This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color green .
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, revered as the patroness of the Carmelite Order and widely associated with the spiritual protection offered through the Brown Scapular.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, honored under this title due to her historical association with the Carmelite Order, which originated from hermits dwelling on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land following the tradition of the prophet Elijah. She is revered as the spiritual mother and patroness of the Carmelites, and is widely known for the devotion of the Brown Scapular, which, according to tradition, she revealed to Saint Simon Stock in 1251, promising special graces and protection to those who wear it devoutly and live according to its spiritual significance. This Marian title emphasizes her continued intercession and guidance for believers, particularly those seeking a deeper spiritual life and adherence to God's will, offering a profound symbol of her maternal care and solidarity with humanity.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a venerable title bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, deeply rooted in the history of the Carmelite Order and revered throughout the Catholic Church. This devotion traces its origins back to the prophetic mountain of Carmel in the Holy Land, a place long associated with the Prophet Elijah, who famously defended the worship of the one true God against the prophets of Baal. Inspired by Elijah’s zeal and drawn to a life of contemplative prayer, a group of hermits settled on Mount Carmel in the 12th century, dedicating their lives to God under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They built a chapel in her honor, establishing a spiritual lineage that would eventually formalize into the Carmelite Order. From their earliest days, these hermits held Mary in profound veneration, seeing her as the perfect model of contemplation and purity, truly the 'Star of the Sea' guiding them through life's challenges. Their very identity became intertwined with this mountain and its spiritual guardian, Mary, whom they saw as their mother and patroness, ever interceding for them before God.
In the mid-13th century, the Carmelite Order faced a time of profound crisis. Driven from the Holy Land by the Saracens, they sought refuge in Europe, but there, too, their very existence was threatened. Opposition mounted, and their unique way of life, rooted in contemplative solitude, seemed out of step with the changing times. The very future of the Carmelites hung precariously in the balance. It was during this period of immense trial that Saint Simon Stock, the venerable Prior General of the Order, poured out his heart in fervent prayer. He sought divine intervention, a sign of hope, a tangible assurance that their beloved Order would endure and flourish under the protection of their Heavenly Mother.
On July 16, 1251, while Saint Simon Stock was deep in prayer at Aylesford, England, a vision of sublime beauty unfolded before him. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared, radiant and majestic, surrounded by a multitude of angels. In her hands, she held a piece of woolen cloth, brown in color, which would forever after be known as the Brown Scapular. Her gaze was tender, her voice filled with maternal love and profound assurance as she spoke to him words that would echo through the centuries and bring solace to countless souls.
"Receive, my beloved son, this Scapular of thy Order, a sign of my confraternity, a privilege for thee and for all Carmelites," she declared, her voice resonating with divine authority. "Whoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of an everlasting covenant." With these words, she extended the precious garment to him, a tangible symbol of her protection and a spiritual armor for all who would embrace it with devotion and live a life consecrated to her Son.
This miraculous apparition and the giving of the Brown Scapular marked a turning point for the Carmelite Order. It was a clear sign of Our Lady's unwavering patronage and a powerful affirmation of their charism. The Scapular became a visible sign of their special relationship with Mary, embodying their commitment to her and her promise of salvation and protection. It instilled new courage and renewed zeal within the struggling Order, helping them to overcome the adversities they faced and to grow in number and influence.
Beyond the Carmelite Order, the Brown Scapular quickly spread throughout the Christian world, becoming one of the most beloved and widely practiced Marian devotions. Millions of the faithful, recognizing the profound maternal care of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, have embraced this simple garment as a sign of their consecration to Mary and a pledge of her intercession. It serves as a constant reminder to live a life pleasing to God, to imitate Mary's virtues, and to trust in her powerful advocacy, revealing her character as a loving mother who desires the salvation and spiritual well-being of all her children.
