Brown scapular - valid?

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About 2 weeks ago I went to a Carmelite parish and had the priest enroll me in the confranternity of the brown scapular. He did a very short blessing (most of which I could not make out) and I did not have to repeat anything. Is this to be considered a valid enrollment? He also did not instruct me to recite the Little Office or the Divine Hours. I’m wondering if I can just pray the rosary as some websites suggest.

Also, I was wondering if it’d be ok to shorten the length of the string so that the wool doesn’t hang so far down on my stomach whilst engaging in physical activities. Dost I speaketh sacrilege?
 
Without knowing what he said, I can not say with certainty…but I am sure he did it right and you have nothing to worry about…I have been enrolled since 2006 (I think)…there are websites that give you suggested acts of piety and prayers you should do daily…as far as the length, that was a major problem for me as well…I bought another brown scapular on ebay that was called a “sports scapular” if I remember correctly…it is a lot shorter and smaller…hard to tell it is even there…It is brown and has a golden Crusaders Cross on it…sometimes I forget to take it off before showering…Just some FYI’s, not sure if you know this or not, but you received Indulgences for kissing your Scapular when you remove it or put it on…Also, after you are enrolled and the Scapular is blessed…you can wear any wool brown scapular without needing to be re-enrolled and the new scapulars do not need to be blessed…if you get a metal one, then you still never need to be re-enrolled, but the Scapular will have to be blessed. God Bless and Good to have you in in The Confraternity
Morgan_Hiver said:
About 2 weeks ago I went to a Carmelite parish and had the priest enroll me in the confranternity of the brown scapular. He did a very short blessing (most of which I could not make out) and I did not have to repeat anything. Is this to be considered a valid enrollment? He also did not instruct me to recite the Little Office or the Divine Hours. I’m wondering if I can just pray the rosary as some websites suggest.

Also, I was wondering if it’d be ok to shorten the length of the string so that the wool doesn’t hang so far down on my stomach whilst engaging in physical activities. Dost I speaketh sacrilege?
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If it was St. Therese in Alhambra, the priests there use the new rite of enrollment, which is 100% valid, the Holy See has the right to amend or change any such rites, and regulations.

While most would encourage you to continue to wear the woolen scapular, now that you are enrolled you may wear the scapular medal especially if you engage in labor that would cause you to sweat alot. There is no problem with adjusting the length of the cords.

As to the requirements, you can follow the regulations, the minumum being, three conditions: 1) Wear the Scapular 2) Observe 6th and 9th commandments according to one’s state in life 3) say the Little Office, or, if illiterate, observance of the fasts of the Church plus abstinence on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The requirement of the Office can be commuted by a priest who has the faculty. A daily rosary is a common commutation. Those bound to the large office fulfill the condition by saying it.

Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII all priests have faculties to enroll in the Brown Scapular, and dispense from the requirements, imposing another requirement. It is however encouraged to have an association with the Carmelites if you are enrolled in the Brown Scapular.
 
Thanks for the answers and suggestions.

Yes, I was enrolled at St. Therese. I went there because I felt it was more meaningful…you know, the whole Carmelite thing. As for the Little Office…it’s definitely not that I am being lazy but I am a little pressed for time in the morning to recite it. You see, I have a very ill wife and just about all of my time is spent with her. So, you said a priest can allow me to pray the rosary in place of the Little Office? Maybe I will contact a priest and ask about this. Then on the days I am able to, I will definitely do the Little Office (morning and night).

As for the actual size of the scapular, I saw the Crusaders one but its actually a bit on the large side. I prefer the tiny, half the size of a postage stamp ones. I think I’ll try to unstitch my current one, shorten the string and stitch it back up. Looks easy enough.

I did notice I spelt confraternity with one too many N’s. Where the edit button when you need one?
 
You may want to make a run up to Cotter’s Religious Goods, just west of Downtown Los Angeles, They have bins filled with various sizes, and styles of Brown Scapulars, as well as other items.
 
There is actually a Cotters in Long Beach near ALL SOULS CEMETERY. I didn’t find their selection all that impressive. I guess I’ll stick to mail order. One thing I found nice about Cotters was that they are one of the few places to carry the New Jerusalem Bible instock.
 
