“Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”
Elijah is such an important prophet in the Old Testament, that he represents all prophets at the Transfiguration of Jesus in the Gospels. Many amazing miracles happened through him, perhaps none more spectacular than Elijah calling down fire from Heaven on Mt. Carmel to, “…devour the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust, and lapped up the water in the trench…” (1 Kings 18:38). Mt. Carmel held a great place in the history of the Israelites.
In the 12th Century, pilgrims who visited the Holy Land gathered on Mt. Carmel to emulate Elijah, who they considered an ancient founder of monastic life. They lived on Mt. Carmel with a common rule of life, and built a central chapel dedicated to Our Lady, their Patroness. They came to be known as Brothers of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel.
The 13th Century was a difficult century for the “Carmelites,” and in the midst of their suffering, Our Lady appeared to the English Carmelite St. Simon Stock on July 16th, 1251. She gave him the Brown Scapular, a garment worn by religious over the shoulders as an apron, to be worn by Carmelites as a sign of her protection.
The Scapular, as a special garment of consecrated religion, is known from the time of St. Benedict (6th century). His monks were to wear one over their habit while working. From this practical purpose, the Scapular came to be called “the yoke of Christ,” and acquired spiritual meaning as a sign of devotion and piety. Among the laity who associate with particular orders, or practice a particular spirituality, the smaller versions of such Scapulars are intended as similar signs and reminders.
The Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, or Brown Scapular, consists of two pieces of brown wool on a cord. As a small version of the Scapular of the Carmelite Order, those who wear it practicing virtue associate themselves with the Carmelite Order, both in their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and their expectation of her protection. (EWTN)
While there are no special prayers or good works that are required of the wearer, the brown scapular is expected to be a sign that shows one’s consecration and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are expected to venerate her, love her, trust in her protection and stay close to her in prayer. There are additional promises to those who observe certain requirements. Our Lady of Mount Carmel promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell and to shorten their stay in purgatory, if necessary. This promise presupposes the following: That the faithful wear the brown scapular continuously, observe chastity according to one’s state in life and recite five decades of the Rosary daily. (Spiritual directors can substitute other practices for the Rosary). Perhaps the best-known fact about the scapular is Mary’s promise to St. Simon Stock that “Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” However, the brown scapular is not an avoid-hell-and-get-into-heaven-free cloth that excuses us from living a Christian life. To do otherwise misses the scapular’s meaning, thinking a sinful life is OK or that Our Lord’s mercy can be “bought.” One is expected to live a faithful life in accordance with the Gospel. If one wishes to wear the brown scapular, he or she should ask to be “enrolled” (a simple ceremony which can be performed by any priest). Simply wearing a blessed scapular from a gift shop falls short of this but is not wholly wrong. The goal however is to be “enrolled.” (Our Sunday Visitor, Msgr. Charles Pope).
-Fr. Chris Uhl, OMV
