Having some difficulty with accepting the Brown Scapular

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LifeInSunshine

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Hi all! I am currently in the process of converting to Catholicism (previously Protestant) and am having a wonderful time learning Church teachings. Most teachings I am able to prayerfully accept, but the only one that I am seriously confused about is the use of the Brown Scapular. From what I’ve been reading online, the Brown Scapular was given to a member of the Church by Mary, with her promise that she would save its devout wearers from purgatory early.
What bothers/concerns me about the scapular is this: how can we be assured heaven by wearing a garment, albeit a blessed one? I know that the scapular is not supposed to be viewed as a magical object, but how can it not be when we are granted a lessened stay in Purgatory for wearing it?
I really don’t mean to be offensive on the subject, I’m just confused!
Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Sources I’m reading from:
sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapular-information.php
 
I can understand your concern.

God desires to honor His saints and grants special devotionals now and then at different times in history for this purpose and also of course to help humankind gain additional helps and special graces. These are all private revelations that are church approved. No Catholic is however required to follow any of these particular devotions. So if you are uncomfortable with it right now - just don’t worry about it. The sacraments present in the mass (e.g. Eucharist) offer profound grace and are more than sufficient for us as long as we have the personal disciplines to persevere in the faith and are disposed to receive grace. It may be that later after you are Catholic for a time you may again desire to look into the scapular and other devotionals.

The scapular promises are profound - but most laity who desire to follow it do not know that the scapular devotion requires a special carmelite discipline and personal consecration. That discipline requires a lot of daily prayer (the little office of the Liturgy of the Hours) to be assured of all the promises. The scapular in and of itself merits no one anything - it is only an outward sign of the underlying spiritual devotion and discipline.

So you are correct that mere possession of the scapular is not sufficient to gain heaven in and of itself. But the idea here is to engender a deeper spirituality and to help others advance more deeply into Christ so that they may gain special graces that better serve God and His Church. That can only lead to a greater crown in heaven - which is a figurative way of saying to gain a greater spiritual capacity to draw deeper into beatitude with God when one gains heaven.

Hope that helps some.

James
 
LifeInSunshine said:
Hi all! I am currently in the process of converting to Catholicism (previously Protestant) and am having a wonderful time learning Church teachings. Most teachings I am able to prayerfully accept, but the only one that I am seriously confused about is the use of the Brown Scapular. From what I’ve been reading online, the Brown Scapular was given to a member of the Church by Mary, with her promise that she would save its devout wearers from purgatory early.
What bothers/concerns me about the scapular is this: how can we be assured heaven by wearing a garment, albeit a blessed one? I know that the scapular is not supposed to be viewed as a magical object, but how can it not be when we are granted a lessened stay in Purgatory for wearing it?
I really don’t mean to be offensive on the subject, I’m just confused!
Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Sources I’m reading from:
sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapular-information.php
Click to expand...
As a former Protestant like you, there are some Catholic things I don’t take much notice of. Scapulars, Feast Days, and Saints’ Relics are amongst them.

I’m afraid the Brown Scapular strikes me as the Catholic version of the rabbit’s foot, with all due respect. I can see the value in praying to Mary and the Saints, or to be more accurate, asking them to pray on my behalf. In fact, I think Mary is the lady of the hour, as Lourdes, Fatima and Akita make clear, along with other apparitions. When you consider Mary was hardly considered as part of my original Protestant training, then that’s a bit of a change.

I can also see the reason for the incorruptibility of certain saints, as a sign of supernatural grace.

But I find lucky charms to be a bit suspect. I just ignore them.
 
Even though they have been practiced for hundreds of years now, the Brown Scapular devotion comes from private revelation. This is approved revalation, not to be confused with some of the ones you see in the news. However, even with approved private revelations, we are not required to accept the devotion or teaching that comes from the revelation. If the Brown Scapular devotion is hard for you to accept, that’s ok. You may come back to it at another time; maybe not. Don’t worry about it.
 
Corki said:
Even though they have been practiced for hundreds of years now, the Brown Scapular devotion comes from private revelation. This is approved revelation, not to be confused with some of the ones you see in the news. However, even with approved private revelations, we are not required to accept the devotion or teaching that comes from the revelation. If the Brown Scapular devotion is hard for you to accept, that’s ok. You may come back to it at another time; maybe not. Don’t worry about it.
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Good advice.

Like the rosary (and other chaplets), the scapular is not required to be a good Catholic. Some catechists have their own favorite devotions and they are eager to share these with new converts and prospective converts. But this can give the impression to the new person that these devotions are required and commonly practiced.

