Carmel, as the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has always seen in the scapular her garment. We can best understand this if we consider that clothing has always, and especially in the Middle Ages, had a dual symbolic meaning:
- As a sign of belonging to my Lord and protector, whom I serve, and to whose protection I entrust myself.
- A symbol of inner life, spiritual values, and an expression of like-mindedness with someone. Scripture similarly reflects this when it uses the expression to put on Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).
Carmel understood the scapular in the following ways:
- It is a sign of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary (consecratio Mariae) and indicates the mutual relationships between her and Carmel. Mary gives Carmel her love and protection; Carmel serves her out of love, seeks refuge in her, and pays her honor and respect. The love is mutual and eternal.
- It suggests that we wish to clothe ourselves in the Virgin Mary and to adorn ourselves with her virtues. To live in an inner, always current, intimate relationship with her, and through her with God. In this way, all elements of Carmelite Marian devotion are linked to the scapular.
The spiritual significance of the scapular was best captured by the reform of the order in Tours in the 17th century. Its expression can be summarized according to the book by P. Matěj of St. John, On True Devotion to the Scapular:
First, it should be noted that Carmel is destined by special divine providence for the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The scapular is very suitable for this, among other things, and it has been approved by ecclesiastical authority.
- It is a signum salutis – A SIGN OF SALVATION. God, with regard to human nature, uses external signs in granting spiritual graces, which we best see in the sacraments. Among other signs, the scapular is also a sacramental, as it encourages our faith and piety, thus leading to sanctification.
- Signum peculiaris servitutis erga Virginem mundi Dominam – A SIGN OF SPECIAL SERVICE TO THE VIRGIN, LADY OF THE WORLD. The ritual of handing over the scapular during the religious profession is accompanied by the words: "Receive the yoke of Christ, which does not weigh heavily, and the burden which does not tire." So may everyone who receives the scapular also understand it as a pleasant yoke and a light burden of Mary. To her, our Lady, the eyes of our minds should be directed.
- Signaculum – A BADGE placed by the most holy Virgin on the heart of each who wears it... May Mary's name be as often in the heart and on the lips as (after God) all our deeds should aim at her honor, so that those who wear the scapular have a badge by which the Mother of God recognizes them as her own.
- Memoriale sanctissimae Virginis – A REMEMBRANCE OF THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN, so that we often turn our hearts to her with aspirations. The scapular is a reminder of God's presence, just like the tassels on the garments of the Jews (Numbers 15:38–39). We can say that in it we see a reminder of the continuous moral presence of Mary for those who strive to walk through life with Mary and seek her help in temptation.
- Signum foederis et pacti sempiterni – A SIGN OF AN ETERNAL COVENANT BETWEEN MARY AND THOSE WHO WEAR IT.
- Signum confraternitatis eius – A SIGN OF HER BROTHERHOOD (SISTERHOOD) and also a sign that the one who wears it is in some way an adoptive son of the holy Virgin. After all, the scapular is a sign of the commitment to clothe oneself in Mary's virtues (St. Bonaventure: "Clothe yourselves in Mary, you who love her, and may she shine in your morals and radiate in your deeds"). We may not be far from the truth in stating that by introducing her virtues into our lives, we fullest and at the same time expand her maternal care.
- What we have said so far shows how the scapular strongly, but not forcefully, rather gently reminds the wearer to follow the virgin Mother – ad obsequium Virginis Matris, an idea already suggested by the cords on the shoulders. As if Mary were saying: I will draw them with human ties, the cords of love (Hosea 11:4). Indeed, she draws us to salvation through the graces received willingly, for love must be mutual.
- Finally, the scapular is also a means of quicker release from purgatory; it is salus in periculis – A SALVATION IN DANGERS, from which it protects and also helps to overcome. Experience shows what a unique weapon it is even directly against the devil.
[According to his writing Speculum from 1680, Devotio Mariana pp. 204–206]
Spiritual Gifts
- Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the promise of her special love and protection, especially at the hour of death.
- Connection to the Carmelite family, to its spiritual journey, and the mutual sharing of all prayers and spiritual gifts arising from this.
- The care of the Blessed Virgin Mary for those consecrated to her even after death (Release from purgatory, especially on Saturday, the day of the Blessed Virgin – so-called sabbatical privilege).
Obligations
Connected with wearing the scapular do not impose under sin, as it is a voluntary matter of love.
- To receive the blessed scapular.
- As far as possible, though not mandatory, to carry the scapular or medal with oneself, having on the front the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the back the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus.
- The main obligation is to "clothe oneself in the Virgin Mary," to follow her and through her Jesus Christ, and to unite one's inner life with her in love.
- To obtain the Saturday privilege, it was previously prescribed to observe the Marian office, or fast from meat on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Today the rosary is preferred, in order to combine two things dear to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In any case, we should strive greatly for the virtue of purity.
Regulations Regarding Wearing the Scapular
- The scapular can be blessed with the sign of the cross and puts on every priest.
- It can be made from any brown fabric.
- Upon reception, the blessed scapular is necessary. Furthermore, either a scapular or medal is worn, and their wearing is not absolutely necessary to gain privileges and indulgences. Other scapulars are not blessed, but each medal needs to be blessed, as the scapular only replaces it.
Ecclesiastical Indulgences
Those who have consecrated themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary by receiving the scapular can obtain plenary indulgences under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father), when they make or at least privately renew their promise to faithfully fulfill the established obligations:
The reception of partial indulgences depends on the personal disposition of the recipient, in all spiritual acts associated with the sign of consecration, that is, with the scapular.
P. Metoděj Minařík, O.Carm.
* Aspirational prayer is a simplified breath prayer, a breath of the soul. A brief, simple, and loving glance toward God, connected with words – or without them. Over time it simplifies and lengthens, until it eventually reaches a constant and obvious resting in God.
