Private revelations - and circulating such

[sr.christinaosf]

I know we are not supposed to spread alleged revelations before they are approved, or those that are not approved…so, what about legends and long-standing private revelations with devotions attached to them (the devotions having been approved)? I am here getting at the (Carmelite) brown scapular. The practice of wearing the scapular has been endorsed by the Church, but I do not believe that the reported vision to St. Simon Stock with its promise has been.
Is it permissible, as far as Church law/dictate is concerned, to share this legendary/supposed “private revelation”?
Thank you.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think it would be best to follow the Carmelite’s official catechesis on this, which discusses the alleged appearance to St. Simon and explains quite fully that there is not a good historical basis for thinking St. Simon saw this vision, due to a lack of contemporary evidence that he said anything about it at the time.

https://www.meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis

You could share the catechesis and explain the story of the appearance as being a “pious legend” without a good basis in fact, but also say that it doesn’t really matter since the devotion is approved and we have faith in our Lady and that is what matters.

It’s sort of like the similar old legend about the Blessed Virgin appearing to St. Dominic and giving him the rosary, when really the rosary seems to have evolved as an easier way for lay people to make a prayer similar to the monks’ recitation of all the psalms.

 

[sr.christinaosf]

The issue here was an article about St. Simon Stock as the “Saint for the Month” in our little newsletter.

 

[End_Timer]

Like Napoleon said, “What is history but a fable agreed upon.”

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Did someone complain?

One thing about this is that many of the scapulars that are sold, or not even sold but distributed for free by the Carmelite order, including the one I have on, have a picture right on them of St. Simon getting the Scapular from the Blessed Virgin, with the other piece of cloth having one of Our Lady’s alleged promises regarding the Scapular. This is a traditional design for the Scapular; it is not required that the two pictures (or any pictures) be on there but many, many Scapulars still have them.

So it’s a bit hard to argue that one should not talk about this legendary revelation, when the priest investing people is handing them all a scapular with a depiction of it right on the Scapulars.

 

[sr.christinaosf]

No one complained - I am just in the process of printing - the article was submitted by one of our writers. I just want to be respectful of what I should be doing here…yes, the scapular is an approved devotion, but any particular vision regarding it may not be so.