In fact they are entirely optional and require extra commitments on the part of the participant. As pointed out by CentralFLJames above: “… The scapular in and of itself merits no one anything - it is only an outward sign of the underlying spiritual devotion and discipline.”

Merely putting one on is no guarantee of anything, and promises from private revelations do not carry the weight of a dogmatic teaching of the church. It is OK to doubt the veracity of the promises associated with these devotionals, while equally OK to believe and adopt them.
 
LifeInSunshine said:
Hi all! I am currently in the process of converting to Catholicism (previously Protestant) and am having a wonderful time learning Church teachings. Most teachings I am able to prayerfully accept, but the only one that I am seriously confused about is the use of the Brown Scapular. From what I’ve been reading online, the Brown Scapular was given to a member of the Church by Mary, with her promise that she would save its devout wearers from purgatory early.
What bothers/concerns me about the scapular is this: how can we be assured heaven by wearing a garment, albeit a blessed one? I know that the scapular is not supposed to be viewed as a magical object, but how can it not be when we are granted a lessened stay in Purgatory for wearing it?
I really don’t mean to be offensive on the subject, I’m just confused!
Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Sources I’m reading from:
sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapular-information.php
Click to expand...
LifeinSunshine,
Jesus alone is your salvation. Focus on Him and walk with faith in His love. It is through Him alone that your salvation rests. To become tangled in these other things only puts one in bondage. Beware of anyone or anything that is offered outside of Jesus Christ and which adds anything to your salvation or status after death.

There is comfort in the scriptures in that the plan of salvation is so simple that even a young child can understand it. All of the other things you are hearing about only add confusion. Remember, it’s Christ alone who is your salvation. Repent, believe in Jesus, confessing Him to others and live out your life by faith in Christ.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Mark 1:15
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
 
Thanks for your comments guys! Your answers certainly clarify things a lot. No longer confused! 👍
 
CentralFLJames said:
I can understand your concern.

God desires to honor His saints and grants special devotionals now and then at different times in history for this purpose and also of course to help humankind gain additional helps and special graces. These are all private revelations that are church approved. No Catholic is however required to follow any of these particular devotions. So if you are uncomfortable with it right now - just don’t worry about it. The sacraments present in the mass (e.g. Eucharist) offer profound grace and are more than sufficient for us as long as we have the personal disciplines to persevere in the faith and are disposed to receive grace. It may be that later after you are Catholic for a time you may again desire to look into the scapular and other devotionals.

The scapular promises are profound - but most laity who desire to follow it do not know that the scapular devotion requires a special carmelite discipline and personal consecration. That discipline requires a lot of daily prayer (the little office of the Liturgy of the Hours) to be assured of all the promises. The scapular in and of itself merits no one anything - it is only an outward sign of the underlying spiritual devotion and discipline.

So you are correct that mere possession of the scapular is not sufficient to gain heaven in and of itself. But the idea here is to engender a deeper spirituality and to help others advance more deeply into Christ so that they may gain special graces that better serve God and His Church. That can only lead to a greater crown in heaven - which is a figurative way of saying to gain a greater spiritual capacity to draw deeper into beatitude with God when one gains heaven.

Hope that helps some.

James
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Just for clarification, once a person is invested into the[brown scapular} carmelite confraternity, any priest can allow {dispense] some other pious prayer instead of the daily Little Office. In my case, the priest who invested me allowed the recitation of the rosary instead.
 
…Also I cannot recommend that particular source you mentioned (Sisters of Carmel) for last time I called the Diocese they were NOT in communion with the Catholic Church.

I just put a call in with the Bishop’s assistant and will let you know if something is different once they get back to me.
 
The point of the Brown Scapular is not so much wearing it, as wearing a constant reminder of service to God.

A scapular is a yoke. You bear it on your shoulders. Because it’s Christ’s, it can seem easy and light – but you have to choose to submit to it. While you wear it, you are at work for Him. That’s what it means.
 
