown Scapular - Our Lady's Means of Dispensing the Graces of Her Son

Hello Everyone:

Welcome to Day 2 of our Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Today we are going to focus on the fact that to wear our Brown Scapular is to trust in Our Mother's love for us by dispensing the love and grace of Jesus.

Each time we see our Scapular, it should remind us that we are to be the child of Mary that would please the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. We should daily kiss it because it will remind us of our wearing it and it also gives a 500 day indulgence for each time it is kissed. It is Our Lady's garment and it is worn with great joy knowing we are placing ourselves under Her Mantle and begging Her to keep watch over our souls. This by no means is to be understood that we are to make no more effort in growing in virtue. The job is still ours to continue to grow in God's grace.

The constant daily practice of wearing the scapular, is therefore an act of faithful homage to Our Lady but, as St. Alphonsus says, the desire to amend one's life is also necessary before we can be morally certain that She will be the cause of our eternal salvation. There are countless souls in Heaven today who owe their imperishable crowns to the special intercession of Our Lady. 

There is a wealth of theology in a little story that Bishop Sheen loved to tell, "St. Peter approached Christ and complained that he found souls in Heaven who had no right to be there. The Savior looked at him and said: "Peter, I am not blaming you, for no matter how well you guard the gate to Heaven, they get in; when you close the gate, my Mother opens the window." Every mother's love is extravagant simply because it is. How often the mother has more love and affection in her heart for an afflicted child than one that is not afflicted. 

We could imagine that Our Lady seeing and hearing the good thief on the cross near Her Son was praying for him. The prayers of Our Lady standing at the foot of the Cross won for him not only forgiveness but a place in Heaven that very day. Her Heart beats in unison with Her Son's and they love us together.

Many do not understand this concept. Mary on Her own can do nothing. She is only a vessel of God's grace.... but She is full of God's grace and She is appointed to be the dispenser of that grace. Mary has been given the privilege of being the Mother of God and therefore the Mother of us as well. Her Will is always perfectly in union with the Will of God.  She can never ask for something that is not the Will of God. Our salvation is the Will of God but justice that a soul deserves can be mitigated with the prayers of the Blessed Mother.

Why not wear the Brown Scapular and beg Her to pray for you?

Holy Mother Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death!
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - pray for us!

---