Post by guillaume on Aug 3, 2008 7:00:32 GMT
Aug 2, 2008 21:57:55 GMT @royalosiodhachain said:
From the Vatican Library: The Brown Scapular and other Scapulars205. The history of Marian piety also includes "devotion" to various scapulars, the most common of which is devotion to the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Its use is truly universal and, undoubtedly, its is one of those pious practices which the Council described as "recommended by the Magisterium throughout the centuries"(255).
The Scapular of Mount Carmel is a reduced form of the religious habit of the Order of the Friars of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel. Its use is very diffuse and often independent of the life and spirituality of the Carmelite family.
The Scapular is an external sign of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession, who are mindful of the primacy of the spiritual life and the need for prayer.
The Scapular is imposed by a special rite of the Church which describes it as " a reminder that in Baptism we have been clothed in Christ, with the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, solicitous for our conformation to the Word Incarnate, to the praise of the Trinity, we may come to our heavenly home wearing our nuptial garb"(256).
The imposition of the Scapular should be celebrated with "the seriousness of its origins. It should not be improvised. The Scapular should be imposed following a period of preparation during which the faithful are made aware of the nature and ends of the association they are about to join and of the obligations they assume"(257).
The Brown Scapular of the Carmelite Order bears the inscription, "Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer the Eternal Fire" I have worn the Scapular for about 20 years and still do. Does anyone care to comment on how wearing the Scapular has benefited you? And does anyone believe the promise that you shall not suffer the Eternal Fire should you die wearing the Scapular or do you think this is made up by a pious old monk at the Carmelite Monastary?
I do wear the brown Scapular as well. Scapular is a gift - indeed - from our Lady. It is also a sign a of Marian devotion.