Medals and Scapulars: The Brown Scapular

The covenant of marriage in which two souls destined to spend their lives together with a commitment to love, cherish and support each other is invariably crowned with a wedding ring or a thali. This tangible symbol is a sign of the pledge of eternal union and fidelity regardless of life’s circumstances.

In a similar vein, medals and scapulars symbolize a strong spiritual connection and an eternal bond we have forged with Jesus through Mary and His saints. Ironically, Catholics who wear them have been harshly criticised by many who misconstrue them as objects of worship or some kind of lucky charm . One can only say that such claims calling them idolatotorous or demonic stem from a sketchy understanding of faith. The truth is these are Sacramentals representing the individual’s faith and a lifelong commitment to a godly way of living. They are not linked to any magical protection nor are they any kind of superstition. The intent of this article is to offer a peek into the most renowned Sacramental, the Brown Scapular, which through centuries has been recommended by Popes as spiritual embellishments for the faithful.

The History of the Brown Scapular

Mount Carmel has always held a place of special significance in Christian history. Steeped in reverence, this is the location where Prophet Elijah proved in a massive showdown to King Ahab and the prophets of the false god Baal that Yahweh is the one true God and there’s no one apart from Him. When the prophets of Baal persistently prayed asking Baal to send fire to consume their offerings of bull, there was no answer. However, in response to Prophet Elijah’s prayer, Our God sent fire to consume the sacrifice, the wood and the stones (1 Kings 18). Since this major event, Mount Carmel, imbued in holiness, has evoked strong emotions and drawn monks who desired a life of prayer and penance. This ultimately led to the founding of the Carmelite order in the 12^th century. Later permission was granted to open the religious community in Europe too. However, in Europe, the Mount Carmel Order was in danger of fading into oblivion. It was during this critical period, a man of virtue named Simon Stock sought Our Lady’s help through fervent prayers to prevent the disappearance of the Order. His entreaties paid off when the Most Holy Virgin appeared to him in 1251 and gave him the Brown Scapular. She promised, “Take, my most beloved son, the Scapular of your order, a sign of my fraternal friendship with you, a privilege for thee and all Carmelites. Those who die wearing the Scapular shall not suffer the fires of hell. It shall be a sign of salvation, support and protection in dangers and an alliance of peace forever.”

(Note of Caution: The historical authenticity of the exact wording is debated. The words “Those who die wearing the Scapular shall not suffer the fires of hell” do not imply that merely wearing the Scapular guarantees escape from hell. In order for the Scapular to be effective, one must lead a true Christian life, believe in Christ as our only Lord and Saviour, remain in grace and embrace a life of prayer and virtue.)

Following this supernatural encounter were periods of great glory for the Carmelite order in answer to St Simon Stock’s plea. Originally, the Scapular was for the exclusive use of the Carmelite religious order, later the Church decided to extend its benefits to the laity. Soon a great number of miracles and conversions were reported by the faithful attributing them to the use of the Scapular. Some of them are:

1. Soon after St Simon Stock received the Scapular from Our Lady, he was asked to assist a dying man who was in a state of deep despair. As soon as St Simon imposed the Scapular on him and asked Our Lady to keep the promises she made, he instantly repented, confessed and died in a state of grace.
2. In his life and at the time of his death, St Alphonsus Liguori was wearing the Brown Scapular. When his body was exhumed for the process of beatification, it was found that his body and his habit were reduced to ashes. The Scapular on the other hand remained intact. This is now preserved in Rome.
3. An Irish boy was out in the sea in a small boat with two other boys. The mischievous boys rocked the boat frightening this little boy. The poor boy fell into the sea and was on the cusp of drowning. At that moment, the boy remembered the Scapular he was wearing as a sign of protection in danger. Soon, he felt something pulling at his neck. It was the Scapular and the very next moment he found himself on dry land. The curious bystanders examined the boy and were astonished to find the strings drenched and the cloth of the Scapular dry as not a drop of water fell on it.
4. In the 1950s, there was a breakout of fire in an entire row of homes in West-Boden, Germany. The devout residents of a two-family home immediately secured a Scapular to the main door of the house. Sparks flew over it and around it, but the house remained unharmed. Within five hours, 22 homes were razed down.

Note of Caution: The above miraculous encounters shared by those concerned find place in devotional literature. It must be remembered that they are not official dogmatic claims endorsed by the Church.

On wearing the Scapular

The Scapular does not operate independently but is effective only through faith, repentance and grace. With this insight, the individual can wear the Scapular:

• To reap the benefits of wearing a Scapular, one must have it imposed on her / him by a Catholic priest. In the event of danger of death and when it may seem hard to find a Catholic priest, a lay man can impose the Scapular reciting a prayer to Our Lady and using a Scapular already blessed.
• The Scapular must be worn every moment even at night and is to be removed only while bathing without having to lose the benefits of the Scapular.
• The Scapular is blessed only once during the imposition for the entire lifetime. There’s no need to bless each Scapular a person wears subsequently after the imposition.
• Any priest or deacon can bless the Scapular using one of the formulas for the blessing given in the Roman ritual.

The Sabbatine Privilege and the Church’s standpoint

The Sabbatine privilege is another prerogative attached to the Brown Scapular further augmenting its significance and adding more spiritual depth. In her apparition to Pope John XXII, Our Lady gave this Sabbatine privilege:

“I, The Mother of Mercy, will descend to purgatory, on the first Saturday after his death and will deliver him and take him to the holy mountain of eternal life.”

However, the Sabbatine Bull is a devotional, not a dogma and must be examined with careful consideration. The Church allows its promotion as a means to foster Marian devotion and does in no way state that automatic release from purgatory is guaranteed by just being Scapular invested. In fact, in 1613, the Holy Office permitted the promotion of its use by Carmelites only moderately. Conforming to the Church’s teaching, the Carmelites emphasize the importance of living in grace, observing chastity(according to one’s state in life) and daily prayer. They never speak of the Scapular as a singular means to secure quick release from purgatory.

In a person’s life, there are moments when human consolation cannot avail and navigating life’s storms requires immense courage and strength. It’s in those phases of intense adversity when we must anchor ourselves in faith that we need a quiet reminder of God’s reassuring presence. And that’s exactly what the Brown Scapular does. It jogs our memory of God’s promise that he will be with us till the end and His reward for those who remain steadfast in faith. In today’s perilous world where evil is so ubiquitous, the relevance of the Brown Scapular cannot be overstated. When worn with faith and a true commitment to holy life, it can prepare us to receive God’s bountiful graces.