The Brown Scapular

Since the 15th Century, devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has been linked to the Brown Scapular, a sacramental, signifying the wearer's devotion to Mary and the spirituality of the Carmelite Order, namely trust in her motherly protection and immaculate heart. Mary is the model for a life of discipleship and always leads us to her Son, Jesus. Her soul is a sanctuary, reserved for God Alone, and we are called to strive to imitate her humility, chastity, and spirit of prayer, a reminder of the constant nearness and presence of God, and our recourse to the grace of the Sacraments. 

The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is celebrated on July 16.

The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a power spiritual weapon and sacramental. It is a battle standard, a banner, and a shield in our fight for holiness. Our Mother gave us this wonderful gift. Why would we not embrace it with open arms?

It is the promise piously to be believed, that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave to Pope John XXII in a vision, that She will deliver Her faithful children who have worn the Scapular devoutly from purgatory soon after their death, notably the first Saturday after death.  “As a tender Mother, I will descend into purgatory on the Saturday after their death, and will deliver them into the heavenly mansions of life everlasting.”  (Words of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Pope John XXII).  This Sabbatine Privilege was promulgated and taught through the famous Bull Sacratissimo Uti Culmine (Sabbatine Bull) of Pope John XXII in 1322 and given definitive ratification in 1908 by the Holy See.

The requirements for obtaining the Sabbatine Privilege:

1. To wear the Brown Scapular continuously (after being invested of course).
2. To observe chastity according to one’s state in life.
3. The daily recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary OR to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays OR with the permission of a priest say 5 decades of the Holy Rosary.

Priest - Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.

Respondent - And grant us Thy salvation.

P - Lord, hear my prayer.

R - And let my cry come unto Thee.

P - The Lord be with you.

R - And with your Spirit.

P - Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, sanctify + by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

 THE PRIEST SPRINKLES WITH HOLY WATER THE SCAPULAR AND THE PERSON(S) BEING ENROLLED. HE THEN INVESTS HIM (THEM), SAYING:

 P - Receive this blessed scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin that through Her merits, you may wear it without stain. May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.

 AFTER INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS:

 P - I, by the power vested in me, admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus Christ by the Religious Order of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. + Amen.

 May God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth, bless + you, He who has deigned to join you to the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel; we beseech Her to crush the head of the ancient serpent so that you may enter into possession of your eternal heritage through Christ our Lord.

R - Amen.

 THE PRIEST THEN SPRINKLES AGAIN WITH HOLY WATER THE PERSON(S) ENROLLED.