Saint John Paul II wore the scapular under his clothing, and many Popes recalled the importance of this devotion. In the apparitions at Fatima, and particularly in the one on October 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel holding the scapular in her hand. Sister Lucia, the visionary of Fatima, would become a Carmelite religious. Let us learn more about this sacramental and the figure of Saint Simon Stock, whom we commemorate today.
What is the Carmelite scapular for?
Once, it consisted of part of the habit worn, and still worn today, by Carmelite religious. Over the years, for practical reasons, it was transformed into two strips of fabric joined by images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. But what is the scapular for? To Saint Simon Stock, who spread devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Virgin assured that those who died wearing the scapular would be freed from the pains of Purgatory. The scapular is not a purely external sign but should be regarded as an opportunity for sanctification and a profoundly Christian life. It is a “sacramental,” that is, a sign that recalls and makes present a spiritual reality according to the measure of faith of the person who wears it. The promises associated with the scapular confirm what the Christian faith has always affirmed: whoever lives faithfully fulfilling their baptismal commitments will die in full communion with God.
Saint Simon Stock
Simon was born in England in 1164 at Harford Castle, in the county of Kent, where his father was governor. As a young man, he joined the monks of Mount Carmel and, in 1245, was appointed Prior General. He remained in that position until his death, which took place in Bordeaux in 1265. Despite the difficulties he encountered, he made a decisive contribution to the establishment and spread of the Carmelite Order in Europe. Precisely when faced with the problems before him, he found a safe harbor in the arms of Mary Most Holy.
Saint Simon therefore called on the help of Our Lady, patroness of the Order, asking for a sign of salvation. And the Virgin responded with maternal solicitude, giving him the scapular. It was 1251. Below, we reproduce part of the oldest account of the historic vision: «The Blessed Virgin, accompanied by a multitude of angels, appeared to him holding the Order’s Scapular in her blessed hands and saying: “This will be a great privilege for you and for all Carmelites: whoever dies wearing this Scapular will not suffer eternal fire, but will be saved.”» Many miracles performed during his life and after his death are attributed to Saint Simon Stock.
Faith is a gift that we cannot keep only to ourselves; we are called to bear witness to it and show it to the world: this is the meaning of the scapular. Saint Simon Stock teaches us this.
And did you know the story of Saint Simon Stock and the scapular? Write it in the comments.
