Devotion to the Carmel Scapular
The Madonna del Carmine
The order of the Carmelite Fathers, born on Mount Carmel (in Palestine), lived following Christ inspired by the Blessed Virgin and dedicated the first chapel to it, deserving the title of the Order of the "brothers of the Madonna of Mount Carmel".
The cloud seen on Mount Carmel "as a man's hand" which indicated to Prophet Elijah the end of the drought, has always been seen as the sign of Mary who would have given Grace and graces to the world, that is, Jesus.
Mary Mother and Queen continues to be the model of that contemplative prayer that kidnapped Elijah, after listening to that "sound of a subtle silence" on the Horeb. Mary is also considered the star of the sea that leads to Jesus. But the attention to Mary has not remained closed in the cloisters of the Carmelite convents. The expansion of the Order in the world has made it possible for many people to consecrate their lives to Mary.
This consecration or entrustment, as they say today, is accomplished through a sign, the Holy Abitino, which represents the mantle of Mary under whose protection the faithful want to live. Besides, the religious habit had become over the centuries not only a manifestation of a lifestyle different from that of the world, but an identity, a recognition of the family to which it belongs. Its forge dated back to the years of the institution's birth. The service workers in those days wore a kind of apron that descended in front and behind the shoulders. It was convenient not to dirty the underlying garment and to carry fruit or material greater than the capacity of the hands. It was called a scapular because it hung from the shoulder blades. The color often indicated which family the servant belonged to.
The dress, when the Carmelites came to Europe, turned brown (the early days was striped). So does his scapular. Indeed this precisely acquired the meaning of belonging not only to an Order of Mary, but to Mary herself. Tradition makes us see it donated by the Blessed Virgin herself, in 1251, at a time of particular need as a sign of protection and predilection for the Carmelite Order and for all those who had worn it. This protection of Mary would have been a gift not only for the present life, but also for the future life. Thus was attributed to Pope John XXII ° a promise of the Blessed Virgin herself, that on the Saturday following her death, she would go down to Purgatory to free the souls covered with that Holy Dress to bring them to paradise (Sabatino Privilege).
The Church has recognized and appreciated this sign through the life of many Saints and many Supreme Pontiffs who recommended and brought it. Later, adapting to the custom of the times, the dress of the Blessed Virgin Mary was reduced in size and became a "dress", made up of two small pieces of the same fabric of the Carmelite dress, joined by tapes that allow it to be placed on the chest and behind the shoulders. Later, Pope Pius X, to meet modern needs, allowed to replace this dress with a medal bearing on one side the image of Jesus and on the other that of the Madonna.
Together with the Rosary Crown, the Holy Scapular has acquired a strong Marian sign of protection from Mary, which leads us to Jesus, and of our commitment to let ourselves be guided by her, that is, to want, at least in desire, to live like Mary and with Mary, "clothed" with Jesus.
THE SCAPULAR (or little dress)
Devotion to the Scapular is devotion to Our Lady according to the spirit and ascetic tradition of Carmel.
An ancient devotion, which retains all its validity, if understood and lived in its authentic values.
For over seven centuries the faithful have been carrying the Scapular of Carmine (also called little dress) to ensure the protection of Mary in all the necessities of life and, in particular, to obtain, through her intercession, eternal salvation and a prompt release from Purgatory .
The promise of these two graces also called "Scapular Privileges" would have been made by the Madonna to S. Simone Stock and to Pope Giovanni XXII.
PROMISE of the MADONNA to S. SIMONE STOCK:
The Queen of Heaven, appearing all radiant with light, on 16 July 1251, to the old general of the Carmelite Order, San Simone Stock (who had asked her to give a privilege to the Carmelites), offering him a scapular - commonly called «Abitino "- thus spoke to him:" Take very beloved son, take this scapular of your Order, a distinctive sign of my Brotherhood, privilege to you and to all the Carmelites. Whoever dies dressed in this habit will not suffer the eternal fire; this is a sign of health, of salvation in danger, of a covenant of peace and an everlasting pact ».
Having said this, the Virgin disappeared in a perfume of Heaven, leaving the pledge of her First "Great Promise" in the hands of Simon.
We must not believe in the least, however, that the Madonna, with her Great Promise, wants to generate in man the intention of securing Heaven, continuing more quietly to sin, or perhaps the hope of being saved even without merit, but rather than by virtue of Her Promise, She works effectively for the conversion of the sinner, who brings the Habitant to the point of death with faith and devotion.
Terms
** The first scapular must be blessed and imposed by a priest
with a sacred formula of consecration to the Madonna
(it is excellent to go and request the imposition of it at a Carmelite convent)
The Abbitino must be kept, day and night, on the neck and precisely, so that one part falls on the chest and the other on the shoulders. Whoever carries it in his pocket, purse or pinned on his chest does not participate in the Great Promise
It is necessary to die dressed in the sacred dress. Those who have worn it for life and on the point of dying take it off do not participate in the Great Promise of Our Lady
When it should be replaced, a new blessing is not necessary.
