The following is taken from
thebrownscapular.com/english/enrolled.html
The implications of being enrolled in the Brown Scapular are so significant it would be wise to first understand the rigorous commitment we’re taking on.
It is clear that the scapular is one of the great treasures of the Carmelite Family. Since the Scapular itself is only a symbol, it would be inappropriate to become enrolled in it without careful understanding of what we are receiving. In particular we should nurture a relationship with Mary if we are to expect any favour from her. If we are to be clothed in Mary’s habit, we should strive to be clothed also in her virtues. If the words generosity, restraint, chastity, humility, patience, meekness, love etc are meaningful to us, if they invoke a desire to put into action what they imply, then the Brown Scapular pledge will be a most sweet burden to carry. Simply wearing the Scapular is not that difficult; it’s worn under one’s clothes, it doesn’t tangle easily and it feels soft against the skin, after a while one doesn’t even know that it is on. But it takes courage and perseverance to wear it devoutly because there is no sudden leap to holiness; our success lies in day-by-day faithfulness to Christ.
Enrollment in the Scapular brings us into the order of Carmel to share its good things and to participate in its spiritual treasures of Masses, prayers and good works.
When the story of our salvation is made known, perhaps it will be found that we have been granted the grace of a happy death through the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Carmel. Father Schultz, C.SS.R. said, “Why those who wear the Scapular will save their souls, is because they will never be without the help of prayer.”
The Scapular should be a constant reminder of the obligations we have taken upon ourselves. Its wearer is doubly clothed; for at Baptism he is clothed with a white robe of baptismal innocence which he is commanded to carry unspotted to the white Throne of God, and at the time of his enrollment in the Scapular he receives the brown robe of Mary which reminds him of his obligation to clothe himself with the virtues of the Blessed Mother.
If Christ, said St. Bernard, is our garment, He should be visible in our person. And if Mary is our garment, she too should be visible in our person and we should reveal our virtues in our everyday conduct. No one should ever see the Scapular without seeing something of Our Lady in the wearer. The holy life should always bear the good fruit of love, charity, kindness, meekness, gentleness and prayerfulness; it should be the bearer of Christ to others.
The Brown Scapular however is not endowed with some kind of supernatural power which will save us no matter what we do or how much we sin. Mary promises to take us out of purgatory soon after death in return for our promise to live a virtuous life, nothing short of that will suffice. We might apply here what St. Alphonsus says about the devotion to Mary in general:
“When we declare that it is impossible for a servant of Mary to be lost, we do not mean those who by their devotion to Mary think themselves warranted to sin freely. We state that these reckless people, because of their presumption, deserve to be treated with rigour and not with kindness. We speak here of servants of Mary who, to the fidelity with which they honour and invoke her, join the desire to amend their lives. I hold it morally impossible that these be lost.”
The true devotion to Mary will also show itself in love for the Eucharist and the sure instinct of Carmel has always recognized this. The Rule recommends commitment to spiritual routines and the practice of works of Mercy.
If you are ready to give yourself to God just as He is ready to accept you just as you are, then the Brown Scapular is for you. It is the life that we live day in and day out that glorifies Him and our love for Him should be so great that it cannot be expressed any other way. If we offer our life as it is to God, His holiness is sure to invade it.
One final note, if there are doubts about your desire to surrender to Christ through the Brown Scapular, pray and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. our commitment is not something to be rushed and since it has been around for 750 years, it will be here for you when you are ready.
To be eligible for the Promise, one must be validly enrolled in the Confraternity by a priest. The first Scapular worn should be blessed; a simple blessing from the ‘Book of Blessings’ or a formula for enrolment may be used. Subsequent Scapulars do not have to be blessed (the blessing transfers). Once the person has been enrolled they automatically become members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or The Scapular Confraternity.
