Brown scapular

[Jonni_Jeja]

I have a couple of questions in regards to the brown scapular.

1. My priest gave it a blessing for me yesterday. But it came with an instruction booklet and it had a prayer that the priest is to say before I can wear it. Can I now wear it after the priest gave it a blessing or do I need to go and ask for it to be done with the blessing that’s to be said which came with the scapular.
2. Can I take it off when I am sleeping, showering and well you know spending time with my wife so to speak.

I have basically got the brown scapular to help me think more about my actions and to help me avoid sinning when I have a weak moment.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Della]

I have a couple of questions in regards to the brown scapular.

1. My priest gave it a blessing for me yesterday. But it came with an instruction booklet and it had a prayer that the priest is to say before I can wear it. Can I now wear it after the priest gave it a blessing or do I need to go and ask for it to be done with the blessing that’s to be said which came with the scapular.

If your priest gave you a blessing it’s all you need to wear the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

1. Can I take it off when I am sleeping, showering and well you know spending time with my wife so to speak.

Yes, certainly. You may wish to buy a scapular medal which you can wear all the time, but don’t attach the medal to the scapular because the scapular is the habit of the Brothers and Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and should not be adorned with other sacramentals.

I have basically got the brown scapular to help me think more about my actions and to help me avoid sinning when I have a weak moment.

Thanks in advance.

That’s good. Wearing the scapular is supposed to remind us to keep our baptismal vows with the aid of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. And, you’re welcome.

 

[Jonni_Jeja]

Thanks so much for your help and time
I ordered the scapular from the US as it looked like one that would last for a while. It does have a crucifix and a medal attached. Can I now take them off the brown scapular as it’s now been blessed?

 

[ManyFaces]

Thanks so much for your help and time
I ordered the scapular from the US as it looked like one that would last for a while. It does have a crucifix and a medal attached. Can I now take them off the brown scapular as it’s now been blessed?

I leave the crucifix and medal attached. Have worn this one for 9 years and have not removed it once. I concentrate on the spirit not little do’s and don’ts, The Lord knows our heart and our intentions.

 

[spina1953]

I have a Brown Scapular that was given to me by a Carmelite priest. It is a plain brown woolen one. laterr I joined the Descalsed Carmelite Secular order and have been a member now for several years. It reminds me that I am under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as well as turning my mind to God at all times.

I do take it off when showering etc. but wear it nearly all the time.

 

[ajecphotos]

Any particular Brown Scapular to be had or any one will do? Also, a general blessing is ok?

 

[Della]

Thanks so much for your help and time
I ordered the scapular from the US as it looked like one that would last for a while. It does have a crucifix and a medal attached. Can I now take them off the brown scapular as it’s now been blessed?

Yes, if you wish. Since you are not a member of the Lay Carmelites you have more latitude regarding using it as a sacramental, but the Carmelite Order does not attach any other sacramentals to the scapular because it is their habit.

 

[spina1953]

Yes, if you wish. Since you are not a member of the Lay Carmelites you have more latitude regarding using it as a sacramental, but the Carmelite Order does not attach any other sacramentals to the scapular because it is their habit.

Hi Della: You are correct. However there are some Secular Carmelites who do wear some type of sacramental to their brown Scapular, though as a habit of the order of Carmel one should not, but some do anyway.

 

[Della]

Hi Della: You are correct. However there are some Secular Carmelites who do wear some type of sacramental to their brown Scapular, though as a habit of the order of Carmel one should not, but some do anyway.

Yes, some do but they really shouldn’t. The scapular is sacramental enough for Lay members of the Carmelite Order.

 

[spina1953]

Yes, some do but they really shouldn’t. The scapular is sacramental enough for Lay members of the Carmelite Order.

Hi Della: I agree! As for myself as a Discalced Carmelite Secular I wear a plain Brown Scapular as a remembrance of humility.

 

[Della]

Hi Della: I agree! As for myself as a Discalced Carmelite Secular I wear a plain Brown Scapular as a remembrance of humility.