LifeInSunshine said:
Hi all! I am currently in the process of converting to Catholicism (previously Protestant) and am having a wonderful time learning Church teachings. Most teachings I am able to prayerfully accept, but the only one that I am seriously confused about is the use of the Brown Scapular. From what I’ve been reading online, the Brown Scapular was given to a member of the Church by Mary, with her promise that she would save its devout wearers from purgatory early.
What bothers/concerns me about the scapular is this: how can we be assured heaven by wearing a garment, albeit a blessed one? I know that the scapular is not supposed to be viewed as a magical object, but how can it not be when we are granted a lessened stay in Purgatory for wearing it?
I really don’t mean to be offensive on the subject, I’m just confused!
Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Sources I’m reading from:
sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapular-information.php
Click to expand...
First thing is the Scapular is a PERSONAL DEVOTION, it is not something that must be accepted or practiced. (I wear one) What this devotion does is give you something to help you keep your life focused on Eternal life, following Christ. Remember that Mary is always presenting Christ to us.
 
(Edited)

Never think salvation comes from anywhere but Christ. And never think Christ cannot use people to bring others to salvation. In this way, God has ordained that we receive Christ through his mother Mary, as it was at the Incarnation. Still today, God wills that we may receive Jesus through Mary, the Mediatrix. This in no way detracts from the sole mediatorship of Christ, but is instead an example of God’s utilizing a human person to bring his grace to the world. Basically, Jesus gives Mary the grace and she spreads it over all of humanity. That salvation comes from no one else but Christ.

Similarly, the scapular is a sign of the salvation that can be offered by Christ through the mediation of Mary. Don’t get stuck on words like “mediation.” If I defend my friend to the school principal, I’m simply “mediating.” I am not the source of my friend’s innocence, he is (was that a really terrible example?). But Christ’s sole mediation is unique because he is both God and man. No one else could bring the grace of God to mankind, which he did by his sacrifice.

Perhaps I am getting off track, but I would encourage anyone to wear a scapular. Yes, we are indeed correct when we say that the scapular is not necessary and can be licitly ignored, but I feel it is a wonderful symbol of God’s grace. It reminds us to pray and lead lives of holiness. That is the purpose of the scapular. It is not a “good luck charm.” You would be right to think it absurd that wearing a piece of cloth would bring you salvation. It will not. It is the holiness with which you live your life, in part as an effect of remembering your scapular, that God will look with favor upon you, granting you the grace of salvation.

So, yes. Those who wear the brown scapular faithfully (i.e. live holy lives without dying in unrepentant mortal sin) will not suffer the fires of Hell.
 
Mintaka said:
Because it’s Christ’s, it can seem easy and light – but you have to choose to submit to it. .
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…"choose to submit to it."

That is where I see one danger…submit to “it” The focus becomes on “it” instead of “Him” (Jesus Christ).
 
coda said:
Just for clarification, once a person is invested into the[brown scapular} carmelite confraternity, any priest can allow {dispense] some other pious prayer instead of the daily Little Office. In my case, the priest who invested me allowed the recitation of the rosary instead.
Click to expand...
This is true. But it is also true that if one has a local parish in the area with an installed lay 3rd order Carmelite community (either Discalced or the original O.CARM) needs to be a member of that community when enrolling in the scapular devotion. To become a tertiary lay Carmelite takes 7 years of dedicated spiritual community formation and study and prayer. BTW - Carmelites are especially well suited to the laity since even a lay member is considered an “Equal” to to ordained Carmelite or Religious brothers/sister Carmelites. They have their own bishop in Rome who oversees the entire organization and for this reason some parish priests are sometimes apprehensive about permitting a lay Carmelites to be established in their parishes since they are concerned that these will bypass them and go to their order’s bishop - but its an unfounded concern since Carmelites take an oath of obedience. Further, the PERSON is himself sanctified in taking on Carmelite Spirituality. So if a scapular (the normal scapular is much larger and worn outside the garments when in community or community masses) is lost or worn out the replacement scapular does not need to be re-blessed since it is imparted by the Carmelite individual himself who wears it. A person conforming to full Carmelite Spirituality and disciplines is quite a holy person and can be expected to gain a high heavenly reward. This community has put out a LOT of saints for its relatively small size - in fact 2 of the only 3 female Doctors of The Church (SAINT THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX & SAINT TERESA OF AVILA) and another Doctor of The Church - St. John of the Cross.

The Brown Scapular promises are really an invitation to enter into Carmelite Spirituality. More and more lay members are finding 3rd order lay memberships to be a great way to draw deeper into the consecrated life. It would be inconceivable for a practising Lay Carmelite to not gain heaven - since its Catholicism on steroids. 😃 These are the people one wants to ask to perform their plenary indulgences for decease family members since these often have the spiritual wherewithal to have no attachment to any sin and actually gain the full plenary and not fall short. 😉

James
 
Fair_Lady said:
…"choose to submit to it."

