Why dont all Catholics pray the rosary, or wear the brown scapular?

[godisgood77]

I don’t really understand not doing these things, either. At Fatima, Our Lady requested we wear the scapular and pray the rosary each day. She didn’t say “some of you should”. These are simple devotions, so as for why more don’t take up these two devotions, I suppose it’s because they’re not informed. Also, maybe they don’t know or believe in the benefits.

The Church does not say that Our Lady said those things… The Church says that you can believe in Fatima if you are so inclined. Many, many people are going informed about the supposed apparitions and messages, but do not believe them. Fatima is private revelation, not public revelation, hence it is not a required belief.

 

[porthos11]

I don’t really understand not doing these things, either. At Fatima, Our Lady requested we wear the scapular and pray the rosary each day. She didn’t say “some of you should”. These are simple devotions, so as for why more don’t take up these two devotions, I suppose it’s because they’re not informed. Also, maybe they don’t know or believe in the benefits.

As far as the Scapular is concerned, because it’s a Carmelite sacramental. Not everyone would want to practice Carmelite spirituality. Why would we force a Benedictine to wear a Carmelite habit? They have their own charisms and habit, and as the Church allows many spiritualities and paths to holiness, so does she offer many sacramentals. We are not required to pick a whole kaboodle of them (which is why I find the idea of fivefold scapulars a bit of a version of devotional multiple personalities).

As for the Rosary, not everyone appreciates it. And that’s fine. Some of us find our solace in the psalms, the great prayers of the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit himself and covering a whole range of human experience. Some of us may have time only for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, or the Rosary, but not both. Given that the Divine Office is a higher form of prayer than even the Rosary (yes, I said that, and yes, there are higher and lower forms of prayer), I would rather pick the Liturgy.

Our Lady, even if an apparition is approved, binds no one.

 

[R_H_Benson]

I can’t imagine what Catholicism would look like without a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. The graces that are offered by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and by the wearing of the Brown Scapular are simply unmatched (keeping in mind that the proper “use” of these devotions necessarily includes frequent and worthy reception of the Sacraments, so in no way am I implying that Marian devotions on their own offer more graces than the Sacraments - after all, the entire purpose of Marian devotion is to seek a more intimate union with her Divine Son - a kind of union that can only be obtained through her patronage and intercession and perfected by the grace of God). While these devotions remain optional and are not necessary for salvation, it is difficult for me to understand why any Catholic would wish to distance themselves from the incredible graces Our Lady ardently wishes to obtain for us by these means. Sometimes it really is that simple. If we persevere in prayer (which means sticking it out even when we feel no consolations) and wear our Brown Scapulars in faith (not in superstition) Our Lady WILL keep her promises to us. How dark without Mary life’s journey would be.

 

[Della]

I can’t imagine what Catholicism would look like without a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. The graces that are offered by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and by the wearing of the Brown Scapular are simply unmatched (keeping in mind that the proper “use” of these devotions necessarily includes frequent and worthy reception of the Sacraments, so in no way am I implying that Marian devotions on their own offer more graces than the Sacraments - after all, the entire purpose of Marian devotion is to seek a more intimate union with her Divine Son - a kind of union that can only be obtained through her patronage and intercession and perfected by the grace of God). While these devotions remain optional and are not necessary for salvation, it is difficult for me to understand why any Catholic would wish to distance themselves from the incredible graces Our Lady ardently wishes to obtain for us by these means. Sometimes it really is that simple. If we persevere in prayer (which means sticking it out even when we feel no consolations) and wear our Brown Scapulars in faith (not in superstition) Our Lady WILL keep her promises to us. How dark without Mary life’s journey would be.

Well, one does not have to wear the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel nor pray the rosary to have a true and full devotion for her. Sure, both of these are wonderful sacramentals, but they are not the only means by which one can demonstrates one’s love and honor for Mary. Simply asking Mary to bestow the graces that God flows through her hands is sufficient. The rosary is meant for our good not as a proof that we love Mary, after all. That is what sacramentals are for–to aid us in our faith, but they are not the only means of doing so. What did people do in the many centuries before either devotion arose? Surely Our Lady was always there as Mother and Intercessor.

I’m not denigrating either devotion, but no one should have the idea that they are necessary for salvation (not that you implied that) or that Mary ignores those who don’t employ them (which many do seem to imply) when there are other means for giving her devotion and asking for her intercession.

