Catechism Corner | Brown Scapular [Part 2]

The Spiritual Meaning of the Scapular

The Scapular finds its roots in the tradition of the Order, which has seen in it a sign of Mary's motherly protection. It has, therefore, a centuries' old spiritual meaning approved by the Catholic Church.

• It stands for a commitment to follow Jesus, like Mary, the perfect model of all the disciples of Christ. This commitment finds its origin in baptism by which we become children of God.
• The Blessed Virgin teaches us:
  • To be open to God and to His will, shown to us in the events of our lives;
  • To listen to the Word of God in the Bible and in life, to believe in it and to put into practice its demands;
  • To pray at all times, as a way of discovering the presence of God in all that is happening around us;
  • To be involved with people, being attentive to their needs. ︎
• It leads us into the community of Carmel, a community of religious men and women, which has existed in the Church for over eight centuries. It calls on us to live out the ideal of this religious family: intimate friendship with God in prayer.
• It reminds us of the example of the saints of Carmel, with whom we establish a close bond as brothers and sisters to one another.
• It is an expression of our belief that we will meet God in eternal life, aided by the intercession and prayer of Mary.

Some practical rules

People are enrolled in the Brown Scapular only once, by a priest or authorized person.The Scapular can be replaced afterwards by a medal which has on one side the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the other, the image of Mary.

The Scapular holds us to live as authentic Christians in line with the teaching of the Gospel, to receive the sacraments, to profess our special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, which should be expressed each day, at least, by saying the Hail Mary three times.

Short Form for Giving the Scapular

"Receive this Scapular, a sign of your special relationship with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, whom you pledge to imitate. May it be a reminder to you of your dignity as a Christian, in serving others and imitating Mary. Wear it as a sign of her protection and of belonging to the Family of Carmel, voluntary doing the will of God and devoting yourself to building a world true to his plan of community, justice and peace."

The Brown Scapular is not:

• a magical charm to protect you
• an automatic guarantee of salvation
• an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life

It is a sign which:

• has been approved by the Church for over seven centuries;
• stands for the decision to follow Jesus like Mary:

• open to God and to His will;
• guided by faith, hope and love;
• close to the needs of people; praying at all times;
• discovering God present in all that happens around us;
• introduces people into the Family of Carmel;
• points to a renewed hope of encountering God in eternal life with the help of Mary's protection and intercession.

Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.