The Brown Scapular
"Those who die wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire!"
-Our Lady to St. Simon Stock
The Brown Scapular was presented by Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, the Father General of the Carmelite Order, on July 16, 1251. St. Simon’s story is very interesting. He was an English hermit and lived in the hollow of a tree. He received the name “stock” because he lived in the hollowed trunk or stock of a tree. In time he became a Carmelite and later the Father General of the order. He led the order during a time of struggle. The Carmelites originally were hermits on Mount Carmel, near Nazareth in the Holy Land. When they migrated to Europe, in this case England, some saw great wisdom in no longer being hermits and instead becoming friars who would work among the people. St. Simon guided them through this state of transition. In the year 1251 a most momentous vision took place. St. Simon Stock, newly transplanted to England, prayed earnestly to Our Lady for help. Then: To him appeared the Blessed Virgin with a multitude of angels, holding the scapular of the order in her blessed hands … Our Lady gave St. Simon a scapular for the Carmelites with the following promise, saying: “Receive, My beloved son, this habit of thy order: this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire …. It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace.”
Enrollment and Guidelines
Anyone wishing to join the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular must be properly enrolled by a priest who has the faculties to do so. Those who are enrolled remain confraternity members for life and if anyone should fail to wear the scapular, even for an extended period, there is no need for a re-enrollment in the confraternity. Also, new scapulars need not be blessed if the wearer has already been enrolled.
The following guidelines should also be observed for the Brown Scapular.
1. The scapular must be made of 100% woven wool.
2. Its color may be any shade between brown and black, but preferably brown.
3. It must be two rectangular shaped pieces of the cloth connected by cord or string.
4. It must be worn over the shoulders to rest on the front and back of the body.
5. It may be decorated with pictures or designs but this is not necessary.
Act of Consecration to
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Procedure for the Blessing &
Investiture of the Brown Scapular
Latin
Priest – Ostende nobis, domine misericordiam tuam.
Respondent – Et salutare tuum da nobis.
P – Domine, exaudi orationem meum.
R – Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
P – Dominus vobiscum.
R – Et cum spiritu tuo.
P – Oremus. Domine Jesu Christe, humani generis Salvator, hunc habitum, quem propter tuum tuaeque Genitricis Virginis Mariae de Monte Carmelo, Amorem servus tuus devote est delaturus, dextera tua sancti+fica, tu eadem Genitrice tua intercedente, ab hoste maligno defensus in tua gratia usque ad mortem perseveret: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
THE PRIEST DOES THE ASPERSION & INVESTS PERSONS SAYING:
P – Accipite hunc, habitum benedictum precantes sanctissima Virginem, ut ejus meritis illum perferatis sine macula, et vos ab omni adversitate defendat, atque advitam perducat aeternam. Amen.
AFTER INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS:
P – Ego, ex potestate mihi concessa, recipio vos ad participationem, omnium bonorum spiritualium, qua, cooperante misericordia Jesu Christi, a Religiosa de Monte Carmelo peraguntur.
In Nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus Sancti. + Amen.
Benedicat + vos Conditor caeli at terrae, Deus omnipotens, qui vos cooptare dignatus est in Confraternitatem Beatae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo: quam exoramus, ut in hore obitus vestri conterat caput serpentis antiqui, atque palmam et coronam sempiternae hereditatis tandem consequamini Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R – Amen.
English
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, Saviour of the human race, sanctify by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our Lady of Mont 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 liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.
THE PRIEST DOES THE ASPERSION & INVESTS PERSONS 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 Mont 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.