Brown Scapular Questions. Please

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Pyjamarama

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I lost my brown scapular but have ices from past ones. I found one earlier that had one rectangle and the strings but not the other part, I guess this is not a complete scapular but if I find a second part even from a different one can I sew them together or do I need a brand new one?
 
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What about the blessing? I think my past ones were blessed? What if I cant find the second rectangle?
 
Once you have had one scapular blessed, the blessing automatically transfers to every new or replacement scapular you get. You do not need to run and get each new one blessed.
 
Thanks for sharing this. I didn’t know the blessing transferred to the next ones.

I know you only need to be enrolled one time. I thought you could opt to have the following ones blessed (if you wanted them to be blessed ) or simply continue to wear the new scapular (s).
 
You can always opt to have them individually blessed. Most places where I might buy a scapular are shrines and the priests will be blessing all your purchases anyway so if a scapular is in my bag it will get the blessing. Some people also like to get all their sacramentals blessed because they are more comfortable doing that.

But one blessing does transfer to all subsequent replacements, so, unlike getting a new rosary or medal or crucifix etc, you do not absolutely need to get the new scapulars blessed. They will take on the blessing when you wear them.
 
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Thank you.
I understand the blessings that are attached to the scapular are transferred to the subsequent brown scapulars.

Does the blessing … I have no idea how to word to this… the blessing that would make a rosary, or a crucifix, candle or even a prayer card, etc. that type of blessing is transferred ?

Asking also for @carmelitequotes to please help clarify this question/ answer or the terminology I’m lacking.
 
You know, I think you expressed yourself quite well @Bixx

I would pass on providing a definitive answer to that question, because I honestly don’t know the answer. I would defer the questions concerning blessings and rosaries to the good Dominicans, and I would be curious to know what they have to say on the matter. My assumption is that each individual item is blessed, but I could be wrong… Our Holy Mother Teresa herself knows how often I am!

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@Fauken, can you provide any Dominican insight regarding blessing of Rosaries? I was always under the impression they needed to each be blessed individually.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
@Fauken, can you provide any Dominican insight regarding blessing of Rosaries? I was always under the impression they needed to each be blessed individually.
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I’m no expert, but I have never heard of blessings transferring between rosaries. It is my understanding that a blessing is attached to a specific rosary.
 
@carmelitequotes @ Tis_Bearself
Oops~ I’m sorry. I don’t think I was clear.

I’m trying to ask if the blessing of a scapular (not the the blessings and graces it carries) if the “regular” blessing transfers. I used the example of rosaries, candles, prayer cards, etc as other things that we have blessed.

The way I understood Tisbear was the blessing is transferred to all other scapulars as if they have been blessed by a priest. I haven’t heard of this before and thought there was a difference between the blessings the brown scapular carries and having it blessed. I always understood it to be you simply had the following scapular blessed (simple, regular blessing) by a priest and you were good to go because you’re already enrolled. I was unfamiliar with not having other ones blessed.
 
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@Tis_Bearself has responded correctly. I wanted to verify the location of the document where this instruction is found, so I consulted with Fr. Blackwell from the O.Carm. province of St. Elias. He states that this instruction concerning the blessing being “passed down” from one scapular to the next is found in the booklet Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that was prepared under the direction of the provincials of the Ancient Observance (O.Carm.) and the Discalced Carmelite (O.C.D.) Orders. I am uncertain if the text is available online, but I wanted to obtain a more definitive response for you from a Carmelite friar. If I can find the text of the document and quote chapter and verse plus share the link, I’ll do so.
 
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I should hope so, as it’s written by a current Cardinal who is also a member of the Discalced Carmelite order (OCD).

It likely emphasizes the Discalced Carmelite spirituality which has more of a focus on St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, both of whom are on the front cover (with St. Therese of LIsieux, also a Discalced Carmelite). All three of them are Doctors of the Church.
 
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St. John of the Cross is not an easy read. You might be better off starting from the basics which would be St. Elijah and the original Carmelite fathers - the O. Carm. order. They also have more of a connection with the East, being Holy Land hermits originally, which might appeal to you.

Here’s a resource list:

http://www.carmelites.ie/spirituality.html

The O.C.D. Discalced order is the one that resulted much later from the reforms of St. Teresa of Avila. It built on the previous stuff.
 
If I’m not mistaken, Carmelite Spirituality, the new volume by Cardinal Arborelius that has been published in English by EWTN is a written compilation of the Cardinal’s conferences that EWTN broadcast quite a while ago. They were excellent and I was unaware that they were being released in print. In fact, I just ordered this book in Kindle format, thanks to you. God reward you @(name removed by moderator)!
 
Golly, I always feel sad whenever I see “St. John of the Cross is not an easy read” or words to that effect. Some people take to St. John of the Cross like fish to water; others find his academic style to be a bit strange. It’s entirely possible that they started at a point that was more difficult.

When someone asks me, where should I begin to read St. John of the Cross, I make three recommendations…
  • Purchase a good biography or commentary. I recommend The Impact of God (Soundings from St. John of the Cross), written by Fr. Iain Matthew, OCD, who is our Discalced Carmelite expert on St. John of the Cross teaching at the Teresianum in Rome. It is exceptional and very down-to-earth.
https://www.amazon.com/Impact-God-Soundings-John-Cross/dp/0340612576
  • Obtain a reliable translation. Currently, the best English translation of the Collected Works of St. John of the Cross with the best academic research supporting the translation is published by the Institute of Carmelite Studies in Washington DC. It contains a fine, brief biography.
https://www.icspublications.org/col...s/the-collected-works-of-st-john-of-the-cross
  • Finally, I suggest that the newcomer to St. John of the Cross who begins tabula rasa start by “dipping a toe in the water” and read the Sayings of Light and Love. That is a good place to take bite-sized portions of St. John and become acquainted with his writing style, the way he expresses profound thoughts in few words, because he will express many profound thoughts in few words throughout his major works. Next, I suggest reading the Letters because they reveal who John is as a person, as a spiritual director. Again, these are bite-sized portions that one can read and upon which one can meditate. If the person has read his biography and a commentary, the letters will make sense against the backdrop of his life. Next, I suggest reading the Poems; John is one of the best classical poets in Spain and has been recognized as such. Then, from the major works, I recommend beginning with the Spiritual Canticle. By the time one has finished reading and digesting the Canticle, that person may be ready to scale the Ascent of Mount Carmel and Dark Night, or perhaps it would be better to read the shorter Living Flame of Love next. Whichever, I always recommend that newcomers to St John of the Cross read in bite-sized portions. His works are dense.
 
porthos11 said:
I’m reading Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay and I find it an accessible and engaging treatment and synthesis of St. Teresa and St. John
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That’s good to know! Lacking time to read everything that’s out there, and because I stick to the original sources, I honestly haven’t read Fire Within.
 
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