BROWN SCAPULAR

Brown scapular

The Brown Scapular is a sacramental, one of the many items set apart or blessed by the Church to inspire devotion and increase holiness. The Carmelite Order, to which the Scapular belongs, originated on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land and the Scapular is itself a reflection in miniature of the habit which the monks wear as a sign of their vocation and devotion.

The Scapular consists of two small pieces of brown wool connected by string and worn over the shoulders. The Scapular must be brown, rectangular in shape, and made of 100 percent lamb's wool (symbolic of Jesus, the Lamb of God). The strings connecting the pieces of wool may be of any color or material and pictures on the scapulars are optional. The Scapular must, however, be worn over the shoulders, one part in front and one in back.

The Scapular devotion was born on July 16, 1251 when Our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Simon Stock, general of the Carmelite Order, in response to his heartfelt prayers for assistance. Holding the Scapular before him, Our Lady spoke, saying:

“Take this Scapular. Whosoever dies wearing it shall not suffer eternal fire. It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger and pledge of peace.”

This great promise was further magnified some eighty years later when the Queen of Heaven appeared to Jacques Duèze (later Pope John XXII) and told him that “those who have been invested with this Holy Habit will be delivered from Purgatory the first Saturday after their deaths.” This great secondary promise attached to the Scapular is called the Sabbatine (Saturday) Privilege and is based on a decree issued by John XXII in 1322 (and re-confirmed 400 years later by Pope Paul V). In our own century, Pope Benedict XV, as a sign of his approval, granted a 500-day indulgence each time the Scapular is kissed.

At its essence, the Scapular is a prayer in which Our Lady draws us nearer to the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Son. For over seven hundred years, the promise of the Scapular has been proven theologically sound and confirmed by miracles which the Blessed Claude de la Colombière has called “more numerous and authentic” than any other sacramental devotion.

Various Scapulars

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 me in this necessity. O Star of the sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us! O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation! Amen.