Having written all that, I wear a four way medal and I often pray the rosary, but I offer Mary devotion in my daily prayers and I draw much grace from her hands whether I pray the rosary or not. Sometimes we can make such devotions an end in themselves and elevate them beyond their true worth. The Mass and the Divine Office are the public prayers of the Church. I urge all to take full advantage of those before scapulars or the rosary, as good as those sacramentals are. The sacraments are our daily bread (especially the Eucharist), not sacramentals.

 

[AKDee]

I can’t imagine what Catholicism would look like without a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. The graces that are offered by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and by the wearing of the Brown Scapular are simply unmatched (keeping in mind that the proper “use” of these devotions necessarily includes frequent and worthy reception of the Sacraments, so in no way am I implying that Marian devotions on their own offer more graces than the Sacraments - after all, the entire purpose of Marian devotion is to seek a more intimate union with her Divine Son - a kind of union that can only be obtained through her patronage and intercession and perfected by the grace of God). While these devotions remain optional and are not necessary for salvation, it is difficult for me to understand why any Catholic would wish to distance themselves from the incredible graces Our Lady ardently wishes to obtain for us by these means. Sometimes it really is that simple. If we persevere in prayer (which means sticking it out even when we feel no consolations) and wear our Brown Scapulars in faith (not in superstition) Our Lady WILL keep her promises to us. How dark without Mary life’s journey would be.

I thought this was beautifully written. Thank you.

 

[godisgood77]

Very well said…thank-you.

 

[Southwell]

Because both of those things are private devotional, meaning optional to the faithful.

Also Mary’s apparitions are also private or optional. So the Church does not teach that we have been instructed by Mary to say the rosary or wear a scapular. If you have a devotion to those practices and they aid you spiritually, that is great!! However, the Church doesn’t impose personal devotions on the faithful.

Godisgood77 is, of.course correct, but, it’s more than that. We’re now into our third generation of Roman Cathics who don’t know their faith!! 25 Yeats ago, I was shocked to learn that in my daughter’s confimation cass, ONLY she and a friend knew the Our Father and the Hail Mary! And this on the eve of their confirmation!

Of course there are many devotions in the Church and Rosary and scapular are not mandatory, snd God Bless all those who pray the Divine Office, the Little Office of the BVM, or any number of. Other private devotions.At least they have a prayer life!!! Sadly, many do nt and its not entirely their fault. The Church has done an abysmal job of passing on the Faith. Just ask yourself why most of the CAF inquiries come Rom Catholics. I venture to say that most Cathics under 50, don’t know how to say the Rosary! St… Paul admonishes us to pray without ceasing, it ia shame that many Catholics ceased praying the day they were confirmed. These Catholics are the target of the New Evangelization!!

 

[Southwell]

Very well said…thank-you.

Please don’t applaud ignorance of Church history and distain for valid devotion as mere superstition. Many of the arguments you applaud were and are used by protestant detractors! To reject something because it is abused is to throw out the baby with he bathwater, and is the height of arrogance and harmful to souls, it sounds like an excuse for rejecting organized religion. Martin Luther would be proud. I may be over the top here and I may get kicked off CAF, but if so I accept that, this had to be said! And if CAF endorses the characterization of venerable devotions practiced by devout souls since, at lease the 13th century, as mere superstition and a “get out of Hell free card,” well then, I want no part of it!!!

 

[Southwell]

(name removed by moderator), sorry for any missunderstanding! No offense meant, or taken. I guess we are both passonate for the Faith. I have found that following any devotion just to get what it promises wears thin without true devotion, and get dropped for without true debotion, theyre just too deandinh. With true devotion Mary always points to Christ. But, I know where,you’re coming from. When he was in Denver Bishop Gomez once said of his home country; “Mexico is 95% Catholic and 110% Guadalupano”
Maikng Our Lady into an Aztec goddess or a good luck charm I supose. Any way, peace be with you my brother!! And thanks for the clarification.

 

[Philomena321]

The Church does not say that Our Lady said those things… The Church says that you can believe in Fatima if you are so inclined. Many, many people are going informed about the supposed apparitions and messages, but do not believe them. Fatima is private revelation, not public revelation, hence it is not a required belief.

