Wearing the Scapular Saves?

[The_Catholic]

Please provide an answer, for I cannot think of any. And I’m sure when my good Protestant friend sees me wearing yet another “Catholic Charm” it’ll raise eyebrows

So, why does one wearing the Scapular of our Lady of Mt. Carmel say “Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire?” What does it mean? Surely not simply what it says right? In other words, were one to simply put it on, someone who is a mocker and blasphemer, would that automatically mean they will be saved?

I can understand the intentions of one’s heart, that they ackowledge the Truth of the Church, and trusts in the promises of Christ, and His Mother. But, obviously the Scapular is called for specific attention.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Please provide an answer, for I cannot think of any. And I’m sure when my good Protestant friend sees me wearing yet another “Catholic Charm” it’ll raise eyebrows

So, why does one wearing the Scapular of our Lady of Mt. Carmel say “Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire?” What does it mean? Surely not simply what it says right? In other words, were one to simply put it on, someone who is a mocker and blasphemer, would that automatically mean they will be saved?

I can understand the intentions of one’s heart, that they ackowledge the Truth of the Church, and trusts in the promises of Christ, and His Mother. But, obviously the Scapular is called for specific attention.

Mine is a constant reminder to me to pay attention to how I’m living my life, what I’m doing and saying, it reminds me of my promises and professions to both God and the Church. Does a smoke alarm “save lives”? Of course not! It’s a piece of plactic that hangs from the ceiling. But what it does can cause someone to save their own life. If someone puts on the scapular and continues to live as a “mocker and blasphemer”, believe me they will not die wearing the sacpular.

 

[The_Catholic]

Mine is a constant reminder to me to pay attention to how I’m living my life, what I’m doing and saying, it reminds me of my promises and professions to both God and the Church. Does a smoke alarm “save lives”? Of course not! It’s a piece of plactic that hangs from the ceiling. But what it does can cause someone to save their own life. If someone puts on the scapular and continues to live as a “mocker and blasphemer”, believe me they will not die wearing the sacpular.

Excellent answer, thanks brother!

 

[duckbill]

Excellent answer, thanks brother!

Here is a small booklet that should answer all your questions:
acts1.info/e_books/GARMENT%20OF%20GRACE.pdf
Vatican Approval
In wearing the Scapular at all times we make silent petition for the Blessed Mother’s continual assistance. We share in all the prayers and good works of the Carmelite Scapular Confraternity throughout the world. Pope Pius XII often spoke of the Scapular. On the 700th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock,** Pope Pius XII referred to the Scapular as “the Sign of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. **The Scapular also represents the sweet yoke of Jesus Christ which Mary helps us to bear. And finally, the Pope continued, the Scapular marks us as one of Mary’s chosen children, and becomes for us (as the Germans call it) a “Garment of Grace”. Blessed Claude tells us, “Of all the pious practices which have inspired the faithful to honor the Mother of God, there is none so sure as that of the Scapular. No other devotion has been confirmed by so many and such extraordinary miracles.”

As we mentioned above, during the Scapular Anniversary celebration in Rome in 1951, Pope Pius XII told a very large audience to wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady asked for this consecration in the last apparition at Fatima, when She appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, holding the Brown Scapular out to the whole world. It was Her last moving appeal to souls to wear Her Scapular as a sign of consecration to Her Immaculate Heart.

**St. Claude de La Colombiere, **
the renowned Jesuit and spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary, gives a point which is enlightening. He said, “Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin and all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to Her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to reach Heaven, I say, without a moment’s hesitation, that the BROWN SCAPULAR IS THE MOST FAVORED OF ALL!” He also adds, “No devotion has been confirmed by more numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular.”

Blessed Claude gives us the solution to the mystery of the missing Scapular: ‘You ask, ‘What if I desire to die in my sins?’ I answer, ‘Then you will die in your sins, BUT YOU WILL NOT DIE IN YOUR SCAPULAR.’ “ Blessed Claude tells the story of a man who tried to drown himself three times. He was rescued against his will. At last he realized that he was wearing his Scapular. Determined to take his life, he tore the Scapular from his neck and leaped into the water. Without Mary’s protective garment he accomplished his wish, and died in his sins.
Further Miracles.

(Some have in pure speculation thought that St. Joseph was a Carmelite [remember they were started by Elijah] and was the first to be consecrated to the Blessed Mother and is usually dressed in Brown and patron of a happy death.)

