On July 16, the Church celebrates the Beata Vergine Maria del Monte Carmelo! It is one of the oldest devotions and one of the most beloved among Christians. In this article, we explore the roots of this devotion and discover the origin and profound meaning of the scapular, which is not a good-luck charm but a sign of belonging to the Virgin.
A little history
According to tradition, Our Lady appeared to a pious Carmelite from the English province, Simon Stock, who, in his prayers, implored her to favor his Order with some special privilege.
Mary appeared to him holding the scapular in her hand and said: «This is the privilege for you and your own; whoever dies wearing this will be saved».
Neither the place nor the date of the apparition is known, but the profound meaning of the account of this vision lies in the fact that it shows the bond between the historical events of the Order dedicated to Mary and the Virgin’s personal interventions on its behalf.
A sign of belonging, a sign of love
The scapular tells us that Mary, our Mother, took care to provide her children with a garment of protection: a tangible sign of the unique and indestructible bond between her and us. The scapular, a sign of Mary’s love, is therefore at the same time a sign of belonging and trusting devotion to her, so that she may lead us to her Son.
Wearing the scapular therefore means receiving Jesus and Mary within us and also means entrusting ourselves and giving ourselves anew. Thus, whoever decides in their heart to make this “holy journey” with Mary, whether young or adult, married or not, accepts wearing with pride the Virgin’s garment as their uniform.
Indulgences and the Carmelite Pardon
The use of the scapular is also associated with a partial indulgence, whose value increases in proportion to each person’s dispositions of piety and fervor.
A plenary indulgence may also be gained on certain occasions: on the day one receives the scapular for the first time, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16), Saint Simon Stock (May 16), Saint Elijah the Prophet (July 20), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (October 1), Saint Teresa of Ávila (October 15), All Carmelite Saints (November 14), and Saint John of the Cross (December 14).
The following conditions are required for these plenary indulgences: Confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayer for the Pope, and the promise to observe the commitments of the scapular association.
Moreover, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a plenary indulgence may be gained, for oneself or for the souls of the deceased, from noon on July 15 through the whole of July 16 under these conditions: visit a Carmelite church or oratory and, during the visit, renew one’s profession of faith by reciting the Creed; recite the Our Father; pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, or another prayer). This is known as the “Carmelite Pardon”.
Let us live this feast day in accordance with Pope Francis’s wish: «May the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, accompany your steps on your daily journey toward the Mountain of God».
Always carry the “Supplication to Our Lady of Mount Carmel” with you
