Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue in Chile with a Brown Scapular

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The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (also known as the Brown Scapular) is the habit of
both the Carmelite Order and the Discalced Carmelite Order, both of which have Our Lady of Mount
Carmel as their patroness. In its small form, it is widely popular within the Latin Rite of the Catholic
[1]

Church as a religious article and has probably served as the prototype of all the other devotional
scapulars. The liturgical feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, is popularly associated with
the devotion of the Scapular.
According to the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship, the Brown Scapular is "an external sign
of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount
Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her
maternal intercession, who are mindful of the primacy of the spiritual life and the need for prayer." [2]

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Historical difficulties
 2Appearance
 3Enrollment
 4Third Order and Confraternity
 5Official teaching
 6Associated beliefs
o 6.1Promises of the scapular
 7See also
 8Notes and references
 9External links

History[edit]
In its origin as a practical garment, a scapular was a type of work apron, frequently used by monks,
consisting of large pieces of cloth front and back joined over the shoulders with strips of cloth. It
forms part of the habit of some religious orders including the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of
Mount Carmel, the Carmelites. The first Carmelite hermits who lived on Mount Carmel in the Holy
Land in the 12th century are thought to have worn a belted tunic and striped mantle typical of
pilgrims; when the Carmelites moved to Europe in the mid 13th century and became a mendicant
order of friars they adopted a new habit that included a brown belted tunic, brown scapular, a hood
called a capuche, and white mantle. [3]

In the Middle Ages, a habit was a very essential part of the identity of members of religious orders.
To remove one's habit was tantamount to leaving the Order. The Carmelite Constitution of 1369
[3]

stipulates automatic excommunication for Carmelites who say Mass without a scapular, while the
Constitutions of 1324 and 1294 consider it a serious fault to sleep without the scapular. [4]

According to Hugh Clarke, O.Carm, "The origins of the Scapular devotion are to be found in the
desires of lay people during the Middle ages to be closely associated with the Carmelite Order and
its spirituality." It was customary for laypeople who belonged to confraternities, sodalities, or third
[5]

orders affiliated with the religious orders to wear some sign of membership, frequently some part
derived from the religious habit such as a cord, cloak or scapular. During part of their history, the lay
affiliates of the Carmelites wore the white mantle which the friars wore, or even the full habit. The [3]

small brown scapular and Mary's promise of salvation for the wearer, began to be promoted to the
laity in the form we are familiar with today by Giovanni Battista Rossi, prior general of the Carmelites
from 1564-1578. [6]

Discalced Carmelite nuns from Argentina wearing the Brown Scapular

The Carmelite scapular is said to have been very widespread in European countries at the end of
the 16th century. In 1600, the Carmelite Egidio Leoindelicato da Sciacca published a book called
[7]

"Giardino Carmelitano" which includes the formulas of blessing for the Fratelli and Sorelle della
Compagnia della Madonna del Carmine (laypeople who received the complete habit of the order)
and the formula for the blessing of the scapular for the Devoti della Compagnia Carmelitana. This is
the earliest apparent form of blessing for the small scapular. It is also noteworthy that the formula for
the sisters contains no reference to the scapular, while in that for the brothers there is a special
blessing for the scapular. [8]

Historical difficulties[edit]
According to traditional accounts, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared at Cambridge to St. Simon
Stock, who was Prior General of the Carmelite Order in the middle of the 13th century. The earliest
[9]

reference to this tradition, dating from the late 14th century, states that "St. Simon was an
Englishman, a man of great holiness and devotion, who always in his prayers asked the Virgin to
favor his Order with some singular privilege. The Virgin appeared to him holding the Scapular in her
hand saying, 'This is for you and yours a privilege; the one who dies in it will be saved.'" [10]

