Scapular and Little Office

[DavidJoseph]

I understand that one of the conditions for the scapular’s Sabbatine privilege is praying the Little Office of Our Lady (or fasting / abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays or, with permission from a priest, praying the rosary). My question is, if you choose to pray the Little Office, how much of it would you need to say? All the hours? Or only 1 or 2? Thanks in advance.

 

[PopePiusXIISupp]

All hours. The fasting/abstinence would still be required.

Some might say it is not approved or anything, but most priest that I have heard say it is a valid promise.

 

[porthos11]

I understand that one of the conditions for the scapular’s Sabbatine privilege is praying the Little Office of Our Lady (or fasting / abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays or, with permission from a priest, praying the rosary). My question is, if you choose to pray the Little Office, how much of it would you need to say? All the hours? Or only 1 or 2? Thanks in advance.

The current, official catechesis on the Brown Scapular is this: meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis

This was prepared by both branches of the Carmelite family and is the authoritative catechesis on how we should regard the Brown Scapular. The Brown Scapular is first of all, a Carmelite sacramental, and the Carmelites’ word carries the day.

The Little Office is no longer a requirement, and neither is commutation by a priest. What is asked for, is a practice to some degree of Carmelite spirituality. This includes (as per the text), but is not limited to:

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.

Right below that is the official Carmelite stance on the Sabbatine Privilege (in short: it is historically unfounded).

I would suggest wearing the Scapular not for the purpose of obtaining some spurious promise or privilege, but in the spirit of what the Carmelites want, in light of their catechesis: a sharing in the spiritual goods of the family of Carmel and entrusting ourselves to the constant maternal care of our blessed Lady.

 

[DavidJoseph]

All hours. The fasting/abstinence would still be required.

Actually, the 2nd part of your statement is not correct.

According to this article abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays may be substituted for the Little Office; it’s not a requirement to be done in addition to the Little Office. The relevant statement says:

In order to gain the privilege one must (1) wear the Scapular or the Scapular Medal; (2) observe chastity according to one’s state in life; (3) recite daily the Little Office of Our Lady, or if one does not know how to recite it, abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 

[DavidJoseph]

Right below that is the official Carmelite stance on the Sabbatine Privilege (in short: it is historically unfounded).

Oh, I realize that the alleged original private revelation that gave rise to the Sabbatine Privilege (the notion that Our Lady will free scapular wearers who faithfully fulfilled the other requirements on the first Saturday after their death) is apocryphal. But I do know that Catholics aren’t forbidden to believe it either.

 

[drforjc]

Oh, I realize that the alleged original private revelation that gave rise to the Sabbatine Privilege (the notion that Our Lady will free scapular wearers who faithfully fulfilled the other requirements on the first Saturday after their death) is apocryphal. But I do know that Catholics aren’t forbidden to believe it either.

But those rules are no longer in effect whether you believe in the Sabbatine Privilege or not. The current discipline for the Brown Scapular is what Porthos11 provided.

 

[asia53]

The Sabattine Privilege was debunked in 1613. The Carmelites were told to stop promoting it.

From the Scapular Cathesis, link provided by porthos11. This is the official stance of the Carmelite Order 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.