THE MARIAN SOCIETIES THAT USE AND PROMOTE THE BROWN SCAPULARDEVOTION
The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is worn by members of several Marian societies, fostering devotion to Mary within the Catholic Church. Some of these include:
1. The Confraternity of the Brown Scapular (Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
1.1 The Name
In Nigeria, we refer to the Scapular Confraternity or the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular as the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The reason is to lay emphasis on the person of Our Lady of Mount Carmel around whom we express our true and genuine devotion through the use of the Brown Scapular and the Rosary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This is in line with the main reason of the formation of the Confraternity, which is to serve, praise and honour Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a public association of baptized Catholics – clerics, religious (who are not Carmelites) and lay (single, married or widowed), regardless of age and profession – who have been invested or clothed with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is the Religious Habit of the Carmelite Religious in its miniature form. For many centuries, many Bishops, Priests, Religious and Lay people have enrolled themselves into this Confraternity that is the “only one common public association of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
1.2 Origin
The Confraternity of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the oldest and most well-known Scapular Confraternity. It traces back to the 13th century. In 1251, Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite, and gave him the Brown Scapular with the Scapular Promised that “Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” This promise was to the Carmelite Religious. The quest by the laymen to enjoy the privileges of the Carmelites including the protection and intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel made the lay people to ask for the Carmelite Scapular to wear. Since they were not religious, they could not be given the Carmelite Habit. This led to what we call today the Brown Scapular, which is used by lay people and priests and religious who ae not Carmelites.
The fact is that, at first only the religious of the Carmelite Order, that is, the Carmelite Friars and the Carmelite Nuns, and then those who belonged to the Third Order, had been allowed to wear the Brown Scapular and to share in the privileges and indulgences attached to it. Eventually the privilege was extended to the Confraternity, so that lay people could also wear the Scapular, which was considered a “miniature habit” carrying the same privileges that Mary gave the Carmelite Order. Saints like St. John Bosco were buried in the scapular, showing its esteem.
and enjoy Our Lady’s protection.
1.3 Growth of the Confraternity
Since the 13th century, the Brown Scapular has been regarded as a sign that the wearer has dedicated himself to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a special way. Early confraternity records from Florence, Italy, 1280-1298, show members meeting to pray for perseverance and a good death.
By the 14th century, many laypeople joined the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular. By the 17th century the Brown Scapular became universally known among Catholics. The spread of this devotion was due in great part to the popes of the 16th and 17th centuries, who promulgated the Sabbatine Privilege and approved the Confraternity of the Scapular for all dioceses. The scapular became a popular devotion, with popes approving its use and granting indulgences. And forcenturies now, innumerable Catholics have been placing themselves under Mary’s protection by becoming enrolled in the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This confraternity has long been one of the largest organizations within the Catholic Church, encompassing countless souls across the globe and over several centuries, who by this simple means become members of her special family by affiliating themselves with the Order of Carmel.
Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel wants everyone to wear the Brown Scapular. When Sister Lucia was asked in an interview why the Blessed Virgin appeared at Fatima as Our Lady of Mount Carmel in her last apparition, she replied, “Because Our Lady wants all to wear the Scapular.” Surely, as Sister Lucia said, Our Lady wants everyone to wear the Scapular. Those who wear Our Lady’s garment dispose themselves to graces that will assist them to live a life that is pleasing to God and therefore conducive to their own salvation and that of others.
1.4 Privileges of the Confraternity
Over the centuries it received several privileges from the Church. The most prominent were:
i. Affiliation with the Carmelite Order
By being enrolled in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular, the members are aggregated to the Carmelite Order. That means sharing in the prayers, Masses, and spiritual goods and merits of the whole Carmelite family. This is a great spiritual privilege that the Church continues to recognize up till today.
Today, the Confraternity is not just being affiliated to the Carmelite Order but it is the only Confraternity in the Catholic Church that is entirely and exclusively consecrated and entrusted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Hence, the only Confraternity that bears the name Our Lady of Mount Carmel and centres its devotions to Our Lady of Mount Carmel through the Brown Scapular which the members wear not only as a sign of entrusting themselves to the protection of the Mother of God who crushed the head of the serpent in Gen 3:15 but also as a sign of participating in the spirituality and charism of the Carmelite Order.