The scapular vision to St. Simon Stock

The first mention of the vision appears in the late 14th century, almost 150 years after the date in
1251 when it is sometimes stated to have occurred, and is not noted in the earliest accounts of St.
[11]
Simon Stock's life and miracles. The history of the Carmelite habit and legislation and discussion
relating to it within the Order during that time span, do not mention nor seem to imply a tradition
about the Blessed Virgin giving the Scapular to the Carmelites, nor do the notable Carmelite writers
of the 14th century, such as John Baconthorpe, mention the scapular. History even records an
instance in 1375 when an English Carmelite named Nicholas Hornby engaged in a public debate
with a Dominican friar in which Hornby ridiculed Dominican claims to have received their habit from
the Blessed Virgin—this was a claim common to several different orders in the Middle Ages. Hornby
showed no sign of being aware of any similar claim that had been made by a fellow English
Carmelite in the preceding century. [3][12]

Amidst confusing evidence, it has been suggested that some other Carmelite than Saint Simon
[9]

Stock had a mystical vision, the story of which was later associated with him. A Dominican history
compiled by Gerard of Frachet in 1259-1260 tells of the 1237 drowning death of a holy Dominican,
Blessed Jordan of Saxony, off the coast of Acre, Israel (near Mount Carmel), and mentions "a
certain brother of the Order of Carmel" who was tempted to abandon his vocation because God had
permitted this to happen to so holy a man; Bl. Jordan was said to have appeared then to the brother
in a vision, reassuring him that "all who serve the Lord Jesus Christ to the end will be saved." Gerard
concludes: "the brother himself, and the prior of the same Order, brother Simon, a religious and
truthful man, have related these things to our friars." This story which bears a notable similarity to the
traditional story of the scapular vision and promise of salvation, with obvious differences, is one of
very few known references. [13]

Appearance[edit]

The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also called the "Brown Scapular", with gold embroidery.

One design of the Brown Scapular, with images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the Crown of Thorns, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced with a dagger.

In the current Catechesis prepared under the direction of the North American prior provincials of the
Carmelite Order and the Order of Discalced Carmelites and given imprimatur by the Archbishop of
Washington D.C., the scapular must consist of two pieces of brown cloth with one segment hanging
on the wearer's chest, and the other hanging on his/her back. These pieces are joined by two straps
or strings which overlap each shoulder—hence the word "scapular" (shoulder blade). Religious
pictures or symbols, though unnecessary, may be sewn on; this custom began in the eighteenth
century. The catechesis also acknowledged that the Scapular was formerly required to be made
from 100% wool (a rule since dropped); it further stated the habits of the Carmelite religious are also
now typically made of other, less expensive yet more practical materials. It is normally worn under [14]

the clothes but not pinned to undergarments.

Because wool deteriorates rapidly in tropical climates, since 1910 those properly invested into a
confraternity may wear a properly blessed scapular medal with the depiction of Jesus with
his Sacred Heart on one side and Mary on the obverse. However, Pope Pius X expressed his
[15]

preference for the cloth scapular. Pope Benedict XV has also proclaimed the Church's strong
preference for cloth to be worn rather than the medal. This preference is because cloth is important
to the sign value of the scapular as a garment, a habit. [12]

Enrollment[edit]
Unlike typical sacramentals, scapulars are not merely blessed, but need to be invested by a priest to
enroll the faithful.
Any Catholic priest may invest a baptised Catholic with the Brown Scapular. Lay people are unable
to bless a Scapular. There is a form of the blessing and investiture in the Book of Blessings which
will normally be found in any Catholic parish. The most recent Rite for the Blessing of and
[4]

Enrollment in the Scapular, approved in 1996 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments, is available in booklet form, the "Catechesis and Ritual for the
Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel", published in 2000 and distributed by ICS Publications. [16]

The short form of the investiture is as follows: [17][18][19]

Receive this Scapular, a sign of your special relationship with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, whom you
pledge to imitate. May it be a reminder to you of your dignity as a Christian, in serving others and
imitating Mary. Wear it as a sign of her protection and of belonging to the Family of Carmel,
voluntarily doing the will of God and devoting yourself to building a world true to his plan of
community, justice and peace.
According to a 1996 doctrinal statement approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments, "Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is bound to the history and
spiritual values of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and is
expressed through the scapular. Thus, whoever receives the scapular becomes a member of the
order and pledges him/herself to live according to its spirituality in accordance with the
characteristics of his/her state in life."
Faithful Anglicans who wish to wear the Brown Scapular are likewise invested by an Anglican
priest.
[20]