If I want to the the whole brown scapular thing, should I enroll?
 
You can and should ask any priest to enroll you. If they are Carmelite, they will probably be better versed in the rite, as it is something that the Order encourages. You also share in the special graces of not just the scapular, but also the common family of the Carmelites when you are enrolled.
 
We were all enrolled by our parish priests. I have repaired the string on my children’s scapulars several times and have been told that that is fine and actually a commendable activity (rather than stopping to wear it or constantly getting new ones). We do not say a daily (:o) rosary, but do say the morning and evening office from Magnificat. Our pastor says that considering our state in life and current schedules that it is aceptable.

I don’t say that you can automatically do as we do, but I encourage you to check with your priest. He will help you to figure out what devotions would best suit your current state in life and time contraints with your wife’s illness. I will be praying for her!
 
Valid? Invalid? Where’s God in all this ritualism? I got turned off to all things scapular when I overheard a mother tell her child she (the child) wouldn’t go to hell if she was wearing a scapular when she died. Yikes! When are some Catholics going to extricate themselves from the superstitions of the Middle Ages? Carmelites would do the Church a big favor if they’d put some energy into educating folks on the several serious conditions for achieving heaven, none of which having to do with sacramentals.
 
gkirk said:
Valid? Invalid? Where’s God in all this ritualism? I got turned off to all things scapular when I overheard a mother tell her child she (the child) wouldn’t go to hell if she was wearing a scapular when she died. Yikes! When are some Catholics going to extricate themselves from the superstitions of the Middle Ages? Carmelites would do the Church a big favor if they’d put some energy into educating folks on the several serious conditions for achieving heaven, none of which having to do with sacramentals.
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Nope not sacramentals in the manner that you speak of, or rather the misinformation about them. However as a means of graces, and to promote a Christian life yes. A good Carmelite, or any priest (and the occasional layman/woman who is granted the authority to enroll someone in the Brown Scapular) instructs the person enrolled (who does not know the lifestyle that the Church requires for valid enrollment and use of the sacramental) that it is a help to living a good Christian life, and to fulfil the requirements set by the Church one has to live a life of prayer, trust in God, and holiness. Not the magical superstitions that you seem to imply the mother in your tale of yore was spinning. But then again, niether of us was there to hear if she had prior to or after instructed the child in how to live a life of great spiritual heroism, and that the Brown Scapular or any sacramental was one of the means that the Church gives us to attain that. Or is it just me that can’t read the minds and see the souls of others?
 
Morgan_Hiver said:
About 2 weeks ago I went to a Carmelite parish and had the priest enroll me in the confranternity of the brown scapular. He did a very short blessing (most of which I could not make out) and I did not have to repeat anything. Is this to be considered a valid enrollment? He also did not instruct me to recite the Little Office or the Divine Hours. I’m wondering if I can just pray the rosary as some websites suggest.

Also, I was wondering if it’d be ok to shorten the length of the string so that the wool doesn’t hang so far down on my stomach whilst engaging in physical activities. Dost I speaketh sacrilege?
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I would think the enrollement by a priest was done correctly.
You are not required to recite the Little Office, pray the Divine Hours , or pray the rosary.
That is not a condition of confraternity membership. It is ok to alter the string.
The brown scapular is a sacramental. It is part of the habit of Carmel. “This shall be to you and all Carmelites a privilege, that anyone who dies clothed in this shall not suffer eternal fire; and if wearing it they die, they shall be saved.”
The wearing of the scapular must be understood to mean that one is striving earnestly
to live up to all Christian ideals.The spiritual priviledges associated to authentic devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our Lady promised to release from purgatory soon after death all those who (1) wear the brown scapular, (2) observe chasity according to their state in life. You must be invested in the Brown Scapular and try to live a Christian life.
 
