July 16

Devotion Of The Scapular

Preparation. - The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel recalls the devotion of the Scapular of that name, and also of the other scapulars approved by the Church. Let us consider, first, their advantages, and secondly, the services they can render to our spiritual life. We shall thereby re-awaken our faith and re-animate our confidence in the holy liveries of the Queen of heaven, so well calculated to draw her protection over us. “He will overshadow thee with His shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt trust” (Ps. 90. 4).

I. Advantages Of Wearing The Scapular

Few devotions afford so many guarantees. Among others the scapular of Carmel has been approved by twenty-two Popes, and is confirmed by the testimony of numberless miracles. Besides this so celebrated scapular, there are four others that are very popular among the faithful; those of the Trinity, the Passion, the Seven Dolors and the Immaculate Conception.

These five scapulars, approved by the Church, enable the wearers to participate in all the good works of the five religious institutes to which they belong. And then, how may rich indulgences the Roman Pontiffs have granted to those who practice this beautiful devotion! How great a share have they not in the communion of saints, in these suffrages of their brethren and in the Blessed Virgin’s protection, whose privileged children they are!

On July 16, 1251, the Queen of angels, appearing to the General of the Carmelites, spoke to him in these terms: “Receive, my dear son, this scapular of thy Order; it is a mark of the privilege I have obtained for thee and thy brethren of Carmel.” What privilege was this? Mary herself told it, saying: “He that dies piously clothed in this habit, will be preserved from the eternal fires.” O grace of graces! to be preserved from hell and receive heaven! The Blessed Virgin added: “This scapular is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, the pledge of special peace and protection to the end of ages.” Each of these words should be weighed and pondered.

About seventy years later Mary appeared to Pope John XXII., promising to deliver from purgatory the brethren of Carmel after their death. Where else can similar promises and advantages be found? They are a powerful motive for wearing the scapular, or the insignia of the Queen of heaven, with respect, piety and perfect security.

O my august Sovereign, being happy and proud of wearing thy holy habit, I will often invoke thee with the confidence of a subject in his Queen and of a child in his beloved Mother. Obtain for me esteem and love for the devotion of the scapulars, and the grace to render it useful to my spiritual progress. Enable me to hope for my salvation, by virtue of the promises uttered by thy benevolent lips in favor of the brethren of Carmel.

II. The Devotion Of The Scapulars Should Sanctify Us

Nothing can help us to lead a holy life better than these wholesome thoughts: I am in the service of the most powerful of queens, for I wear her insignia, her scapular. Satan trembles at my aspect, seeing a servant of her who crushed his head. How then should I still fear the world and become the slave of human respect? Why should I suffer myself to be governed by lustful propensities, I who am the subject of an immaculate Queen? The scapular, her habit, has made me her child, and should not the child of so holy a mother be a saint?

The scapular of the Trinity on my breast reminds me of these words of St. Paul: “You are the temple of God.” Wherefore the three divine Persons dwell in me, watch over my soul, listen to my prayers; what a powerful motive of recollection and filial confidence. - The scapular of the Passion reminds me of the Redeemer’s torments and opprobriums; a touching motive for loving Him and suffering patiently! - The Mother of Sorrows, in her turn, in clothing me with her livery, assures me of her protection in all my anguish; no mother can console her children as well as she. What shall I say of the holy garment of her Immaculate Conception, which prescribes that I should be chaste, reserved and modest? It is a constant reminder to me of mortification, watchfulness and prayers, those means so necessary for perfect purity.

But let us return to the Scapular of Carmel. Considering the signal promises that recommended it, it enables me to hope, if I am faithful to Mary, that I will obtain the favors, of which it is the pledge: first, preservation from hell; secondly, prompt deliverance from the flames of purgatory; and thirdly, the special protection of the Queen of Angels in dangers, together with peace, which is its fruit. Oh, how these thoughts are well calculated to excite in my heart sentiments of faith, confidence, gratitude and love!

O my God, enable me to consider each of these scapulars as a sensible sign of Mary’s good will, and in some manner, as one of the sails of the vessel that is to bring me into the harbor of salvation. Deign to distend these sails with the breath of Thy holy Spirit, by increasing in me, by their means, the actual graces so necessary for my perseverance. I am resolved, first, always to wear the scapulars with a profound respect; and secondly, to reanimate my hope in Mary, especially in temptation, by the thought that I am clothed, as with armor, with her insignia, or liveries. “He will overshadow thee with his shoulders, and under His wings thou shalt trust.”