That is where I see one danger…submit to “it” The focus becomes on “it” instead of “Him” (Jesus Christ).
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When something is of Jesus, like the Catholic Church is, then “submitting” to whatever “it” is is like submitting to Christ himself. The Brown Scapular is optional and the devotion itself brings you closer to God, and is approved by the Church that Jesus founded, which is how we know it is of Jesus. Submitting to the Catholic Church is not optional, but “submitting” (or rather, ascenting) to the devotional of the Brown Scapular, is optional.

If Jesus gives you something like the Catholic Church and then says “whoever listens to you, listens to me, and whoever rejects you, rejects me” (Luke 10:16) then you have to submit to it. But no such command exists for the Brown Scapular. And believing anyone who rejects the Church or their suggestion that a devotion approved by the Church is unreasonable, is itself unreasonable.

There is a lot of peace in submission to true authority, there is freedom to not have the need to understand everything, and also the freedom to pursue understanding knowing that you will find it. The Church was created so that all people, learned or not, could ascent to that saving faith without needing to understand. That is the true freedom you will only find within the pillar and foundation of Truth, the Catholic Church.
 
abenassi said:
When something is of Jesus, like the Catholic Church is, then “submitting” to whatever “it” is is like submitting to Christ himself.
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The brown scapular is not of Jesus. According to Fr. James MGilloway at cmri.org/05-brownscap.html the brown scapular is of an apparition of Mary who appeared to Simon Stock in 1251. Had the scapular been of Jesus, it would be for everyone, because what is of Jesus is for every believer in Him.

When we die, whether or not we are wearing a brown scapular will not be of any consequence. What matters is what is in the heart. God sees our hearts and He knows whether or not our names are written in the Book of Life. Whose names are written in the Book of Life? Some key verses of scripture:

Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Acts 15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
John 1:11-13 (King James Version)

John 1:12,13

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And last but not least:

Colossians 1:21 - 23
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[f] your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Now, that is freedom in Christ!!!
 
Fair Lady: Only the Catholic Church has the power to bind and loose. This Apparition of Mary to Simon Stock has been found to be authentic by the Church, and that is that is complies with the fullness of the truth taught by the Catholic Church. Thus the Church proclaims it worthy of devotion, and so we can believe.

Mary is the Mother of God and resides Body and Soul in heaven. Regardless of what you personally believe, Jesus allows Mary to visit us on Earth, to give us consolations, to help us grow in love for Jesus. The practice of the devotion associated with the Brown Scapular only helps us grow in devotion to Jesus.

The verses you quoted are all true, and consider this, that not everything Jesus taught the apostles is recorded in the Bible. So whenever you see words like “believe the gospel” know that the one and only true gospel is the one taught by the Catholic Church, which takes into account the entire deposit of faith, recorded in the Bible or not. Protestant-like beliefs (like Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide) were unknown to all of the world until they were introduced by men in the 16th century.

The belief in grace flowing through sacraments and sacramentals (like the brown scapular), however, has existed since the time of Christ. Here is one biblical example of a sacramental where, with the faith of the individual using it, grace flowed from God, through Paul, through the garment, to cure the sick and exorcise demons.
Acts 19
11 So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul
12 that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
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I really invite you to explore the writings of the early Church. These people were there, they taught the true faith and handed it on, and so on. All of them were distinctly Catholic; not a one of them believed anything similar to what typical protestant churches believe, but rather they all believed in the sacraments and the flow of grace through the communion of saints. Or maybe I’m lying, so look it up for yourself.
 
abenassi: Let’s not make any comparisons between the miraculous healings of God in Paul’s day with the institution of the wearing of a garment for the purpose of obtaining Mary’s aid for salvation at death. They are miles and miles apart, so I won’t take the time to delve into that.

Here’s another huge difficulty that I have with the brown scapular. According to the article I posted earlier by Fr. McGilloway, it states *“First of all, if a Catholic chooses to wear the Brown Scapular, day in and day out, it should be an outward sign of his or her trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary.” *

That in itself brings out the red flag. Who are we suppose to trust for every detail of our salvation? Jesus Christ alone, who died on the cross to pay for our penalty for our sins. To wear something as a sign of trust for someone other than Christ for any part of salvation undermines Him. The brown scapular is an attempt by someone (I believe it to be Satan) to take away our focus from Christ and put it on Mary, who is powerless in our salvation.

Have you ever considered that the church may not be infallible in its doctrines/dogmas/traditions?
 
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