 

[nice2000]

Wearing the Brown Scapular goes along with praying the Rosary daily and practicing the five first Saturdays. You can not do one with the other. I have read some where that by wearing the Brown Scapular makes it easier to pray and meditate on the rosary. I am a witness that by wearing the Brown Scapular along with praying the Rosary and attempting to practice the five first Saturdays helps tremoundously in one’s life.

 

[nice2000]

I meant to type in my previous post. “You should not do one without the other.” all three (wearing of the Brown scapuler, praying the Rosary and five first Saturdays) work together.

 

[adam_in_ohio]

It’s involved with private revelation.

 

[duckbill]

It’s involved with private revelation.

Of course it is private revelation. Does that make it wrong?

But it goes against no dogma and the pius (ie saints and holy Popes ) say it is a good thing. This is part of the fun of being Catholic. Some CA supporters are becoming a little too fundamentalish, we don’t put private revelation above the teachings of the Church, but there is no contradiction either. God gives private revelation to us to become better Catholics not because they are a necessity of means, in themselves, but God seems to think, they “necessary” to spark and inspire hope and Faith in some people.

I see no reason to doubt that BV Mary won’t keep Her promise or God would allow this devotion to deceive people. Especially a devotion supported by such a long tradition ( small “t”) of saints and Popes.

 

[JMJ_coder]

This is from the official “The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Catechesis and Ritual”:

The Brown Scapular is not:

a. a magical charm to protect you;
b. an automatic guarantee of salvation;
c. an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life.

The Brown Scapular:
a. is a sign which has been approved by the church for over seven centuries;
b. stands for the decision to follow Jesus like Mary:

1) open to God and his will;
2) guided by faith, hope and love;
3) close to needs of people;
4) praying at all times;
5) discovering God present in all that happens around us.​

The Brown Scapular introduces people into the Family of Carmel and points to a renewed hope of encountering God in eternal life with the help of Mary’s protection and intercession.​

You can read a little bit more online here: helpfellowship.org/OCDS%20Lessons/Lesson%2014.htm

 

[RosaryFan]

Mine is a constant reminder to me to pay attention to how I’m living my life, what I’m doing and saying, it reminds me of my promises and professions to both God and the Church. Does a smoke alarm “save lives”? Of course not! It’s a piece of plactic that hangs from the ceiling. But what it does can cause someone to save their own life. If someone puts on the scapular and continues to live as a “mocker and blasphemer”, believe me they will not die wearing the sacpular.

In addition to this wonderful answer (love the smoke detector analogy), wearing the Brown Scapular is an agreement with Our Lady to live our lives in union with the confraternity of the Carmelites and share in their prayers. Wearing the scapular stands for our decision to follow Jesus, like Mary; to be open to God and His will; to be guided by faith, hope and love; to pray at all times; to discover God present in all that happens around us. It is not a magical charm or an automatic guarantee of salvation. It is not an excuse for not living up to the demands of Christian life.

When one is vested in the Brown Scauplar (usually a blessing received at First Holy Communion), and one promises to say certain prayers known as “The Little Office” daily (daily Rosary may substitute with priest’s permission), Our Lady has further promised that if you die wearing the Scapular, she will come personally to purgatory on the first Saturday after your death and bring you to Heaven. This is known as the Sabatine Promise.

 

[sinner06]

Blessed Claude gives us the solution to the mystery of the missing Scapular: ‘You ask, ‘What if I desire to die in my sins?’ I answer, ‘Then you will die in your sins, BUT YOU WILL NOT DIE IN YOUR SCAPULAR.’ “ Blessed Claude tells the story of a man who tried to drown himself three times. He was rescued against his will. At last he realized that he was wearing his Scapular. Determined to take his life, he tore the Scapular from his neck and leaped into the water. Without Mary’s protective garment he accomplished his wish, and died in his sins.
Further Miracles.

Are you saying that someone who was in a state of mortal sin would not be able to die if they were wearing a scapular?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Are you saying that someone who was in a state of mortal sin would not be able to die if they were wearing a scapular?

Someone who was in a state of mortal sin and unrepentent, would die while not wearing the scapular.

 

[sinner06]

Someone who was in a state of mortal sin and unrepentent, would die while not wearing the scapular.

So I could commit a mortal sin, and then commit suicide bombings, totally secure in the knowledge that I wouldn’t die wearing the scapular?