Revolution of Love.com
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and the Brown Scapular
by Brian
One of the greatest spiritual gifts that Catholics have received from Heaven is the Brown Scapular.
I have no idea what St. Simon Stock was thinking when he received the Brown Scapular from Our Lady in 1251, but I am sure he was filled with gratitude and awe. Today, all Catholics should rejoice as the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
To some the Scapular may appear to be just two ordinary pieces of cloth held together by common string, but we know that we can never judge something by appearances. For a Scapular, when blessed by a priest, is instantly transformed into a spiritual shield that bears Our Lady's seal.
This shield is to be our armor in the spiritual battle we are fighting. It will douse the flaming arrows of Satan, guide us through his snares and help us repel his empty promises and evil works. It is our strength in times of temptation and our light in times of darkness.
To wear the Brown Scapular is to say "yes" to Our Lady. It is to enlist in her army and be her child. The Scapular spiritually unites us to Our Lady and keeps us under her Heavenly mantle.
The Scapular is a spiritual weapon. In fact, it is closely linked with another spiritual weapon, the Holy Rosary. The two go hand in hand. The Scapular is our shield and the Rosary our sword. One protects us from the enemy while the other counters his attacks.
Every morning after I wash up, I put my Scapular on and thank Our Lady for such a great and loving gift. By wearing the Scapular, I feel as though Our Lady is holding me in her immaculate arms, just like a mother holds her little baby.
Our Lady promised St. Simon Stock that those who wore the Scapular would not suffer the pains of eternal damnation. Of course there are some stipulations attached to this promise, for instance - you have to remain in a state of grace. Nevertheless, the promise uncovers the power behind the Scapular.
The spiritual battle, in which we are immersed, can take its toll. This is precisely why we need spiritual help and protection. The Brown Scapular, if worn with faith, can give us that help, and coupled with the Rosary, can defeat the tactics of the enemy.
If you currently wear the Scapular, I encourage you to persevere in your practice and continue to fight in Our Lady's army. If you don't wear the Scapular, I encourage you to purchase one, have a priest bless it and put it on. You will then enjoy Our Lady's special protection and have a spiritual weapon to fight the good fight.
God bless.
To read more about the history of the brown scapular, visit:
History of the Brown Scapular by the LVMC