Our Lady cannot release anyone from purgation. To say otherwise is heresy. Purgation is a process, possibly instantaneous, everyone but the most holy needs to gain heaven. No one but God can determine when perfect love is achieved. Devotees of scapulars and other remnants of ancient formulae for salvation need to read scripture and the latest pronouncements on purgation (notice I avoid “purgatory” as a location), including Pope Benedict’s.
 
gkirk said:
Our Lady cannot release anyone from purgation. To say otherwise is heresy. Purgation is a process, possibly instantaneous, everyone but the most holy needs to gain heaven. No one but God can determine when perfect love is achieved. Devotees of scapulars and other remnants of ancient formulae for salvation need to read scripture and the latest pronouncements on purgation (notice I avoid “purgatory” as a location), including Pope Benedict’s.
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And what is your position of Partial and Plenary Indulgences?
 
gkirk said:
Our Lady cannot release anyone from purgation. To say otherwise is heresy. Purgation is a process, possibly instantaneous, everyone but the most holy needs to gain heaven. No one but God can determine when perfect love is achieved. Devotees of scapulars and other remnants of ancient formulae for salvation need to read scripture and the latest pronouncements on purgation (notice I avoid “purgatory” as a location), including Pope Benedict’s.
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I guess you’ll have to take it up with Our Lady since she made the Sabbatine promise. Do you suggest she made a promise she cannot keep? Of course, one cannot use the scapular as an amulet and perhaps the mother was oversimplifying the obligations for the benefit of a young child. But if you read the Rituale which forms the basis of Catholic worship along with the Missale and the Breviary, you will note the rubrics of the enrollment ceremony requires the priest to…
"…admonish the newly enrolled member that he order his life piously and fulfill all the obligations, both for tertiaries and the special ones for members who desire to enjoy the Sabbatine privilege. "

If Our Lady made the promise, I would imagine she got permission first. Your protestant-like disgust for sacramentals is pretty obvious but if you (and martin Luther) would take a second to consider that no sacramentals guarantee salvation, you might understand their grace-giving nature, as authenticated by the Church. If one follows the rule and obligations to pray the rosary and maintain in a state of grace, our Lady makes one’s spiritual destiny clear.
 
OK, I have a question about Brown Scapular and if my practice is in line with the rules.

#1. I was enrolled as a young child and I was told recently that I do not have to seek re-enrollment as the blessing transfers forward. But in my case there was a lapse of years and a return to the Church. Since I bought the scapular and the booklet, is that enough to be considered enrolled?

#2. My practice: I have set up a prayer corner in my room with a statue of Mary, an image of Jesus, a small candle, and a few pictures of those for whom I am praying. I try to pray the entire Rosary upon awakening (using a Gregorian chant CD as my alarm has helped) but occasionally I do it after breakfast.

I had originally tried to pray the Little Office but I found it hard to remain faithful, and the fact that I already know the prayers of the Rosary made this easier. I intend to expand to pray the Little Office when I have successfully estaqblished the Rosary habit and perhaps as I memorize parts of it because the act of reading distracts me.

I also carry my rosary and pray a decade here and there during the course of the day.
 
No need to be enrolled again. As long as you have gone to confession and attempt to live a good and holy life, your daily efforts, and the graces you receive for them will help you to live a life of increased holiness, and bring you closer to God.
 
What is the Little Office?
Also, is it o.k. to take the scapular off at night? I move around a lot when I sleep and my scapular winds up taking a beating!
 
Scott_D said:
What is the Little Office?
Also, is it o.k. to take the scapular off at night? I move around a lot when I sleep and my scapular winds up taking a beating!
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Here is a link to the Little Office. Like the Office (Liturgy of the Hours) that priests and cloistered Religious are bound to, but devoted to our Lady, and shorter.
liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice.htm

A Carmelite priest suggested to me that I get a chain that is strong and not too long, and use the Scapular Medal. He showed me that he was wearing the Scapular medal on a short chain around his neck, as well as a “small” wool scapular, and of course the large scapular that is part of his habit. He told me that way he always had at least one of them on.
 
While the scapular medal, on the one side the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and on the other,the image of Mary, enjoys all of the privileges granted to those wearing the cloth Scapular ( except for the partial indulgence for kissing the scapular granted by Pope Benedict XV), the substitution of the medal for the cloth should only be made for a good and serious reason. Saint Pius X insisted that he (…did not intend that the Scapular Medal
should supplant the Brown Scapular in “Europe and America.” He said, " I wear the cloth; let us never take it off."
The medal was approved for the tropic areas.
 
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