Third Order and Confraternity[edit]

Like the other mendicant orders such as the Franciscans, the Carmelites formed a "Third Order" for
lay people (the "First Order" being the friars, the "Second Order" the nuns), either married or single,
who wished to participate deeply in the spirituality and charism of the order, but remain in their
secular state of life. Those belonging to the Ancient Observance (O.Carm) branch of the Carmelites
are today known as Lay Carmelites, those belonging to the Discalced (OCD) branch of the
Carmelites are known as Secular Carmelites, members of both branches belong to communities
which meet together regularly for prayer and spiritual formation. The small Brown Scapular is the
habit of these Carmelite laity, with a larger ceremonial Scapular normally worn outside the clothes at
community meetings and official functions.
There is also a Confraternity of the Brown Scapular. According to the 1996 version of the rite of
enrollment, "The scapular confraternity of Carmel is an association of the faithful who strive for the
perfection of charity in the world in the spirit of the Carmelite Order, participate in the life of the Order
and its spiritual benefits in an intimate communion of thought, ideals, and works together with
Mary." In Europe in the past there was often a local Confraternity group which met for fellowship
[21]

and spiritual formation. Today, at least in North America, those enrolled by a priest into the
Confraternity of the Brown Scapular typically have no visible group to belong to, nor is any record
kept anymore of people thus enrolled. Some Carmelites such as Fr. Redemptus Valabek, O.Carm,
[12]

have lamented that there is no longer a central registry of names of people enrolled in the
Confraternity, and called for a return to the practice and renewed awareness of the scapular's
connection to the Carmelite community and its spirituality. [22]

The current rite of enrollment in the Brown Scapular also permits for persons to be enrolled in the
scapular without joining a Confraternity or other group. [23]

Official teaching[edit]
Carmelite scholar Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD summarizes the Catholic Church's official position
about the Brown Scapular thus: [14]
With regard to the scapular as a conventional and sacred sign, the Church has intervened at
various times in history to clarify its meaning, defend it, and confirm the privileges.
From these Church documents there emerges with sufficient clarity the nature and meaning
of the Carmelite scapular.
1. The scapular is a Marian habit or garment. It is both a sign and pledge. A sign of
[24]

belonging to Mary; a pledge of her motherly protection, not only in this life but after death.
2. As a sign, it is a conventional sign signifying three elements strictly joined: first, belonging
to a religious family particularly devoted to Mary, especially dear to Mary, the Carmelite
Order; second, consecration to Mary, devotion to and trust in her Immaculate Heart; third [25]

an incitement to become like Mary by imitating her virtues, above all her humility, chastity,
and spirit of prayer.
This is the Church's officially established connection between the sign and that which is
signified by the sign.
No mention is made of the vision of St. Simon Stock or of that of Pope John XXII in relation
to the Sabbatine Privilege, which promises that one will be released from Purgatory on the
first Saturday after death. [26]

Associated beliefs[edit]

In this statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Infant Jesus at Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Church, one of the souls in

purgatory begging for Mary's intercession appears to be wearing a Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The earliest form of the Scapular promise states simply that wearers of the
brown scapular, the Carmelite habit, will be saved. Originally, this referred
to Carmelite religious who remained faithful to their vocation. Later the
small Brown Scapular became popular with the laity as a sacramental.
The nature of the spiritual help associated with the Brown Scapular came to
be described in greater detail and specificity. A traditional formulation of the
Scapular Promise is "Take this Scapular. Whosoever dies wearing it shall
not suffer eternal fire. It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger
and pledge of peace." [27]

