Brown Scapular

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jesusalright4me

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Hey guys! Could use your opinion on something.

So I just got a brown scapular, and I am super excited to have it blessed and to begin living out some aspects of the Carmelite spirituality (I think I am just going to recite morning and evening prayer).

I read the 2000 address from the Camelites on the scapular here meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis what struck me is how superstitious many regarded the scapular in past times!

Towards the end, the article seems to heavily critique the use of images on the scapular. I myself got mine with St. Francis on it, as I have a particular devotion to him. Now, I am thinking about returning it to get the typical Saint Simon one, or one with the BVM. A part of me wants to do this because it seems to me that it would be strange to have a Franciscan on a Carmelite sacramental (wish I would have thought of this before I chose). But at the same time, I love Franciscan spirituality as much as Carmelite spirituality. Another part of me is wondering if I should try to find a plain scapular, because that is what the article seems to promote (because when you think about it, the Carmelites don’t have any images on their real scapulars). At the same time, I am a visual person and really enjoy holy images!

I know it is ultimately my decision, but it would be cool to hear everyone’s opinions on scapular images and such. So go ahead and discuss!
 
I just received mine as well this week. My birthday is on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, so it’s particularly special to me.

Mine has the BVM. To me, wearing the scapular is a visible sign (to myself) of my relationship with Christ, through his Mother. I used to try to hide it under my clothes years ago, but now, it stands out 🙂

Blesses!
 
Since you have a special devotion to St Francis, it seems very appropriate to have a scapular with his image on it. You could add a little prayer to him when you say the prayers 🙂

A poster who is not really St Francis 🙂
 
jesusalright4me said:
Hey guys! Could use your opinion on something.

So I just got a brown scapular, and I am super excited to have it blessed and to begin living out some aspects of the Carmelite spirituality (I think I am just going to recite morning and evening prayer).

I read the 2000 address from the Camelites on the scapular here meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis what struck me is how superstitious many regarded the scapular in past times!

Towards the end, the article seems to heavily critique the use of images on the scapular. I myself got mine with St. Francis on it, as I have a particular devotion to him. Now, I am thinking about returning it to get the typical Saint Simon one, or one with the BVM. A part of me wants to do this because it seems to me that it would be strange to have a Franciscan on a Carmelite sacramental (wish I would have thought of this before I chose). But at the same time, I love Franciscan spirituality as much as Carmelite spirituality. Another part of me is wondering if I should try to find a plain scapular, because that is what the article seems to promote (because when you think about it, the Carmelites don’t have any images on their real scapulars). At the same time, I am a visual person and really enjoy holy images!

I know it is ultimately my decision, but it would be cool to hear everyone’s opinions on scapular images and such. So go ahead and discuss!
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I had the great honour of knowing both Father Sam and Father Patrick. I am glad you have had the chance to read their catechesis, for it is well written.

Personally, my own scapular is without any images because it is a miniature version of what is worn by the Friars and the Nuns and the Sisters and the scapular that is part of their habit is without image…but there is nothing inherently wrong with having an image on the small scapular.

I will just add, however, that I remember well the days when the habit of the Franciscan Secular Order included both the cord and a scapular that was brown with the image of Saint Francis.

You might consider attaching a blessed medal of Saint Francis to the cord of your scapular as a way of honoring both spiritualities that evidently enrich you.

I would earnestly encourage you to be invested with the scapular by the priest of deacon of your parish as the rite of investiture, in the Book of Blessings, is rich in significance.
 
There’s no reason not to keep the St. Francis one and also order a second one that is plain or has an image of Mary or something. I think it is helpful to have 2 of them to allow for situations such as one getting wet in a rainstorm or needing to be washed due to getting dirty from wear; then you can put the second one on in the meantime while you are waiting for the first one to dry.
 
Actually it the traditional brown scapualr has no image on it. If you like St. Francis tehn keep it with him on it. What matters most is that you live the holiness that God calls you to live.
By the way, our Pope, a Jesuit, chose “Francis” as his name instead of a more Jesuit one like Ignatius or Canisius.
 