The Confraternity does not belong to any one branch of the Order (the Carmelite Friars, the Carmelite Nuns and the Secular Carmelites) but to the entire Carmelite Family. Therefore, it enjoys some special and pastoral care and guidance of the Carmelite Friars, the Carmelite Nuns and the Secular Carmelites. In fact, the Constitutions of the Carmelite Friars stipulate that the Friars must count “the care of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel … among the apostolic works most in consonance with the Carmelite Order.” That is why the Apostolate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Brown Scapular Devotion, acting in the name of the Order in Nigeria, takes the promotion of devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the formation of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel very seriously. It does not only establish the Confraternity but also gives it and all its members spiritual and pastoral assistance.The Nuns and the Secular Carmelites also have their contributions to make so that the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is up to date with its spirituality and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. That makes it so special to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Carmelite Order that received the Scapular from the hand of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
1.5 Indulgences
Over the centuries, the Scapular has been enriched with many indulgences and privileges by numerous popes, including Sixtus IV, Gregory X, Clement VII, Clement X, Leo XI, Leo XIII, St. Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI, and Pius XII. Popes Clement VII and Clement X decreed that all who wear the scapular participate in a special manner not only in the fruits of the spiritual works of the Carmelites, but also in all the good done throughout the entire Church. Pope Sixtus IV granted to members of the Scapular Confraternity all the privileges, indulgences, graces and favors which are granted to the cord of St. Francis, to the Rosary of Our Lady, or to any confraternity whatsoever “so that they do enjoy them as much as if they were really members of these sodalities.” A plenary indulgence at enrolment, on feast days of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and at the hour of death, under the usual conditions. Partial indulgences for acts of piety done while wearing the scapular. The 1885 decree of the Congregation of Indulgences clarified that wearing the small scapular entitles one to the indulgences of the Third Order.
2 Universal Extension and Approval
In 1726, Pope Benedict XIII extended the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) to the universal Church, which boosted the Confraternity. Remember that Popes in the 16th-17th centuries approved the Confraternity for every diocese, making it a universal Catholic devotion.
3 Protection and Spiritual Benefits
As the Church recognized the scapular as a sacramental sign of Mary’s protection, members of the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, therefore had the privilege of enjoying:
a. Mary’s protection in danger
b. Mary’s maternal intercession and mediation of grace
c. A constant reminder of consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart
iv. What the Confraternity is enjoying today
The following are some of the spiritual benefits that members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel enjoy now:
a. Sharing in all the spiritual treasures, Masses, prayers, sacrifices and good works of the Carmelite Order throughout the world. (Just think of the merits of all the holy Masses offered by all our many Carmelite Priests and the ones offered in all the Carmelite monasteries and convents of Friars and Nuns each day throughout the world. Also think of spiritual benefits of the holy communion, mortifications, fasts, prayers of all the Carmelite Friars, Nuns, Seculars and other members of the Carmelite Family. This is really a great treasure and privilege).
b. Sharing in the patronage and maternal protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who is the Patroness and Protectress of the Carmelite Order and all Brown Scapular wearers.
c. Participating during life, at the hour of death, and after death in all the prayers, penances, and good works of the numerous members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel spread throughout the world.
d. Enjoying the prayers, entreaties and intercessions of both the numerous Carmelite saints and the ‘Scapular saints.’ The Carmelite saints are saints of the Carmelite Order and they include St. Teresa of Jesus, St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus (all doctors of the Church), St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, etc. The ‘Scapular saints’ are the saints who were not members of the Carmelite Order but were so much devoted to the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Here are some of them: St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. John Bosco, etc.
e. Sharing in the blessings and favours that Our Lady of Mount Carmel bestows on her beloved brothers and sisters, children, and devotees who wear her Brown Scapular, which came to be known as the garment of graces and salvation. Most of the favours granted by Our Lady are miracles of conversion, healing, protection from harm and, protection of houses and properties.
f. Gaining numerous plenary and partial indulgences (upon fulfilment of conditions). Plenary indulgences could be gained:
I. on the day the faithful receive the Scapular and enter the Confraternity;
II. on the feast days of:
a) St. Simon Stock, May 16;
b) Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16;
c) St. Elijah, July 20;
d) St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, October 1 (but October 3 in Nigeria);
e) St. Teresa of Avila, October 15;
f) All Carmelite Saints, November 14;
g) All Carmelite Souls, November 15, and
h) St. John of the Cross, December 14;
III. on the feasts of:
a. Pentecost;
b. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15;
c. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 8.
Partial indulgences are received through the devout use of the Scapular, for instance, Kissing of the Scapular, and for visiting a Carmelite Church on special occasions.
2. The Association of Mary Queen of All Hearts:
The Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts, is a Catholic Marian Association. It is dedicated to promoting the reign of Jesus Christ through Mary in a special way. It aims at bringing about the reign of Jesus Christ through Mary by embracing the spirituality and teachings of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort. Its members are committed to living out their baptismal vows through total consecration to Christ by the hands of Mary. They practice true devotion to Mary as taught by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, which involves Daily Renewal of Consecration, and Prayer and Reflection in order to deepen their relationship with Christ and Mary.
