Description
MOUNT CARMEL is a promontory not far from Nazareth. It was the retreat of Elijah the Prophet and of his disciples, and became the refuge of all those who were waiting for the Savior. These disciples of Elijah (Elias) and Elisha (Eliseus), who became Christians as soon as the Apostles began to preach, built there the first oratory dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Because of this they were called the “Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.”
In the 13th century, they were expelled as the Muslims advanced, and had to resettle in the West. In the night preceding July 16th, 1251, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, the new General of the Carmelite Order, as he was praying in the monastery at Aylesford, in England. She gave him, with her holy hands, the Scapular, which is the distinctive garment of the western religious Orders, and made this promise: “Whosoever shall die wearing this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.”
This promise became known among Christians, and the faithful started the habit of wearing a small replica of the Carmelite Scapular
Fifty years later, the Most Blessed Virgin appeared to John XXII, reminded him of her original promise, and of the promise that she would free from Purgatory, on the day following their death, not only Carmelite Friars, but anyone else willing to join themselves to the Confraternity of the Carmelite Order.
PopeJohn XXII made these promises known to the Christian world in the Bull Sacratissimo Culmine of March 3rd, 1317. This was known popularly as the Sabbatine Bull (Sabbatine meaning Saturday). Three conditions are required to gain this Sabbatine Privilege: 1) to wear the Scapular habitually; 2) to preserve the chastity of one’s condition: 3) to recite daily the Office of Our Lady. Chastity according to one’s condition means complete chastity for the unmarried, and the obligation of the sacred laws of marriage for those who are married; therefore no further obligations are imposed over and above those imposed by Christian morality. Many Popes, up to and including Pope Paul II, have reminded the Catholic world of these promises and have encouraged the wearing of the Scapular.
On October 13th, 1917, the Blessed Virgin appeared to the children of Fatima with the Scapular of Mount Carmel. Later Lucy explained: “The Blessed Virgin desires everyone to wear the scapular, as it is the sign of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Rosary and the Scapular must not be separated.”
The Scapular of Mount Carmel, a sign of Consecration to Mary, is a small replica of the religious habit. It consists of two pieces of brown wool connected by ribbons or strings, and is worn under one’s clothes so that one piece hangs on the chest and the other on the back.
The Scapular must be imposed by a priest or deacon using one of the formulae contained in the Roman Ritual for reception into the Confraternity of the Scapular. The Little Office of Our Lady prescribed for the Sabbatine Privilege may be commuted by the same priest or deacon into some other devotional act (e.g. daily Rosary). The first Scapular to be worn must be blessed and
imposed by a priest or deacon. Subsequent Scapulars need not be blessed and imposed, the blessing being attached to the wearer for his whole life. There would be no sin if one ceased to
wear the Scapular after having received it, but by so doing, one would lose all the benefits promised. If, having ceased to wear the Scapular, even for several years, one should decide to wear it once again, no new imposition is necessary.
Can it be said that wearing the Scapular exempts the faithful from taking up their cross daily? Certainly not! By wearing this habit, we become the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and this will be the source of many graces which will help us to accept the sacrifices and acts of self-denial needed if we are to avoid sin and the occasions of sin, and imitate Our Blessed Savior.
