Enrollment Prayers
BLESSING AND INVESTITURE WITH SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
SHORT FORM
(Approved by the Congregation of Sacred Rites, July 24, 1888)
The one who is to receive the scapular is kneeling. The priest, vested in surplice and white stole or at least the latter, says:
P: Lord, show us your mercy.
All: And grant us your salvation.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, sanctify (+) by your right hand this habit, which is to be worn by your servant in love and devotion to you and your blessed Mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. By her intercession may he (she) be defended from the evil foe and persevere in your grace until death. We ask this of you who live and reign forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Then he sprinkles the habit with holy water, and invests the person with it, saying to each one:
Take this blessed habit, and call on the most holy Virgin, that by her merits you may keep it spotless, be protected by her from all adversity, and attain everlasting life.
All: Amen.
By the power granted me I receive you as a partaker of all the spiritual favors which, by the merciful help of Jesus Christ, are enjoyed by the religious of the Order of Carmelites; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
May almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, bless (+) you, He who graciously chose you for the confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We pray to her that in the hour of your death she will crush the head of the ancient serpent, so that you may finally possess the palm and crown of the everlasting inheritance; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
He sprinkles the person with holy water. If several are being received the plural forms are used. If only the habit is to be blessed, the blessing begins with the versicle Lord, show us your mercy, and concludes with the prayer Lord Jesus Christ, etc.
Alternative Rite for the Blessing of and Enrollment in the Scapular
Opening rite
The officiant, standing before a picture of Our Lady, faces those who wish to receive the Scapular, inviting them to take part in the celebration worthily.
Min. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
R/. Amen.
Min. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
R/. And also with you.
The officiant explains briefly the meaning of the blessing of and enrollment in the Scapular.
The Word of God
A short reading of the Word of God may be proclaimed, as for instance:
a) From the Old Testament
1. Pr 8: 17-21. I love those who love me.
2. Is 61: 1-2. He has clothed me with a mantle of justice.
3. 2 K 2: 7-13. The mantle of Elijah fell on Elisha.
4. Ba 5: 1-5. Clothe yourselves with the beauty of God.
5. Ezk 16: 8-14. Your beauty was perfect.
b) From the New Testament
1. Rm 12: 1-2. This is your spiritual worship.
2. Ga 4: 4-7. God sent his Son born of a woman.
3. Ep 6: 10-17. Take strength from the Lord.
4. Mk 5: 25-34. The woman touched the garment of Jesus and was cured.
5. Lk 2: 4-8. Mary wrapped her Firstborn in swaddling clothes.
Intercessions
Let us pray to God our Father, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may be clothed in Christ by the grace of the Holy Spirit: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may live their baptismal vow to be clothed in Christ: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may be living members of the family of Carmel by their prayers, sacrifices and good works: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may be an extension of the love which Jesus had for his Mother: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may clothe themselves with the virtues of the most pure Virgin, listen to the Word of God and live it daily: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular, by the intercession of Mary, may be enlightened in contemplation, joyous in fraternity and zealous in the service of others: Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may lead their lives in such a way that they will always be ready to enter into the assembly of the saints, wearing bridal clothes, with Mary most holy: Lord, hear us.
Prayer of blessing
The priest or deacon with outstretched hands prays thus:
Holy Father, you have wished that your only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, should take our human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the working of the Holy Spirit; grant to this son (daughter) of yours who is about to wear devoutly the Scapular of the family of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel the grace of being clothed in Jesus the Lord in all the circumstances of this life and thus to attain eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The priest or deacon sprinkles holy water.
Enrollment in the Scapular
The officiant places the Scapular saying:
Receive this Scapular by which you enter the family of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel; wear it as a sign of the motherly protection of the Virgin and of your pledge to imitate and serve her. May the Mother of God help you to be clothed in Christ. May He abide in you to the glory of the Trinity and to dedicate yourself to the Church for the good of your brothers and sisters.
R/. Amen.
The officiant announces the affiliation to the Carmelite family in the following or similar words:
By the faculties invested in me I admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits of the Order of Carmel.
Closing rite
The priest or deacon uses the short form of blessing:
May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you forever.
R/. Amen.
Or:
Min. May the Lord bless us, keep us from every evil and lead to eternal life.
R/. Amen.
And thus ends the rite.
Prayer Source: Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, The: Catechesis and Ritual by North American Provincials of the Carmelite Orders, Community of Teresian Carmelites, Worcester, MA, 2000