Thus, the legend of the Brown Scapular is not merely a historical anecdote but a living testament to Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s enduring presence and powerful intercession in the lives of believers. It exemplifies her profound care for souls, her role as a guide to her Son, and her unwavering commitment to those who seek her maternal protection. Her gift of the Scapular remains a beacon of hope, a symbol of divine mercy, and a testament to her ongoing role as the Mother of the Church, continually drawing us closer to Christ through her immaculate heart.
February 11, 1950
No one, certainly, who is enrolled in the Confraternity of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, will fail to derive great benefit from a letter which we are sending to Our beloved son, the Prior General of the Carmelite Order, on the occasion of the seventh centenary of the institution of the Holy Scapular. We have written it with paternal solicitude, for it treats of a matter which is of the greatest importance for the spiritual life of the faithful.
From the very beginning of Our Pontificate, We have never ceased to encourage devotion to the Mother of God, and We have done so with a special affection, for We know full well how great a help it is in promoting faith, piety, and the Christian life. And it is a source of no little joy to Us to see that this devotion has never failed to increase among the faithful, especially in these times, when so many dangers threaten the salvation of souls.
Among the many forms of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, that of the Holy Scapular of Carmel holds a special place. It is a devotion which, if properly understood and practiced, can lead to great spiritual benefits. For it is a sign of consecration to the Mother of God, a pledge of her maternal protection, and a mark of belonging to the Carmelite Family, which is dedicated to her honor and service. It is a devotion which teaches us to imitate the virtues of Mary, especially her humility, purity, and obedience, and to live a life of prayer and sacrifice.
The Holy Scapular is a powerful reminder of the dignity of the Christian life, and of the need to live in conformity with the Gospel. It is a sign of our hope in the maternal mediation of Mary, and of our trust in her powerful intercession. It is a sign of our desire to be clothed with Christ, and to live a life worthy of our calling as children of God. It is a sign of our commitment to a life of prayer, penance, and charity.
We therefore exhort all Our beloved sons and daughters, especially those who are enrolled in the Confraternity of the Holy Scapular, to live up to the responsibilities which this devotion entails. Let them strive to imitate the virtues of Mary, and to live a life of holiness, in conformity with the Gospel. Let them have recourse to her maternal protection in all their needs, and let them be confident that she will never abandon them.
And let them remember that the Scapular is not a magical charm, nor a guarantee of salvation without effort. It is a sign of our commitment to a life of prayer and penance, and of our trust in the maternal protection of Mary. It is a means of grace, which can help us to grow in holiness, and to attain eternal salvation. But it requires our cooperation, our effort, and our fidelity.
We earnestly pray that all who wear the Holy Scapular may, through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, be strengthened in their faith, inflamed with charity, and enabled to persevere in holiness until the end. And we impart to all of them, as a pledge of heavenly graces, Our Apostolic Blessing.
Wearing the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a sign of consecration to Mary and a pledge of her protection.
This tradition stems from the apparition of Our Lady to Saint Simon Stock in 1251, where she gave him the Brown Scapular with a promise of salvation for those who wear it devoutly.
Enrollment in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular, an association of the faithful who commit to living the Carmelite spirituality according to their state in life.
This formal enrollment deepens the commitment to the devotion of the Brown Scapular and the spiritual benefits associated with it, linking individuals more closely to the Carmelite charism.
Public processions and elaborate street festivals, often featuring statues of Our Lady of Mount Carmel carried through towns and cities.
These lively celebrations express communal devotion and gratitude to Our Lady, particularly strong in regions with historical ties to Italian immigration and culture, such as parts of the United States.
The 'Sabbatine Privilege,' a pious belief that Our Lady will intercede to release souls from Purgatory on the first Saturday after their death, provided they have worn the Scapular faithfully and observed certain conditions.
This belief is based on a bull attributed to Pope John XXII (though its authenticity is debated, the privilege itself has been endorsed by the Church as a pious belief) and further emphasizes the protective aspect of the Scapular.
Blessing of Brown Scapulars during Masses on the feast day, allowing new wearers to be formally invested in the devotion.
The blessing and enrollment ceremony are integral to receiving the spiritual graces associated with the Brown Scapular, marking a formal acceptance of the devotion.