A central belief about the Brown Scapular is its signification of the

wearer's consecration to Mary. In 1951, Pope Pius XII wrote in an Apostolic
letter to the Carmelites on the 700th anniversary of the vision of St. Simon
Stock, that he hoped the Scapular would "be to them a sign of their
consecration to the most sacred heart of the Immaculate Virgin." [28]

Promises of the scapular[edit]

See also: Sabbatine privilege
One of the beliefs most influential in popularizing the brown scapular
devotion was a promise known as the Sabbatine privilege. It was
associated with an apocryphal Papal Bull allegedly written in 1322 by Pope
John XXII. It states that Pope John XXII had a vision of Our Lady granting
that through her special intercession, Mary will come down to personally
deliver the souls of Carmelites and Confraternity members out
of Purgatory on the first Saturday after their death ("Sabbatine" means
Saturday), as long as they fulfill certain conditions including wearing the
brown scapular. The Vatican has denied the validity of this document
[29]

since 1613, but didn't forbid the Carmelites "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 in 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." These elements are [8]

reflected in older versions of the requirements of enrollment in the

Confraternity of the Brown Scapular. [30]

At times the scapular has been preached as an easy way to heaven, which
has led to criticism of the devotion. Devotees of the Brown Scapular have
[31]

sometimes been accused of straying into superstition. The Catechism of the

Catholic Church states that sacramentals such as the Brown Scapular "do
not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do,
but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us
to cooperate with it." [32]

Believers in the traditional scapular promise sometimes argue that Mary's

intercession either grants conversion, final perseverance, and/or last rites to
the wearer, to secure the assurances of the Scapular Promise. Another
argument is that in cases of stubborn unrepentant sinners the scapular will
somehow, miraculously or not, be taken off the wearer, this was suggested
by Saint Claude de la Colombière. [33]

Today, the Carmelite Orders, while encouraging a belief in Mary's aid and
prayerful assistance for their souls beyond death and commending devotion
to Mary especially on Saturdays which are dedicated to her, explicitly state
in their official catechetical materials that they do not promulgate the
Sabbatine privilege, and are at one with official Church teaching on the
matter. [18]

See also[edit]
 Hieronymites

Notes and references[edit]