The fabric scapular can also be replaced by the Medal (Madonna on one side, S. Heart on the other).
SOME CLARIFICATIONS
The Habitat (which is nothing but a reduced form of the dress of Carmelite religious), must necessarily be made of woolen cloth and not of another cloth, square or rectangular in shape, brown or black. The image on it of the Blessed Virgin is not necessary but is of pure devotion. Discoloring the image or detaching the Abitino is the same.
The consumed Habit is conserved, or destroyed by burning it, and the new does not need a blessing.
Who, for some reason, cannot wear the woolen Abbit, can replace it (after wearing it of wool, following the imposition made by the priest) with a medal that has on one side the effigy of Jesus and His Sacred Heart and on the other that of the Blessed Virgin of Carmel.
The Abino can be washed, but before removing it from the neck it is good to replace it with another or with a medal, so that you never remain without it.
Commitments
Special commitments are not prescribed.
All the exercises of piety approved by the Church serve to express and nourish devotion to the Mother of God. However, the daily recitation of the Holy Rosary is recommended.
Partial indulgence
The pious use of the Scapular or Medal (for example a thought, a call, a look, a kiss ...) as well as promoting union with Maria SS. and with God, he gives us a partial indulgence, the value of which increases in proportion to the dispositions of piety and fervor of each one.
Plenary indulgence
It can be purchased on the day the Scapular is received for the first time, on the feast of the Madonna del Carmine (16 July), S. Simone Stock (16 May), Sant'Elia prophet (20 July), Santa Teresa of the Child Jesus (1 October), of Santa Teresa d'Avila (15 October), of all the Carmelite Saints (14 November), of San Giovanni della Croce (14 December).
The following conditions are required for such indulgences:
1) Confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayer for the Pope;
2) promise to observe the commitments of the Scapular Association.
PROMISE of the MADONNA to Pope JOHN XXII:
(PRIVILEGE SABATINO)
The Sabatino Privilege is a second Promise (concerning the scapular of Carmine) that Our Lady made in her appearance, at the beginning of the 1300s, to Pope John XXII, to whom, the Virgin commanded to confirm on earth, the Privilege obtained by her in Heaven, by His beloved Son.
This great Privilege offers the possibility of entering Heaven on the first Saturday after death. This means that those who obtain this privilege will stay in Purgatory for a maximum of one week, and if they are lucky enough to die on a Saturday, Our Lady will immediately take them to Heaven.
The Great Promise of Our Lady must not be confused with the Sabatino Privilege. In the Great Promise made to St. Simon Stock, no prayers or abstinence are required, but it is enough to wear with faith and devotion day and night I wear, up to the point of death, the Carmelite uniform, which is the Habitat, to be helped and guided in life by Our Lady and to make a good death, or rather not to suffer the fire of Hell.
As for the Sabatino Privilege, which reduces the stay in Purgatory to a maximum week, the Madonna asks that in addition to carrying the Abitino, prayers and some sacrifices are also made in her honor.
Terms
to get the Sabbath privilege
1) Wear the "little dress" day and night, as for the First Great Promise.
2) To be registered in the registers of a Carmelite Brotherhood and therefore to be Carmelite confreres.
3) Observe chastity according to one's state.
4) Recite the canonical hours every day (ie the Divine Office or the Little Office of Our Lady). Who does not know how to say these prayers, must observe the fasts of the Holy Church (except if it is not dispensed for legitimate cause) and abstain from meat, on Wednesday and Saturday for the Madonna and on Friday for Jesus, except on the day of the S. Christmas.
SOME CLARIFICATIONS
Whoever does not observe the recitation of the above prayers or abstinence from the flesh does not commit any sin; after death, he will be able to enter Paradise immediately for other merits, but he will not enjoy the Sabatino Privilege.
The commutation of abstinence from meat into other penance can be asked of any priest.
Prayer to the Madonna del Carmelo
O Mary, Mother and decoration of Carmel, I consecrate mine to you today
life, what a small tribute of gratitude for the graces that
through your intercession I received from God. You look with
special benevolence those who devoutly bring yours
Scapular: I beg you therefore to support my fragility with the
your virtues, to illuminate with your wisdom the darkness of mine
mind, and to reawaken faith, hope and charity in me, because
may he grow every day in the love of God and in devotion
towards you. The Scapular calls your gaze upon me
maternal and your protection in daily struggle, so that it can
remain faithful to your Son Jesus and to you, avoiding sin and
imitating your virtues. I wish to offer God through your hands
all the good that I will be able to accomplish with your grace; yours
goodness may I obtain forgiveness of sins and a safer loyalty to
Lord. O most lovable Mother, may your love obtain for me a
day let me change your Scapular with the eternal
wedding dress and to live with you and the Saints of Carmel in
blessed kingdom of your Son who lives and reigns throughout the centuries
centuries. Amen.