I was an O. Carm but our community couldn’t be sustained and the order doesn’t take isolates any more. The OCD is a bit too much commitment for me, I’m afraid. I just wear the medal now and a crucifix. As an ordinary lay Catholic it is enough to remind me to keep my baptismal vows, which is what wearing any sacramental is meant to do. I am still a devotee of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes were instrumental in my becoming a Catholic. One of the silent apparitions at Lourdes took place on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. That connection has always encouraged me that Mary is keeping me under the mantel of her special protection no matter what spirituality I may embrace, which the Church approves.

 

[spina1953]

I was an O. Carm but our community couldn’t be sustained and the order doesn’t take isolates any more. The OCD is a bit too much commitment for me, I’m afraid. I just wear the medal now and a crucifix. As an ordinary lay Catholic it is enough to remind me to keep my baptismal vows, which is what wearing any sacramental is meant to do. I am still a devotee of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes were instrumental in my becoming a Catholic. One of the silent apparitions at Lourdes took place on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. That connection has always encouraged me that Mary is keeping me under the mantel of her special protection no matter what spirituality I may embrace, which the Church approves.

Hi Della: I am so sorry to hear that your O. Carm community could no longer be sustained and that they no longer take isolates anymore. Yes, the OCDS can be a little overwhelming in the spirituality, and it does take a fair amount of commitment. Still, wearing the Brown Scapular, knowing that one is under the protection or Our Lady of Mount Carmel who intercedes for us with her Son and also her Spouse God the Father, helps one to come a little closer to Our Lord, loving Him with all of our hearts and not just saying it but putting into practice as we are taught as Catholic’s and also helps one to be a better Catholic by our actions.

 

[Jonni_Jeja]

Many thanks for all your advice.

I have decided to leave it intact. Will i still have some protection?

It does work though as the other day i got challenged (i parked in a disabled parking space, long story) and straight away i thought of what i was wearing and thought better of telling a lie and admitted it was my car. I got some earache I can tell you. But i did smile at the fact that it made me examine my conscience.

I have to admit i am still trying to get used to praying to Mary as I am from the Protestant faith. I prayed the rosary today but still getting confused on how to do it as there are that many different ways and also do you think if i said the rosary and just meditate on what i know off by heart will be ok rather than truing to read verses on the go?

 

[camkutz]

You can wear it if it is blessed by the priest, as much as you can wear it if it isn’t blessed. But for it to become a sacramental, as you will know it must be blessed.

However, to receive the Sabbatine Privilege, which is the promise that “Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire” it isn’t JUST blessed but there is also an enrollment ceremony which the priest **should ** do with you, for you to receive the Sabbatine Privilege, let me emphasize you cannot get this privilege if you haven’t been properly enrolled.

Here below is the link to the enrollment ceremony:

freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_enrollment.html

Also with regards to “adorning” it with other sacramentals, I believe you can there isn’t a big deal about that, but don’t wear the scapular medal without permission from your priest, because this is mostly used for people with a valid reason who cannot wear wool scapulars, such as those who have an allergy

Cam

 

[spina1953]

Many thanks for all your advice.

I have decided to leave it intact. Will i still have some protection?

It does work though as the other day i got challenged (i parked in a disabled parking space, long story) and straight away i thought of what i was wearing and thought better of telling a lie and admitted it was my car. I got some earache I can tell you. But i did smile at the fact that it made me examine my conscience.

I have to admit i am still trying to get used to praying to Mary as I am from the Protestant faith. I prayed the rosary today but still getting confused on how to do it as there are that many different ways and also do you think if i said the rosary and just meditate on what i know off by heart will be ok rather than truing to read verses on the go?

Hi Jonni Jeja: Good for you! Yes, you will be under the protection of our Blessed Mother Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Praying to Mary is like a child who asks the mother for something that the mother will talk to the father to see if it is ok. So praying to Mary to intercede for us to her Son is always good as also she leads us to her Son. it is the same with the Rosary in that one meditates or contemplates the Life of the Son (Jesus) and so draws one closer to Jesus through His Mother. Hope that helps you some, peace and God bless.

