The Brown Scapular: It's Modern Day Significance

Carmelite tradition holds that Our Lady appeared to Saint Simon Stock in 1251 and gave him the brown scapular as a sign of Mary’s unceasing pledge of protection upon the Order of Carmel. The Brown Scapular is a “garment of salvation” and all who wear it “will not suffer the flames of eternal fires.” This privilege was extended to all the faithful, not just Carmelites, and the Brown Scapular of Carmel became a favorite sacramental in the Church, along with the Rosary.

Carmelites and the Brown Scapular

The Carmelite Order is preparing to celebrate the great Solemnity of Mary, Lady and Mother of Carmel on July 16th.  The story of the Carmelite Order really began with the story of Elijah, the great prophet of the Old Testament, as told in the 2nd Book of Kings. The Order calls him its spiritual father and claims him as their founder because Carmelite spirituality is inspired by his life and example. All the great historians and spiritual writers of the Order recognize Elijah and Mary as the two pillars that define the Carmelite way of life: contemplation and action.

Reasons for wearing the Brown Scapular

The Spiritual Meaning of the Scapular:
1. It is a symbol of Mary's love for us.
2. It stands for a commitment to follow Jesus as Mary did.
3. It leads us to the family of Carmel.
4. It reminds us to the example of the Saints of Carmel.
5. It is an expression of our belief that we will meet God in eternal life, aided by the intercession of Mary.

Through the Scapular, the Blessed Virgin teaches us:
1. To be open to God, and to His will, shown to us in the events of our lives.
2. To listen to the Word of God in the Bible and in life, to believe in it an to put into practice its demands.
3. To pray at all times as a way of discovering the presence of God in all that is happening around us.
4. To be involved with people and attentive to their needs.

"The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel"
National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

To Order Free Scapular