70,000 people witnessed this mircle of the sun at the approved apparition. Sr Lucy and the other children said she asked that we pray the rosary every day for the conversion of sinners. To not pray the rosary daily, is to not fufil Our Lady’s simple request. Why would anyone not do that? 20 minutes a day is not too much for heaven to ask.

 

[Philomena321]

As far as the Scapular is concerned, because it’s a Carmelite sacramental. Not everyone would want to practice Carmelite spirituality. Why would we force a Benedictine to wear a Carmelite habit? They have their own charisms and habit, and as the Church allows many spiritualities and paths to holiness, so does she offer many sacramentals. We are not required to pick a whole kaboodle of them (which is why I find the idea of fivefold scapulars a bit of a version of devotional multiple personalities).

As for the Rosary, not everyone appreciates it. And that’s fine. Some of us find our solace in the psalms, the great prayers of the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit himself and covering a whole range of human experience. Some of us may have time only for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, or the Rosary, but not both. Given that the Divine Office is a higher form of prayer than even the Rosary (yes, I said that, and yes, there are higher and lower forms of prayer), I would rather pick the Liturgy.

Our Lady, even if an apparition is approved, binds no one.

I don’t know much about the other scaps, excedpting the green…Are all scapulars considered Our Lady’s mantle?

 

[godisgood77]

70,000 people witnessed this approved apparition. Sr Lucy and the other children said she asked that we pray the rosary every day for the conversion of sinners. To not pray the rosary daily, is to not fufil Our Lady’s simple request. Why would anyone not do that? 20 minutes a day is not too much for heaven to ask.

I appreciate your devotion and respect your belief. I and others in this thread were simply stating how the Church views this and other private revelations and devotions.

I personally pray the rosary often with my family and am in no way ‘downgrading’ Mary’s importance. However, we have to recognize that we can not force private devotions and/or revelations on others, nor can we force our own spirituality on others… The Church doesn’t and neither should we.

 

[Della]

70,000 people witnessed this mircle of the sun at the approved apparition. Sr Lucy and the other children said she asked that we pray the rosary every day for the conversion of sinners. To not pray the rosary daily, is to not fufil Our Lady’s simple request. Why would anyone not do that? 20 minutes a day is not too much for heaven to ask.

When the Church declares an apparition worthy of belief it does not mean that the Church demands we do whatever an apparition might instruct devotees to do. In reality, the children reported Mary said these things, but there is no evidence for this beyond their words, and it’s not part of the public revelation of the faith that ended with the Apostles. So, the Church tells us that no one has to believe that Mary asks us to pray any particular devotion.

Having written all that, it certainly does no harm to pray the rosary, as long as it is done as a devotional and not as a substitute for, say, attending Masses of obligation (unless one can’t do so). For some it’s taken the place of celebrating the Mass in importance. Like any devotion it can become an end in itself and fall into superstition.

Before I pray the rosary I first pray Morning and Evening Prayer because they are the liturgy of the Church and not merely a private devotion. I also read and meditate on the daily Mass readings to feed myself with God’s word as we go through the Church year. I find these grouding in faith while I find the rosary more of a solace and inspiration to arouse affection for Mary and others. Devotions are good, but no one is obliged to follow any particular one, and there are many out there of equal value to the rosary.

 

[porthos11]

I don’t know much about the other scaps, excedpting the green…Are all scapulars considered Our Lady’s mantle?

No. Scapulars are abbreviated versions of a religious’ habit. The Brown Scapular, for example, is a small version of the Carmelite scapular, the long cloth that hangs over the shoulders of Carmelite brothers and religious sisters. You will not catch them wearing small scapulars because they already wear the long ones as part of their habit.

There are other small scapulars to that are affiliated with their own respective orders. The Black Scapular, for example, is an abbreviated version of the Passionist habit. The Red is affiliated with the Lazarists and the Blue with the Theatines. The Green Scapular is an oddball, since it isn’t derived from a specific Order.

Because of what they are, and despite their sizes, scapulars are garments; they are pieces of clothing (not merely pieces of cloth) and as such, for a mini-“habit”.

The key thing is that we wear any particular Scapular with the intention of affiliating oneself to a certain degree with the spirituality of a particular Order and to share in spiritual goods with that Order. I myself wear the Brown Scapular because I like the Carmelite spirituality, which includes entrusting ourselves to Mary’s care and the recitation of the Divine Office.