Scapular Confraternity: Advantages, Benefits, Blessings, Indulgences.

[Xavier]

On July 16th, 1251, Our Lady promised St. Simon Stock,(1) "WHOSOEVER DIES IN THIS GARMENT SHALL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE." She promised Pope John XXII, (2) "I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in purgatory I shall free so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting." http://www.sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapular-information.php On account of these two promises, all Catholics should consider wearing the Scapular. We should even give the Scapular to our non-Catholic friends and ask them to say a few prayers each day in wearing it, so that they may gradually receive grace to convert.

The Scapular is a kind of habit, which even those living in the world can wear, as a sign and symbol of their consecration to Jesus through Mary, and their desire to live a consecrated life as far as possible. Thus, by the Scapular, even all the laity can approach as close as we can to a vocation while still living in the world. Were there no other reason, all Catholics should wear the Brown Scapular just to avail themselves of this privilege. Priests, Nuns, Monks and Religious should feel especially obliged to wear it. Our Lady tells us it is a privilege to be clothed in Her habit, "This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire."

Around the time of Vatican II, we saw many religious trying to take off their habit. And even the scandal of Priests and higher Hierarchs appearing in lay dress. This was severely censured by St. Padre Pio, " The Definiteur replied: 'Padre, changes are being proposed because the youth don't want to have anything to do with the tonsure, the habit, bare feet....''Chase them out! Chase them out! What can you be saying? Is it they who are doing St. Francis a favor by taking the habit and following his way of life, or rather, isn't it St. Francis who is offering them a great gift?'" https://sspx.org/en/padre-pio-vatican-ii-new-mass In the same way, we should not remove our habit either.

Living in the world, we cannot wear a habit in the same way Monks and Nuns do. We can, however, wear the Scapular. ""Wear the Scapular devoutly and perseveringly. It is My garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of Me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life." Link

Then there are all the blessings to be gained by sharing in Scapular Confraternities, and uniting in prayer with millions of Catholics.

We can even gain many and frequent indulgences by kissing our Scapular and renewing our consecration, and making morning offerings.

Do you believe the Scapular is a great gift, a holy privilege, the habit of consecrated laity, an inestimable blessing we should all avail?

Our Lady also made a promise a long ago that She would one day save the world by the Rosary and the Scapular, to St. Dominic.

[Michael Wilson]

I voted "other" as I wear the "Five Fold" scapular, which includes the Brown Scapular, along with the scapulars of the Passion, Immaculate Conception, the Seven Dolors, and the Trinitarian.