The Scapular

The Brown Scapular

The Scriptures | The Saints | Other Scapulars

treasured promise that "whosoever Dies Clothed in this Shall not suffer eternal Fire". This is because she would insure that the person would be visited by a priest so that they may confess their sins. She is telling us that her scapular is a consecration to her, for as we remain under her protection she shall aid us. The Scapular is a way of saying to Mary that we venerate her, we have confidence in her and we love her and we love her. By simply wearing the Scapular, we tell her all th Mother of GOD, she obtained from the Blessed Trinity the Scapular, which works like an armor protecting you from the front and back, repelling Satan's plan to cause you to falling sin, to lose the inheritance which awaits us all. This is why the scapular is to be worn under the clothing like an armor of a soldier who is in battle, with one of the pictures in front and the other on the back .

"If thou hadst recommended thyself to me, thou wouldst not have run into such danger."

By wearing the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin, you are consecrating yourself to Her Immaculate Heart. Just by wearing the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin you are placing yourself under Her protection, under Her guidance. It is an act of veneration, an act of love to those who wear the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin.

To those who wear the Scapular, when temptation arises, Mary intervenes because it is Her duty to protect and guide you, through your act of consecration by wearing Her Scapular. We should be careful not to place limits on the mercy of her who is the refuge of sinners and the Mother of mercy.

The Scapular is NOT a "lucky charm'. It would be rash to presume that just because we wear the Scapular, we will be saved. It is, rather, a sign of consecration to Our Lady. And, if we die practicing this consecration, we can be sure of great help from the blessed virgin. Further Pope Pius XII warns us saying

"But not for this reason, however, may they who wear the Scapular think that they can gain eternal salvation while remaining sinful and negligent of spirit, for the Apostle warns us: 'In fear and trembling shall you workout your salvation'" (Philippians 2:12).

Also authorities have noted that a habitual sinner will not persevere in wearing the Scapular.

Scriptures and The Scapular

The Scriptures do not give us a clear indication of the scapular butfrom them (the Scriptures) we know certain things, not all . However wedo know that Mount Carmel is were the Great Prophet St. Elijah took refugeas we read in the Old Testament " so she went forward, and came tothe man of God to Mount Carmel" (4 kings 4:25), but this doesn't showus the true significance of the scapular but rater shows us that we shouldtake refuge in the divine trust of the Immaculate heart of Mary. Neverthelesswe come to see the true value of this Garment (the Scapular) in the NewTestament as it can be liked to the healing of a woman who was sick, butwas healed, only when touching the clothes of Christ, (Luke 8:46), thiscan be liked to the scapular in that by this garment we also put our faithin heavenly assistance in all our needs and troubles.

We must also note that the Sacred Scriptures contains many promisesthat seem to demand only one condition, as well much like the scapularas we read in St. Paul's writings to the Romans (Rom 8:24) that he saysthat we are saved by hope. Further we read that Tobias 12:9 says, "Itis almsgiving that saves one from eternal death. And Our Lord Himself promiseseternal life to those who receive the Holy Eucharist (John 6:52).

The Church Teaching

Pope Puis IX

"This most extraordinary gift of the Scapular from the Motherof God to Saint Simon Stock- Brings its great usefulness not only to theCarmelite Family of Mary but also to all the rest of the Faithful who wish,affiliated to that Family, to follow Mary with a very Special Devotion."

Pope Pius XI

"Explorata res" of Feb. 2, 1923: ". . nor wouldhe incur eternal death whom the Most Blessed Virgin assists, especiallyat his last hour. This opinion of the Doctors of the Church, in harmonywith the sentiments of the Christian people, and supported by the experienceor all times, depends especially on this reason, the fact that the SorrowfulVirgin shared in the work of redemption with Jesus Christ."

Pope Puis XIII

Its a "sign of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,Which we are Particularly recommending in these perilous times."

Benedict XV

"Let all of you have a common language and a common armor:the language, the sentences of the Gospel; the common armor, the Scapularof the Virgin of Carmel, which you all ought to wear and which enjoys thesingular privilege of protection even after death."

St John Vianney

It is "Ones Safeguard against temptation."

St. Alphonsus

"Just as men take pride in having others wear their livery,so the Most Holy Mary is pleased when Her servants wear Her Scapular asa mark that they have dedicated themselves to Her service, and are membersof the Family of the Mother of God."

Bishop Fulton Sheen

"The Scapular bears a double witness: to Mary's Protectionagainst the ravages of the Flesh occasioned by fall, and to Mary's Influenceas Mediatrix of Graces, who covers our souls with the richness of her Son'sRedemption."

Blessed Claude de la Colombiere, (spiritual directory r of being sunk by a tornadoin the Indian Ocean, were saved from a watery gravve when a young Catholicsailor took off his Scapular, waved it in the form of the Cross and threwit in to the ocean. Immediately its fury abated! Shortly afterwards a waveletwashed the scapular onto the deck at the sailor's feet. A Protestant minister,Rev. James Fisher, his wife and Children witnessed the Scapular miracle.After docking in Australia, the Fishers found a Priest who received them into the Catholic faith.

A house in St. Aulaye, France was discovered in Flames. Fr. Lejeune induced a boy to throw his Scapular into the burning house. The fire instantly stopped. Next day the Scapular was found in the debris perfectly intact and uninjured.

St. John Bosco who died in 1888 was buried in his Scapular. When his body was exhumed in 1929 the scapular was found intact beneath the rotted garments, for the rest of his clothing had decayed.

THE SABBATINE PRIVILEGE