Many people use the scapular out of fashion or simply because others use it, but they don’t know its true meaning.
There are many who wear the scapular or other objects of devotion without knowing their real meaning, even worse when they use it as an amulet, something magical that “brings luck”, that rids people of the “evil eye” or something similar. As if the true meaning did not come from the heart of the person who uses such an object, who, knowing its true meaning, uses it to signal something that is within them, in their faith, in their purposes and conversion.
Many use crosses, medals, rosaries and various scapulars of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a fad, because everyone is using them or because “that artist” used them in the soap opera.
Understand why we should use the scapular and discover its meaning for the Church
The scapular or Bentinho do Carmo is an external sign of Marian devotion, which consists of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, through inscription in the Carmelite Order, in the hope of her maternal protection. The Carmo scapular is a sacramental. In the words of , “a sacred sign, according to the model of the sacraments, through which effects are signified, especially spiritual ones, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church” (SC 60).
“The devotion of the Carmo scapular caused a copious rain of spiritual and temporal graces to descend upon the world” (Pius XII, 6/8/50).
Devotion to the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel began with the vision of Saint Simon Stock. According to tradition, the Order of Mount Carmel was going through a difficult phase between the years 1230-1250. Having recently arrived in Europe as a nomad, expelled by the Muslims from Mount Carmel, the Order was going through a critical period. The Carmelite friars encountered strong resistance from other religious orders for their insertion. They were harassed and even satirized for their way of dressing. The future of the Carmelites was led by Simon Stock, a man of faith and a great devotee of Our Lady.
The scapular was an apron worn by monks during work to avoid getting their tunic dirty. Placed on the scapulas (shoulders), the scapular is a part of the habit that every Carmelite still wears today. Over time, a reduced scapular was established to be given to the lay faithful. In this way, whoever wore it could participate in the spirituality of Carmel and the great graces that are linked to it; among others, the Sabbath privilege. In his bull, called Sabatina, Pope John XXII states that those who wear the scapular will quickly undergo the punishment of purgatory on the Saturday that follows their death. The advantages of the Sabbath privilege were further confirmed by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, on July 14, 1908.
The scapular is made of two squares of brown fabric joined by strings, with on one side the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and on the other the Heart of Jesus, or the coat of arms of the Order of Mount Carmel. It is a miniature of the Carmelite habit, which is why it is a garment. Whoever puts on the scapular becomes part of the Carmelite family and consecrates themselves to Our Lady. Thus, the scapular is a visible sign of our alliance with Mary.
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Commitments of those who use the scapular
It is important to highlight some attitudes that must be assumed by those who wear this Marian sign:
• Put God first in your life and always seek to carry out His will.
• Listen to the Word of God in the Bible and practice it in life.
• Seek communion with God through prayer, which is an intimate dialogue we have with the One who loves us.
• Open yourself to the suffering of others, sympathizing with them in their needs, seeking to solve them.
• Participate frequently in the Church, in the Eucharist and in confession, to be able to deepen the mystery of Christ in your life.
I was clothed with the scapular on July 16, 1996, when I was in the novitiate. On that day, I consecrated my affection and sexuality to the care of the Virgin Mary, who can always count on my efforts and openness of heart, to be worthy of receiving the graces of this holy devotion.
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