As the Association is organically united to the Company of Mary, a religious community founded by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, its members participate in the spiritual riches of the Montfortian family and celebrate liturgical feasts together, such as the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25) and the Immaculate Conception (December 8). By virtue of being part of the Carmelite Family through the Brown Scapular investiture, they also share in and enjoy the spiritual riches and patrimony of the Carmelite Order. Hence, they use the Brown Scapular as a symbol of consecration to the maternal care and guidance of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
3. The World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army)
The World Apostolate of Fatima is one of the pious organizations in the Catholic Church. Its origins trace back to the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal. The purpose of the Apostolate is to promote and spread the message of and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. Hence, focused on spreading the messages of Fatima, this group encourages prayer, penance, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, with members wearing the Brown Scapular as part of their commitment to Mary’s call for conversion.
The members of the World Apostolate of Fatima strive to fulfil the Fatima Conditions by doing the following:
i. Daily praying of the Rosary
ii. Wearing the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
iii. Making Reparation for Sins
iv. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart: Promoting devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as a means of salvation for souls.
v. The Five First Saturdays: This includes going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, praying five decades of the Rosary, and meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary.
The members enjoy many spiritual benefits which include:
i. obtaining numerous indulgences through the Rosary and the Brown Scapular,
ii. being eligible for the Sabbatine Privilege, that is, one of the Brown Scapular Privileges,
iii. sharing in the prayers of the other members of the World Apostolate of Fatima.
4. The Block Rosary Crusade
The Block Rosary Crusade is one of the pious societies in the Catholic Church. It is an association of Catholics who fight evil and sin with the Rosary under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It originated in Nigeria whose main objective is to follow and fulfill the Fatima Message of 1917:
i. The daily recitation of the Rosary
ii. The steady wearing of the Brown Scapular
iii. Daily sacrifices for sinners
iv. Communion of reparation on the First Saturday of every month
v. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
According to the Handbook of the Block Rosary Crusade, Nigeria, the Block Rosary Crusadewas founded by Our Lady of the Rosary herself, when, in the sixth apparition at Fatima (October 13, 1917), she declared herself as Our Lady of the Rosary and asked that a Chapel be built at Cova da Iria in her honour. That chapel, erected for prayer, has become the first ever Block Rosary Crusade Centre that existed before it spread to all over the world.
The Block Rosary Crusade spreads devotion to the Rosary in homes and communities in blocks, hence, the name “Block” Rosary Crusade. It gathers her members daily at various centreswith the sole intention of love of Jesus, conversion of sinners, and to make reparation for the offences committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the ever Virgin.
While primarily focusing on the Rosary, participants combine it with devotion to the Brown Scapular, seeking Mary’s intercession and protection.
And according to Lucia dos Santos OCD, “one could not follow the Message of Fatima unless he fulfilled the Five Conditions, one of which is the wearing of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel all the time, day and night.” Hence, the said Handbook stress that “the steady wearing of the Brown Scapular is one of the Conditions of Fatima and is thus an important part of the life of Block Rosary Crusade.”
The Block Rosary Crusade:
i. Deepens devotion to Mary and fosters a stronger prayer life,
ii. Encourages unity and community in prayer,
iii. Promotes peace, conversion, and protection for individuals and communities,
iv. Provides a simple, powerful way to pray the Rosary with others,
v. Strengthens faith and trust in God’s mercy.
What these Marian Associations have in common
These Marian Associations, which encourage spiritual growth, prayer, and service, while emphasizing Mary’s maternal care through the Brown Scapular, have the following in common:
1. They use the Brown Scapular as their ‘official Scapular.’ The Brown Scapular is a physical symbol of belonging to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel because she has chosen us. And because she has chosen us, she:
i. has clothed us with her garment of love as she clothed Christ with her flesh out of love.
ii. teaches us to think and behave like her so as to develop what we call the Marian mentality and attitude.
2. They are part of the Carmelite Family. Hence, Pope St. John Paul II said that wearing the Scapular brings individuals into the “land of Carmel,” allowing them to “eat its fruits and its good things” (Jer 2:7), and experience Mary’s loving presence in their lives. So, all those who Associations whose members have been invested with the Brown Scapular are part of the Carmelite Order whether they are Carmelite Friars or Nuns, or they belong to the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or the Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts, or the World Apostolate of Fatima, or the Block Rosary Crusade.
3. They share in the life and spirit of the Carmelite Order because, as they use the Brown Scapular, they practice some form of Carmelite Spirituality. However, they do not enjoy the spiritual care of the Carmelite Nuns and Secular Carmelites except the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
4. They have a share in the spiritual goods, riches and heritage of the Carmelite Order.
5. They also enjoy the spiritual care and support of the Apostolate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular Devotion since the Brown scapular has brought them into the Carmelite Order which is the custodian of the Brown scapular in the Church.