Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment & Confraternity
Although not essential, enrollment is encouraged to share more fully in the graces of Carmel. One can simply wear the Scapular on their own, enjoying some association with the Order through their devotion. Those who are enrolled in the Confraternity by any priest or deacon (or person authorized by the Order who can enroll, but not bless) enjoy all the spiritual privileges of the Confraternity (click here).
Not necessarily. The enrollment into the Confraternity takes place at the end of the ritual when the priest, deacon, or authorized person declares that the person being enrolled now participates in the benefits of the order. This takes place only once in one’s lifetime. (click here for two ritual options for enrollment)
The Scapular Confraternity of Carmel is an association of the faithful, connecting them to the Carmelite family of Our Lady. Those enrolled practice the simple requirements and participate in the life of the Order and its spiritual benefits. This may be lived out in a purely spiritual way, or through periodic gatherings. Our Carmel Connect newsletter through CarmelScapular.com provides opportunities for Confraternity participation.
As distinct from the requirements of the Sabbatine Privilege, those enrolled in the Brown Scapular commit to:
- Wear the scapular continually
- Practice daily devotion to Our Lady
(e.g. at least three Hail Marys, but the daily rosary is highly encouraged) - Participate in the life of the Carmelite Order (i.e. through its spirituality and/or feast days; periodic connection with the Carmelite family is encouraged).
These requirements are not binding by sin.
Apparition & Privilege
During a tumultuous time in the Order’s history, Our Lady appeared to the Carmelite General, St. Simon Stock, in the year 1251 A.D., holding out to him the brown monastic apron the Carmelites wore. As the most insignificant part of the habit, this garment was draped over the front and back of the Carmelite as a protection for the tunic underneath. Mother Mary chose this garment as a sign of her protection and maternal care for the Order, saying, “This is a privilege for you and the Order; whoever dies wearing this Scapular will not suffer eternal fire.” Now, as the most significant part of “Our Lady’s Habit”, the Brown Scapular has been extended for centuries by the Church to the laity in its smaller form as a sacramental.
Yes - the faithful may confidently believe in the tradition of the Brown Scapular Apparition. Although we do not have ample documentation in the wake of the 1251 A.D. apparition, things changed following it. The Carmelite Order received full recognition and stability from the Church, became unified, and vocations increased. Even the single-piece white mantle was cut down the middle to make the Scapular visible.
A striking confirmation of this tradition happened during the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on October 13th, 1917, when Mary appeared dressed in the Carmelite Habit as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, holding out the Brown Scapular. The seer, Venerable Sister Lucia, would later say that Our Lady was asking all to wear her Brown Scapular, and that the rosary and the scapular go hand in hand. Lastly, and most importantly, the authority of the Church has blessed this tradition through the centuries.
No. One cannot live as a “wild child” and think that, just because they wear the Scapular, they have a free ticket to heaven. Those who wear the Scapular practice their faith, striving to always live in a state of grace. They have said “yes” to Mary, welcoming her heavenly promise and motherly protection to keep us always in Jesus, our Salvation. The more we welcome her into the whole of our lives, the more she is able to assist us and quickly rescue us if we fall.
Our Lady has promised that anyone who remains faithful to the Carmelite vocation (i.e. Confraternity by extension), will be granted the grace of final perseverance. Living as “brothers” and “sisters” of Mary in communion with Carmel, members of the Confraternity share in the prayers and sacrifices of our Friars, Nuns, Sisters, Secular Carmelites, and other members of the Confraternity. Members may gain plenary indulgences on the following feast days, provided they fulfill the usual conditions:
On the day they join the confraternity
- July 16th - Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- July 20th - St. Elijah
- May 16th - St. Simon Stock
- Oct. 1st - St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
- Oct. 15th - St. Teresa of Jesus
- Nov. 14th - All Carmelite Saints
- Dec. 14th - St. John of the Cross
The Scapular Promise and the Sabbatine Privilege are two separate things. The Sabbatine Privilege is the doctrine that those who practice certain disciplines accompanying their devotion to Our Lady will be delivered by her from Purgatory on the First Saturday after their death. As early as 1613, the Holy See determined that the decree establishing the Sabbatine Privilege was unfounded and admonished the Carmelite Order not to preach this doctrine.
What does the Church permit us to believe today related to this doctrine? To answer this question, we turn to a declaration from the Congregation of Indulgences on July 4, 1908:
“It is permitted to the Carmelite Fathers to preach that the Christian people may piously believe in the help which the souls of brothers and members, who have departed this life in charity, have worn throughout life the scapular, have ever observed chastity, have recited the Little Hours [of the Blessed Virgin], or, if they cannot read, have observed the fast days of the Church, and have abstained from flesh meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays (except when Christmas falls on such days), may derive after death—especially on Saturdays, the day consecrated by the Church to the Blessed Virgin—through the unceasing intercession of Mary, her pious petitions, her merits, and her special protection.”
Practicalities
The Church’s Doctrinal Statement on the Brown Scapular says, “The members of the confraternity must at all times devoutly wear the scapular or the medal as a visible sign of their belonging to Mary in the brotherhood of Carmel.” One may ask, “What if someone died in the shower after removing their Scapular? Would they fail to maintain the assistance and favor of Our Lady?” The short answer is “no”. This sacramental is about faith. Mary and Jesus know that someone is not intending to reject them when taking off the Scapular for practical reasons. However, as a little “habit” of Carmel, they must be in the “habit” of wearing the Scapular continually, as much as is reasonably possible.
Yes. Either way (on the outside or inside of your clothing) is acceptable.
As a blessed sacramental, you are to bury or burn your Scapular after it breaks in reverence to God for something used for a sacred purpose. As you put on a new Scapular, know that it is already blessed through the perpetual blessing given to you during your once-in-a-lifetime enrollment in the Scapular.
No. The Church has entrusted the responsibility for the administration and catechesis of this sacramental to the Carmelite Order. The Order today says that the two ends must consist of brown or dark cloth, but the type of cloth is not essential. It is a type of clothing or “habit” - an expression of our Heavenly Mother clothing her children, and a sign of our belonging to her.
Yes. When you are enrolled, it must be with the Brown Scapular, however, no special reason is needed today to substitute it afterwards with the Scapular Medal. The Scapular Medal, which has an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on one side and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the other, also maintains the perpetual blessing from your enrollment.
Although the Brown Scapular is the most revered of scapulars, with its connection to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, her promise, and affiliation with the Carmelite Order, various other scapulars express affiliation with other orders and particular devotions.