1. ^ Pope Bl. Pius XII declared in 1951 during the 700th anniversary celebrations of the vision of Our Lady to
St. Simon Stock "The Scapular is essentially a habit. The person who receives it, by virtue of accepting it, is
associated to a greater or lesser degree with the Order of Carmel." (from his Apostolic letter Neminem
profecto latet) source: Hugh Clarke, O.Carm Mary and the Brown Scapular; Carmelite Province of Our Lady
of the Assumption; Anglo Irish Province of the Discalced Carmelites, 1994. (booklet)
2. ^ Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Directory on Popular Piety and the
Liturgy. Principles and Guidelines. Vatican, 2001.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Andrew Jotischky; The Carmelites and Antiquity. Mendicants and their Pasts in the Middle
Ages. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
4. ^ Jump up to:a b Most, William. "The Brown Scapular"
5. ^ Hugh Clarke, O.Carm Mary and the Brown Scapular; Carmelite Province of Our Lady of the Assumption;
Anglo Irish Province of the Discalced Carmelites, 1994. (booklet)
6. ^ Bede Edwards, OCDS. Carmel Clarion Volume XXI, pp 17-22. "St. Simon Stock--The Scapular Vision & the
Brown Scapular Devotion." July–August 2005, Discalced Carmelite Secular Order, Washington Province.
7. ^ "La cronica Carmelitana" by the Carmelite Joseph Falcone; referenced by the Catholic Encyclopedia,
1912; Scapular
8. ^ Jump up to:a b Hilgers, Joseph. "Scapular." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1912. 22 Dec. 2014
9. ^ Jump up to:a b Louis Saggi, O.Carm; Saint Simon Stock (XIII Century) Saint, Priest ArchivedJune 13, 2010,
at the Wayback Machine - Scholarly historical information
10. ^ Eamon R. Carroll, O.Carm; Medieval Devotion to Mary Among the Carmelites
11. ^ Fr. Paul D'Souza, OCD. The Carmelite Scapular: History and Devotion - This article mentions the 17th
century forgery, probably by a Carmelite named Fr. John Cheron, of what was purported to be a fragment of
 a letter by Saint Simon Stock's secretary Peter Swanington (or Swanyngton). This "Swanington" letter was
the origin of the July 16, 1251 date for Saint Simon Stock's vision, this date having been chosen presumably
because July 16th was (and still is) the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is also the source of some
other oft-repeated details, such as the location of the vision at Cambridge, England. There is further
information and analysis on the "Swanington" forgery in a July–December, 1904 Irish Ecclesiastical Record
article by Herbert Thurston, S.J., "The Origin of the Scapular -- A Criticism.", and the letter itself is extensively
quoted at this link
12. ^ Jump up to:a b c "A Catechesis on the Brown Scapular" Archived 2016-01-09 at the Wayback Machine
13. ^ The Order of Carmelites website; Simon Stock[dead link]
14. ^ Jump up to:a b http://www.meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis
15. ^ Acta Apost. Sedis, III, 22 sq.
16. ^ Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Archived 2007-05-23 at the Wayback
Machine Prepared under the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite Orders.
2000. Online text of the Catechesis portion of this booklet Archived 2016-01-09 at the Wayback
Machine online text of the doctrinal portion of this booklet Online text of the Rite for the Blessing of and
Enrollment in the Scapular[dead link] ocarm.org
17. ^ Doctrinal Statement on the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel approved by the Congregation
for Divine Worship and for the Discipline of the Sacraments, November 29, 1996. Can be found in the
publication *Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Archived 2007-05-23 at
the Wayback Machine Prepared under the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite
Orders. 2000.
18. ^ Jump up to:a b Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Archived2007-05-23 at
the Wayback Machine Prepared under the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite
Orders. 2000. Online text of the Catechesis portion of this booklet
19. ^ joint OCD and OCarm Commission in Rome; The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1999.
20. ^ "Religious Orders". Plexus. Anglican Catholic Church. Missing or empty |url= (help)
21. ^ Furthermore, the current rules (approved 1996) for starting a canonical local confraternity is given: "The
supreme moderator of the Carmelite Order is the competent authority for the canonically established of a
confraternity. For churches belonging to the Order, the consent given by he ordinary for the canonical
establishment of the religious house is also valid for the canonical establishment of the confraternity.
However, for the canonical establishment of the confraternity in other churches or places, the written consent
of the ordinary is required.... Members are bound to set aside regularly time to be with God in prayer,
frequent participation in the Eucharist, daily recitation of one of the hours of the liturgy or of some psalms or
the rosary or other equivalent prayers. If possible, they will meet periodically to build up the sense of
fraternity, to study the spirit of Carmel, to care for brothers and sisters in need, all in union with Mary. They
may gain plenary indulgences, provided they fulfill the usual conditions, on the day they join the confraternity
and on the following feasts: the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (July 16), St Elijah, prophet (July 20),
St Simon Stock (May 16), St Therese of the Child Jesus (October 1), St Teresa of Jesus (October 15), All
Carmelite Saints (November 14), and St John of the Cross (December 14)...." Doctrinal Statement on the
Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and for the
Discipline of the Sacraments, November 29, 1996. Can be found in the publication *Catechesis and Ritual for
the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Archived 2007-05-23 at the Wayback Machine Prepared under
the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite Orders. 2000.
22. ^ Cindy Woode, Catholic News Service; The Record, Louisville KY. "Carmelites hope anniversary renews
popularity of scapular" April 26, 2001. Archived December 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
23. ^ Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catechesis and Ritual Archived 2007-05-23 at the Wayback
Machine Prepared under the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite Orders. 2000.
24. ^ Pope Pius XII declared during the 700th anniversary celebrations of the vision of Our Lady to St. Simon
Stock "The Scapular is essentially a habit. The person who receives it, by virtue of accepting it, is associated
to a greater or lesser degree with the Order of Carmel." (from his Apostolic letter Neminem profecto latet)
source: Hugh Clarke, O.Carm Mary and the Brown Scapular; Carmelite Province of Our Lady of the
Assumption; Anglo Irish Province of the Discalced Carmelites, 1994. (booklet)
25. ^ In his 2001 "Message to the Carmelite Family" on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the apparition of
Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, Pope John Paul II wrote: "This intense Marian life, which is expressed in
trusting prayer, enthusiastic praise and diligent imitation, enables us to understand how the most genuine
form of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, expressed by the humble sign of the Scapular, is consecration to her
Immaculate Heart." He also stated in the same letter: "I too have worn the Scapular of Carmel over my heart
for a long time!" Message of John Paul II to the Carmelite Family March 25, 2001
26. ^ Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, Zenit News Service. Brown Scapular: A Silent DevotionArchived 2009-05-04
at the Wayback Machine July 16, 2008.
27. ^ The International Fatima Rosary Crusade website; Heaven's Weapons
28. ^ Pope Pius XII's 1951 Apostolic letter Neminem profecto latet source: Hugh Clarke, O.Carm Mary and the
Brown Scapular; Carmelite Province of Our Lady of the Assumption; Anglo Irish Province of the Discalced
Carmelites, 1994. (booklet)
29. ^ Hilgers, Joseph. "Sabbatine Privilege." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1912. 23 Dec. 2014
30. ^ Website of Sisters of Carmel; Information about the Brown Scapular Archived 2007-01-09 at the Wayback
Machine
31. ^ Hugh Clark, O.Carm writes: "Too much stress has been placed on the promises of eternal salvation on an
individual basis. At times the scapular has been preached as an easy way to heaven, guaranteed by Mary's
promise and intervention which softened the severity of God's judgment. Any attempt to revive the true
dimension of the scapular devotion must take account of the reality that, by accepting the scapular, the
wearer is associated with the Order of Carmel and pledges himself/herself to strive to live its ideals." source:
Hugh Clarke, O.Carm Mary and the Brown Scapular; Carmelite Province of Our Lady of the Assumption;
Anglo Irish Province of the Discalced Carmelites, 1994. (booklet)
32. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church; §1670.
33. ^ Australian Catholic Truth Society; Garment of Grace. 2005. PDF edition of a booklet of traditional stories
about the Brown Scapular.[dead link]

