Question about the Brown Scapular

[codefro]

For one to join into the spiritual benefits of the brown scapular, is it a MUST that one abstain on Wednesdays and Saturdays? I am just curious because I have a fascination with the brown scapular, but I abstain from meat on Fridays, and to add Wednesday and Saturday would add a lot. So just inquiring.

 

[R_C]

I think you refer to the “Sabbatine privilege”, which is a special promise, one of many spiritual benefits.

From this website:

The Sabbatine Privilege is a special promise extended to all who wear the scapular and are enrolled in the scapular.

The privilege was approved by Pope John XXII, and was later confirmed by Pope Gregory XIII, Pope Clement VII, and Pope St. Pius V.

The privilege states that those souls who keep the necessary requirements of the privilege will be released from purgatory by Our Lady the Saturday after they die.

The requirements are: 1.The scapular must be worn and the wearer must be enrolled in the scapular. 2. Chastity to one’s state in life must be observed. 3. One must fast from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 4. You must recite the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin or the rosary everyday.

This “Ask an Apologist” post may help.

However, as far as I know, the spirituality of the Scapular does not carry an obligation to abstain from meat on Wednesday and Saturday. Let’s wait to hopefully hear from someone who knows the exact answer

 

[cornbread_r2]

For one to join into the spiritual benefits of the brown scapular, is it a MUST that one abstain on Wednesdays and Saturdays? I am just curious because I have a fascination with the brown scapular, but I abstain from meat on Fridays, and to add Wednesday and Saturday would add a lot. So just inquiring.

You might find this article helpful.

 

[Richca]

For one to join into the spiritual benefits of the brown scapular, is it a MUST that one abstain on Wednesdays and Saturdays? I am just curious because I have a fascination with the brown scapular, but I abstain from meat on Fridays, and to add Wednesday and Saturday would add a lot. So just inquiring.

You do not have to abstain from meat on any days except the days prescribed by the Church during the season of Lent to join in the spiritual benefits of the brown scapular. The following are some helpful links about the brown scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Catechisis on the brown scapular prepared by the Carmelite Order in 2000:
carmelitanacollection.com/catechesis.php

Ritual for blessing and enrollment in the brown scapular:
carmelitanacollection.com/rite.php

Doctrinal Statement on the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as issued and confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and for the Discipline of the Sacraments, November 29, 1996.
webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/korvesem/carmel/doctrinalstatement.html&date=2009-10-26+01:29:35

 

[Monica4316]

For those who say that Our Lady never appeared to St Simon Stock… this link (at the bottom) provides a possible explanation for this claim and tries to refute it: freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_history.html so just something to consider

I was told that you need to wear the scapular, be enrolled (I was also told that to be enrolled in the scapular any priest can do that, to be in the confraternity, it needs to be a Carmelite priest?)… also you need to live chastely, pray the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin OR the Rosary with the permission of your priest. I’m not sure if the fasting is one of these requirements that could be changed for the Rosary, or if it’s something additional, (maybe ask a priest who knows?) it’s still a good idea to to anyways though I know the Eastern Catholics fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I think you refer to the “Sabbatine privilege”, which is a special promise, one of many spiritual benefits.

It has been proven that the “Sabbatine privilege” is not a true thing. The Carmelites were enjoined by the Pope from teaching this.

We are free to believe that Our Lady will aid those who wear the brown scapular but we may not say that the Church teaches this.

As for the requirements of those who wear the brown scapular, they are as follows.

• 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.

Here is a link that covers that and the alleged “Sabbatine privilege”.

A Catechesis on the Brown Scapular

There is no requirement for fasting or abstinence.

 

[Richca]

It has been proven that the “Sabbatine privilege” is not a true thing. The Carmelites were enjoined by the Pope from teaching this.

We are free to believe that Our Lady will aid those who wear the brown scapular but we may not say that the Church teaches this.

As for the requirements of those who wear the brown scapular, they are as follows.

• 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.

Here is a link that covers that and the alleged “Sabbatine privilege”.

A Catechesis on the Brown Scapular

There is no requirement for fasting or abstinence.