PS.: There are five decades and say the sign of the cross then the Creed, the Our Father 3 Hail Mary’s and then a Glory be, next, say either the Joyful, or sorrowful, luminous, or Glorious mysteries each for each decade and say 1 Our Father, 10 hail Mary’s,1Glory Be, then go on to the next decade for each of the mysteries, when at the end say the hail Holy Queen prayer and then the sign of the cross and you are done. You can pray one decade at a time or all five or the whole of all of the mysteries depending on how much time you have. Hope that helps you.

 

[SheenRosaries]

I have to admit i am still trying to get used to praying to Mary as I am from the Protestant faith. I prayed the rosary today but still getting confused on how to do it as there are that many different ways and also do you think if i said the rosary and just meditate on what i know off by heart will be ok rather than truing to read verses on the go?

If you memorize the Hail Mary and Our Father you have most of it memorized the glory be and Fatima prayer come quickly because they are short. The Apostles Creed and Hail Holy Queen on the other hand take some time (they are not repeated as much either), my Grandma (one of the sweetest Catholic ladies ever) taught my dad, who then taught me to say the Memorare at the end instead of the closing prayer. I do not know what the Church would say about this, but I think it would be ok. It is much easier to memorize as well. So reading along the first few times with the prayers is probably a good idea but shouldn’t take too many times. The mysteries on the other hand are very difficult and I look them up almost everytime.

Have fun! The rosary is so powerful it changes lives I’m glad you are starting it . I’ll be praying for you, will you pray for me too?

 

[asia53]

However, to receive the Sabbatine Privilege, which is the promise that “Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire” it isn’t JUST blessed but there is also an enrollment ceremony which the priest **should ** do with you, for you to receive the Sabbatine Privilege, let me emphasize you cannot get this privilege if you haven’t been properly enrolled.

Also with regards to “adorning” it with other sacramentals, I believe you can there isn’t a big deal about that, but don’t wear the scapular medal without permission from your priest, because this is mostly used for people with a valid reason who cannot wear wool scapulars, such as those who have an allergy

Cam

The Sabbatine Privilege was debunked in 1613. It doesn’t exist. For more information read this: Brown Scapular

No, you can’t “adorn” the Scapular.

Asia, Lay Carmelite in formation, who just returned from a formation lesson on Elijah, Mother Mary and the Brown Scapular.

 

[Della]

The Sabbatine Privilege was debunked in 1613. It doesn’t exist. For more information read this: Brown Scapular

True, but I think camkutz merely confused it with the general promise given to those who wear the scapular. The Sabbatine Privilege referred to Mary releasing souls from purgatory the first Saturday after their death. That is what the Church rejected, not the promise of eternal life to those who wear the scapular with the understanding that they wear it as a sign and reminder to keep their baptismal vows.

No, you can’t “adorn” the Scapular.

It should certainly not be adorned by Lay Carmelites, but I’m not so sure others may not. Still, the Order has asked us not to adorn it, so everyone really ought to abide by that ruling. There are no dire consequences and it’s not a sin to adorn the scapular it simply isn’t necessary.

Asia, Lay Carmelite in formation, who just returned from a formation lesson on Elijah, Mother Mary and the Brown Scapular.

Congratulations. May Our Lady bless your formation as you discern God’s will for you.

 

[camkutz]

Oh wow, I didn’t know the Sabbatine Privilege was done away with?! The general promise being ‘whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire?’

It was my understanding one HAD to have to be properly enrolled in the scapular confraternity by a priest to receive the promise?

 

[Della]

Oh wow, I didn’t know the Sabbatine Privilege was done away with?! The general promise being ‘whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire?’

Yes. The Church ruled that it wasn’t a real promise and that Mary has no power to deliver people from purgatory. She certainly prays for them, no doubt helping them, but she cannot and does not deliver poeple from purgatory.

It was my understanding one HAD to have to be properly enrolled in the scapular confraternity by a priest to receive the promise?

No. The promise says one is simply to wear it, thus anyone, even a non-Catholic or non-Christian may wear the scapular just as anyone may use any other sacramental. But being enrolled brings certain privileges with it such as the prayers of all enrolled and all the benefits of the Order.