External links[edit]
 Miracles of the Brown Scapular An Audiobook on miracles of the brown
scapular compiled from numerous sources.
 Brown Scapular "A Silent Devotion" 2008 article via Zenit news service
by Fr. Kieran Kavenaugh, OCD discusses devotion to the Brown
Scapular, the existence of historical problems, and pastoral practice
 Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel -
Booklet of catechetical information and the current form of the
ceremony of enrollment in the Brown Scapular, approved by the North
American Provincials of the Carmelite Orders; the catechesis portion
can be read online here
 Doctrinal Statement of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel "Rite of Blessing of and Enrollment in the Scapular of the
Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel" as issued and confirmed by the
Congregation for Divine Worship and for the Discipline of the
Sacraments, November 29, 1996
 Message of John Paul II to the Carmelite Family - At The 750th
Anniversary of the Bestowal of the Scapular in 2001
 750th anniversary of the bestowal of the Scapular, With Mary the
Mother of Jesus Scapular Message issued jointly by the OCD and
O.Carm Carmelite Priors General
 The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - includes a pre-
Vatican II ceremony for blessing and investiture in the Confraternity of
the Brown Scapular
 The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - A Sign of Christian
Faith & Commitment
 Lucia of Fatima's statements about the Brown Scapular - In the private
revelations at Fatima, Portugal the Blessed Virgin Mary referred to
herself as "Lady of Mount Carmel" and exhorted wearing the Brown
Scapular
 The Brown Scapular
 Stories of Mount Carmel History and spirituality of the Brown Scapular
devotion by Teresa Polk, including discussion of the historical problems
with some of the claims
 University of Dayton - Guide to the Marian devotional scapular
collection