Catechism Corner | “The” Weapons for Our Times: The Scapular, Rosary, and Purity (Fr. Richard Heilman)

FATIMA: THE ROSARY & SCAPULAR

A prophecy attributed to Saint Dominic further underlines this importance: "One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world."

During the final apparition at Fatima, October 13, 1917 when the "miracle of the sun" occurred, Our Lady first appeared as she had been appearing to the three shepherd children with her sorrowful heart exposed. And then she appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel with "something hanging from her right hand." We can safely assume that the "something" was the scapular.

"Why do you think Our Lady appeared with the Scapular in this last vision?" Lucia was asked in 1950.

"Because," Lucia replied, "She wants everyone to wear the Scapular."

The fact that Lucia, on October 13, 1917, saw the Blessed Virgin as She is generally represented under the invocation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, lends itself to many interpretations. There is nothing to prevent people seeing in this fact the desire of Our Lady to be better known, loved and invoked as Queen of Mount Carmel, or that the use of Her Scapular, with all its obligations, be considered one of the points of Her message, as a very efficacious means of salvation of souls and of the world.

THE SABBATINE PRIVILEGE

Attached to the wearing of the Brown Scapular is the Sabbatine Privilege. The name Sabbatine Privilege originates from the apocryphal Bull "Sacratissimo uti culmine" of John XXII, 3 March, 1322. The papal document declares that the Mother of God appeared to him, and most urgently recommended to him the Carmelite Order and its confratres and consorores.

According to Pope John XXII, the Blessed Virgin gave him the following message in a vision related to those who wear the Brown Scapular: "I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday (Sabbath) after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I shall free, so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting."

Based on Church tradition, three conditions need to be fulfilled to obtain the benefits of this Privilege and the Scapular:

1. Wear the Brown Scapular.

2. Observe chastity according to one's state in life.

3. Pray the Rosary.

In order to receive the spiritual blessings associated with the Scapular, it is necessary to be formally enrolled in the Brown Scapular by either a priest. Once enrolled, no other Scapular need be blessed before wearing. The blessing and imposition are attached to the wearer for life.

SATAN'S WEAPON IN OUR TIMES

As we approach the 100^th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima (1917), we see evil unleashed on our world as never before. In the apparitions, Mary affirmed the weapons most powerful in facing the evils of our time: Rosary and Scapular. But, let's not diminish the importance of the remaining condition for obtaining the Sabbatine Privilege: "Observe chastity according to one's state in life."

It is no accident that evil is running unabated in our times just as we are experiencing the worst "days of debauchery" in the history of mankind?

This debauchery has been Satan's most effective weapon in our times, especially since the advent of high-speed internet. With one click access to pornography, our men (especially) have been easily tempted to exchange their friendship with God for a few moments of sensual pleasure. Now, stripped of their spiritual armor and weapons; they are naked on the battlefield with no real power to protect and lead their families … they have no power of grace.

The time is now to reclaim the surrendered ground Satan has stolen from our families. The time is now for all men to make a commitment to purity.

Take up the weapons of our times: The Scapular, Rosary and Purity.

Our Lady of the Fatima, pray for us! St. Michael the Archangel, protect us from all evil!

GO TO CONFESSION!!

Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.