I don’t think it really matters what Christian image you have on your scapular. The scapular is the brown woollen fabric, not the image. There is nothing whatsoever inappropriate with having an image of St Francis on your scapular.
 
Having been drawn to seek out a way to deepen my faith and looking into joining a third order, I sought out the Order of Discalced Carmelites. I attended Mass with the Third Order members once a month and began to pray the Diving Office Morning and Evening Liturgy. In June, I made an application/appeal to be admitted into a period of discernment, something not to be taken lightly. I was admitted and became an official Aspirant. I feel so blessed by the process to receive spiritual direction and learn to incorporate the prayers of the Church more deeply into my daily life. Clothing with the brown scapular is not to be taken lightly or worn frivolously as if in decoration. Pray for a deeper commitment to Christ through His Blessed Mother. Practice the virtues of Charity, Chastity and Obedience.
 
Hey guys! Pretty late but I thought I’d get back to you. I decided to trade in my Saint Francis scapular for the standard one. I was enrolled the following Sunday. Wow what a moment I’ll never forget! I attended Holy Mass at a nearby cloistered Carmelite monastery. It was a High Mass and the nuns Gregorian Chang and polyphony were spot on. Afterwards I was able to catch Monsignor, and he immediately got the Book of Blessings and Enrolled me at the altar rail near a statue of Our Lady holding out the scapular to the faithful.

Ever since I have been drawing closer to Our Lady. It’s only been two weeks and I can see the difference that the reminder of the scapular has made on my prayer life. Thanks for everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut!
 
jesusalright4me said:
Hey guys! Pretty late but I thought I’d get back to you. I decided to trade in my Saint Francis scapular for the standard one. I was enrolled the following Sunday. Wow what a moment I’ll never forget! I attended Holy Mass at a nearby cloistered Carmelite monastery. It was a High Mass and the nuns Gregorian Chang and polyphony were spot on. Afterwards I was able to catch Monsignor, and he immediately got the Book of Blessings and Enrolled me at the altar rail near a statue of Our Lady holding out the scapular to the faithful.

Ever since I have been drawing closer to Our Lady. It’s only been two weeks and I can see the difference that the reminder of the scapular has made on my prayer life. Thanks for everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut!
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I am delighted to read this.

If it was two weeks ago, you must have been invested right at the time of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel…July 16th. The day after, the 17th, is also a special Carmelite feast day.

Thank you for this update.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
I am delighted to read this.

If it was two weeks ago, you must have been invested right at the time of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel…July 16th. The day after, the 17th, is also a special Carmelite feast day.

Thank you for this update.
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I wish! Actually it was only one week ago. Time has been flying by lately, and when I was typing that post my mind must have not have been working properly. Mea culpa.

If I would have been two weeks ago I would have had the chance to attend a Pontifical Solemn High Mass there! Bummer that I couldn’t attend. Regardless they used the Carmelite propers for that day and the priest gave an excellent homily on the readings in relation to Mary as the tabernacle by which Jesus entered the world.
 
BenDavidWest said:
I just got a new one last Tuesday and had it blessed last Wednesday. I already had a blessed one but it was wearing out and was scratchy. I know you should fold it up nicely when you take it off at night, maybe even wrapping the string.
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Why take it off at night?

With the brown scapular, my undetstanding is that it is the person who is blessed when they are enrolled. After that there is no need to bless any further scapulars they may wear. Have you been enrolled? Any priest can do it, I believe.
 
The only thing that matters is that the scapular is brown and made of wool. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be made of wool because Pope St. Pius X allowed people who had been enrolled in the scapular to replace it with a medal with images of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin.

My wool brown scapular has two images just like the medal: the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Mother. The images have now faded because I’ve worn the scapular for many years but they were very prominent when I first bought my scapular.

The most important thing about the Scapular is that it increases your devotion to our Blessed Mother.
 
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