Confraternity of the brown scapular?

[Aeden]

So I have a friend who is a member of the confraternity of the brown scapular and he suggested that I might want to join, but I’m not entirely clear on what the requirements of the confraternity are. I’ve heard that it is the daily rosary, or the little hours of our lady, or fasting and abstaining from meat on days set by the church that aren’t mandatory, etc. If anybody could enlighten me, I’d appreciate it because I’d like to join, but if I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of commitment, it would be a mistake.

 

[Avila123]

So I have a friend who is a member of the confraternity of the brown scapular and he suggested that I might want to join, but I’m not entirely clear on what the requirements of the confraternity are. I’ve heard that it is the daily rosary, or the little hours of our lady, or fasting and abstaining from meat on days set by the church that aren’t mandatory, etc. If anybody could enlighten me, I’d appreciate it because I’d like to join, but if I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of commitment, it would be a mistake.

Why not simply tell your friend what you posted and ask for further details? I had a look online but there are slight differences in the explanations and it is probably is best to look at it thoroughly by starting with talking to someone first (without commitment, of course).

 

[Aeden]

He said it was just a daily rosary or the other prayer I mentioned, which is a prayer set in the style of the liturgy of the hours but is devoted to Mary. I was more wondering about the last one, to be honest, concerning what it constitutes, you know.

 

[jrecortel]

As a member of the confraternity, we must practice Carmelite spirituality such as:

1. 
   *]frequent participation in the Mass and reception of Holy Communion;
   *]frequent reading of and meditation on the Word of God in Sacred Scripture;
   *]the regular praying of at least part of the Liturgy of the Hours;
   *]imitation of and devotion to Mary, the woman of faith who hears the Word of God and puts it into practice;
   *]the practice of the virtues, notably charity, chastity (according to one’s state of life), and obedience to the will of God.
   
   From carmelitanacollection.com/catechesis.html

 

[Ed_Silvia]

I was joined to the confraternity when I made my First Holy Communion in the second grade at a time when devotion to St Mary was prevellaint. Later on when I learned of Fatima and Our Heavenly Father’s request for increase devotion to Our Lady I began wearing it full time.

Basically its an outward sign of consecration to St Mary. There are a few versions. Mine goes like:
You promise to St Mary

1. in prayer, to make a morning offering to God of your daily duties in union with the Sorrowful & Immaculate Heart of St Mary (there is a formal prayer)
2. say daily rosary (5 decades normally)
3. wear the brown scapular, as an outward sign of this promise & as an act of consecration to St Mary
4. renew the promise often especially in moments of temptation.

I’ve heard people say they are afraid they may not be able to meet the commitment which is truly sad when I know St Mary is a loving and forgiving Mother not a cruel task master.

 

[ohsnapitslennon]

I have a question:

Do I have to be enrolled in this to receive the promise Our Lady made to Pope John XXII…and is there something more than a blessing I need on it (I recall there being a specific prayer with responses…not sure)??

Thanks,

 

[Aeden]

I’ve heard people say they are afraid they may not be able to meet the commitment which is truly sad when I know St Mary is a loving and forgiving Mother not a cruel task master.

It’s not so much out of fear of Mary and God as it is as desire to not make a promise, or indeed, a vow that you can’t keep. It would strike me as something sinful to join a confraternity knowing you wouldn’t be able to do what you promised to do.

 

[jrecortel]

You can read in the link that I posted that the Sabbatine Privilege was unfounded. It states that

“…the wearing of the Brown Scapular would be meaningless without the wearers living and dying in the state of grace, observing chastity according to their state in life, and living a life of prayer and penitence.”

Here is the procedure for the blessing and investiture of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel:
ewtn.com/library/prayer/brwnscap.txt