Hello Friar David,
I do not believe the regular praying of at least a part of the Liturgy of the Hours is a requirement. The doctrinal section of The Rite of Blessing of and Enrollment in the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel" as issued and confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and for the Discipline of the Sacraments, November 29, 1996, says this:

Thus, becoming part of the fraternity of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and receiving the scapular as a sign of such membership, is for the faithful an instrument of Christian life with special characteristics:
(c) To imitate the “praying Virgin” who “kept the word of God in her heart” (cf. Lk 2:19,51), setting aside some time to meet God in prayer, meditating on the mysteries of salvation, taking part in faith in the liturgy of the Church, especially the Eucharist, **reciting every day some liturgical hour or some psalms or the holy rosary. ** To see to it that living in the presence of the living God, every aspect of life becomes prayer and that prayer becomes life, at the same time remembering the obligations and work of their state of life.

And again here:

Appendix: Practical Norms for the Scapular Confraternity
Members are bound to set aside regularly time to be with God in prayer, frequent participation in the Eucharist, daily recitation of one of the hours of the liturgy or of some psalms or the rosary or other equivalent prayers.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Hello Friar David,
I do not believe the regular praying of at least a part of the Liturgy of the Hours is a requirement. The doctrinal section of The Rite of Blessing of and Enrollment in the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel" as issued and confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and for the Discipline of the Sacraments, November 29, 1996, says this:

Thus, becoming part of the fraternity of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and receiving the scapular as a sign of such membership, is for the faithful an instrument of Christian life with special characteristics:
(c) To imitate the “praying Virgin” who “kept the word of God in her heart” (cf. Lk 2:19,51), setting aside some time to meet God in prayer, meditating on the mysteries of salvation, taking part in faith in the liturgy of the Church, especially the Eucharist, **reciting every day some liturgical hour or some psalms or the holy rosary. ** To see to it that living in the presence of the living God, every aspect of life becomes prayer and that prayer becomes life, at the same time remembering the obligations and work of their state of life.

And again here:

Appendix: Practical Norms for the Scapular Confraternity
Members are bound to set aside regularly time to be with God in prayer, frequent participation in the Eucharist, daily recitation of one of the hours of the liturgy or of some psalms or the rosary or other equivalent prayers.

I am going by what we Carmelites have in our Catechisis on the Brown Scapular and seeing that the Brown Scapular is Carmelite I choose to err on our side.

When asked I give the information that I have given.

If others choose to do differently then they may do so.

 

[thomas_jd]

I am going by what we Carmelites have in our Catechisis on the Brown Scapular and seeing that the Brown Scapular is Carmelite I choose to err on our side.

When asked I give the information that I have given.

If others choose to do differently then they may do so.

If memory serves me right the Sabbatine privilege is based on a “lost Bull” and that cannot be proven not to exist. My data is from a while ago and the Catechisis may have been changed.
Either way if one lives a life according to Our Ladys instructions be assured she will bring you to Heaven as soon as possible!

 

[Alfonsus]

If memory serves me right the Sabbatine privilege is based on a “lost Bull” and that cannot be proven not to exist. My data is from a while ago and the Catechisis may have been changed.
Either way if one lives a life according to Our Ladys instructions be assured she will bring you to Heaven as soon as possible!

If something is “lost” then we cannot prove its non-existence or existence.
What can be proved is that the Holy See asked the Carmelites to ceased propagating the “sabbatine privilege” story. Too bad the Order not really take the message to heart at that time.
This is a snippet from the Catechesis on the Brown Scapular:

What is the official status of the Sabbatine Privilege?
Historical research has shown that the alleged fourteenth-century appearance of the Blessed Mother to Pope John XXII is without historical foundation. As a matter of fact, in the year 1613 the Holy See determined that the decree establishing the “Sabbatine Privilege” was unfounded and the Church admonished the Carmelite Order not to preach this doctrine. Unfortunately, the Order did not always comply with this directive of the Holy See.
At the time the Carmelites were instructed to stop mentioning the “Sabbatine Privilege” the Holy See acknowledged that the faithful may devoutly believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary by her continuous intercession, merciful prayers, merits, and special protection will assist the souls of deceased brothers and sisters and members of the confraternity, especially on Saturday, the day which the church dedicates to the Blessed Virgin.
Consistent with the Catholic tradition, such favors associated with 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. The promises traditionally tied to the scapular offer us what the Second Vatican Council says about the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “By her maternal love, Mary cares for the brothers and sisters of her Son, who still make their earthly journey surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led to their happy fatherland.”