“…the wisest lesson I know – to wear the Scapular always.”

 -- Father Kilian Lynch

The Brown Scapular is a special devotion in the Catholic Church. Its history began in the Old Testament with Elijah on Mount Carmel. Elijah was a faithful servant of God who helped the people of his day find happiness in loving God and following His laws.

Elijah’s zeal motivated other people to become God’s faithful servants. They chose to live on Mount Carmel, so they became known as Carmelites. They devoted their lives to praying and loving God.

Many years later, the Virgin Mary became the mother of Jesus. Mary was very holy. Her heart was immaculate, which means pure because she did not commit any sins. She loved God with all her heart and called herself a ‘handmaid’ or faithful servant of the Lord. (Luke 1:38)

The Carmelites, who had devoted their lives to God, now had Mary as an example to follow. They tried to imitate the way Mary loved God.

In 1251, the Virgin Mary appeared to the leader of the Carmelites, showed him a Scapular and said, “This shall be a sign to you and to all Carmelites: whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire [hell]." 

The Carmelites knew what a Scapular was because it was part of the clothing they wore. But after the apparition, the Scapular was a reminder of Mary's special promise that she will protect all her spiritual children. She will show them the easiest way to get to Heaven.

A Scapular is a long piece of plain cloth worn over the shoulders. It has become known as the Brown Scapular because of the color of the cloth. The Brown Scapular that the Carmelites wore was large but, today, many people wear a small Brown Scapular under their clothing as a sign of their dedication to Mary. Anyone can wear a Brown Scapular and become part of the worldwide family of Carmelites who try to love God as Mary did.

Many years later, in Fatima, in 1917, Mary appeared again, but this time to three shepherd children. She was dressed as a Carmelite and held the Brown Scapular in her hand. One of the shepherd children said that Mary wants everyone to wear the Brown Scapular. It has become known as a sign of consecration to Mary's Immaculate Heart. 

By consecrating or dedicating ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are asking her to help us love God with all our hearts. When attending a Catholic Mass, we can ask Mary to spiritually place our hearts with Jesus on the paten (little plate) that the priest holds. Then when the priest offers Jesus to God the Father in Heaven, our hearts will be offered with Jesus. We can give God everything through Mary. 

In Fatima, Mary also promised that her Immaculate Heart would triumph. By wearing a Brown Scapular and praying the Rosary every day, we can follow Mary’s example. She will help us triumph over evil and love God with all our hearts. Our souls can become pure like hers. Mary will help us become saints. That will make God very happy because He wants all people to be with Him in Heaven!