Wonders of the Brown Scapular

Hi, actually I can assure you and demonstrate, that you have some misinformation about the "Sabbatine Privilege." I can quote for you what the Carmelite Superiors of North America say about it in their booklet containing the ecclesiastically approved doctrine, catechesis, and ritual for the Brown Scapular:

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.”

These are the facts! There is no basis for thinking that Pope John XXII had a private revelation of this kind, because the source for that idea was in the false bull. Because the content of the "Sabbatine Privilege" is essentially a promise of a special kind of plenary indulgence applicable the Saturday after one's death for those who wear the Scapular and fulfill certain conditions, and this rests on the authority of the Church and if the Church says there is no such thing, then there isn't, period, and anyone who says there is, is objectively in error.

There is a very good article here by the respected Discalced Carmelite scholar, Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh: Brown Scapular: A "Silent" Devotion which was published last year in Zenit for the Feast of Out Lady of Mount Carmel, that explains the Brown Scapular devotion as the Church teaches it today.

Regarding the Blue Army and the question I asked about how Fatima relates to Carmelite spirituality, I asked it because the Blue Army promotes the Brown Scapular (the Carmelite habit, the wearers of which should practice Carmelite spirituality, according to the Church) and because Sr Lucia became a Carmelite nun. And moreso because I am very devoted to Carmelite spirituality (and a Secular Carmelite novice) and wanted advice on how to understand Fatima in relation to my own spirituality. He said honestly he didn't know (fair enough, though for someone who promotes the Carmelite scapular so much this is not quite a satisfying answer, considering that according to the Church, Carmelite spirituality is inherently a part of the Brown Scapular devotion). I had to conclude that for him, it has to do essentially with the Fatima apparition and for him has nothing to do with Carmel. This may be an instance of obedience to a private revelation, but ignoring and even deviating from what the Church teaches about the devotion. And, obviously, if someone is listening to private revelations but discounting what the Church teaches then this is questionable.

Baptism as a Christian makes a person a child of Mary, wearing the Brown Scapular (the Carmelite habit) makes a person a part of the Carmelite family, of which Mary is principal patron.

I had always heard about "enrolment in the Scapular Confraternity" and it confused me because a Confraternity is an organization of the faithful, and I had never encountered a Brown Scapular group with meetings etc. Then I learned recently, that the most recent version of the Brown Scapular Catechesis and Ritual (a booklet published in 2000 by the North American Superiors of the Carmelite Orders), which is a more recent version of the official Scapular enrolment than the one in the Book of Blessings, actually describes canonical requirements for establishing a local Confraternity of the Brown Scapular group, under the authority of the Carmelite Order. So it IS a specific organization, that can have specific groups established according to canonical rules (and it's an ecclesial thing therefore you can't really independently start one that has no connection with the Order, you can only start one with the authority of the Order).

The current Rite for the Blessing of and Enrolment in the Scapular (approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments) ALSO provides a "generic" version of the Brown Scapular enrolment for people who individually practice Carmelite spirituality and want to wear the Scapular but are not actually joining a Confraternity group (since very few such groups exist!) nor joining the Secular Carmelites (who also wear the Scapular as their habit). This official Brown Scapular Catechesis and Ritual booklet is available from ICS Publications. It also describes some guidelines that are well worth reading, about the Brown Scapular aimed at keeping this devotion true to the Church and its authentic meaning both as a Marian devotion and as an affiliation with the Carmelites (the devotion as we know it today, originated in the 16th century for the laity to who wanted to be affiliated with the Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, the Carmelites). The current Rite, and the accompanying Doctrinal Statement (also approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship) empashizes that the Scapular is a form of affiliation with the Carmelites and entails practicing Carmelite spirituality, and the Carmelite Superiors imply in their introduction that it's not correct to wear it as a generic Marian devotion. It's specifically Carmelite, because it's the Carmelite habit, and a central meaning of being clothed with the scapular is not only consecration to Mary (though that's integrally a part of it), but becoming a member of the Family of Carmel.

For those simply enroled in the scapular without being in the Confraternity there is no specific requirement of daily vocal prayers (in the past when you were enroled "in the Confraternity" you were supposed to pray the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin every day, or three Hail Marys every day or some similar requirement). Of course, if someone is actually practicing Carmelite spirituality they would surely be a person of prayer, or trying to be, especially mental prayer (which Saint Teresa called the royal road to sanctity)! For members of the actual Confraternity (where such a group exists), they 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 some psalms or the rosary or other similar prayers." Also if possible the Confraternity is supposed to meet regularly for fellowship and to learn about the spirit of Carmel.

For the Church's authentic teaching, you can read online the official Brown Scapular Catechesis, the official doctrinal statement about the Brown Scapular, and the official enrolment ritual.

You are right. I don't have nightmares if I am wearing my scapular. Also, I have been in situations in vehicles, where I should have been hit by another car, but somehow (never could figure it out) my car was out of the way and an accident avoided. One minute the car is here, the next minute the car is over there--and I didn't drive it there. I hope this makes sense; I don't know if I've written it clearly.

Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
"Flos Carmeli" - Prayer of St. Simon Stock

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the sea, help and protect me!
Show me that Thou art my Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation!

Amen.

These are some beautiful reminders provided for us boys by Fr. Nicholas Gruner. It is something for us to ponder on and can follow:

"It is good for a man not to touch a woman." - 1 Cor 7:1

+ The parents of my girlfriend place their trust in me. I will not violate it.

+ I will respect my girlfriend as I expect other men to respect my sister.

+ I will respect womanhood because my mother is a woman; I will ask my girlfriend to do nothing that I would be ashamed of if my mother found out.

+ My girlfriend has given me the honor and pleasure of her company. It is wrong for me to expect more in payment for this visit with her.

+ My girlfriend will be a wife and mother some day. She must be an example to her children and the pride of her husband. I will help her to be as pure and decent as I want my wife to be.

+ Manhood means strength of character as well as body. Lack of self-control is a sign of weakness. I want my girlfriend to know I am manly.

+ God is everywhere, sees everything, knows everything. Darkness may hide from people, but I cannot hide me from God. If through my lack of self-control, I should get a girl pregnant, I will not put pressure on her to kill our unborn child.

These are some beautiful reminders provided for us girls by Fr. Nicholas Gruner. It is something for us to ponder on and can follow:

"Keep thyself chaste." - 1 Tim 5:22

+ My kisses are worth more than a party or a movie.

+ My body is the temple of God - not a plaything.

+ The "first" NO may be difficult - after that it's easy.

+ Virginity is still a virtue; lust is still a capital sin.

+ The way I dress, act and speak may be a temptation to my boyfriend. I will observe modesty for his and my own protection.

+ My parents have done so much for me I wish alsways to be a credit to them.

+ My boyfriend will be a husband and father some day. He must be a hero in the eyes of his wife and children. I will do nothing to prevent that on my visits with him.

+ I want to be a wife and mother. I will reserve my purity and affection for my husband and children.

+ If through my weakness, I should get pregnant, I will not take "the easy way out" by killing my unborn child.