The Virgin Mary is a central figure in the Christian faith, considered the Mother of God and the spiritual mother of all faithful Christians. Since ancient times, Christians have sought her intercession and protection, venerating her as a model of virtue and purity.
The Scapular is a sacramental, an object accepted by the Church to accompany the devotee and assist them in their journey of faith according to religious principles. It is used in the Catholic tradition as an external sign of Marian devotion. It consists of two pieces of cloth joined by bands or cords.
In the Catholic tradition, it is considered a way to show the connection with the Mother of God and the commitment it implies. Since its origin, the Scapular has had a close relationship with the Carmelite Order and has become one of the external signs of its spirituality.
The different types of Scapulars
The Scapular comes in a variety of models:
Sacramentals made with two pieces designed to be worn around the neck. The most popular ones are the scapulars of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, but there is a wide variety available.
Medal scapulars are a variation of the Scapular. They are sacramentals in the shape of a medal. They are usually made of two pieces of gold joined together. It is common for each face to depict a religious figure.
They were created for those who encountered difficulties in wearing the traditional scapular due to work, health, or other reasons. These medals are similar to religious medals used as pendants but with an inscription referring to the Scapular.
One of the best-selling ones includes the figure of the Virgin of Mount Carmel on one side, while the figure of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is represented on the other side.
Silver medal scapulars are a variation of gold medal scapulars. They usually have the same characteristics as gold medals, except for the material.
A scapular bracelet is a variation of the traditional scapular. The scapular bracelet usually features religious images or symbols of devotion, such as the Virgin of Mount Carmel or Saint Joseph.
There are different types of scapular bracelets available on the market, made from various materials.
Blessing and imposition of the Scapular
To receive its protection and promises of eternal life, it is necessary to follow a ritual of blessing and imposition of the Scapular, which must be performed by a priest.
The blessing and imposition of the Scapular consist of entrusting the garment and the faithful to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The priest who performs the blessing then places the Scapular on the shoulders of the faithful, thus uniting them with the promise and commitment to follow Jesus and His Mother Mary.
The Scapular can be worn by anyone who wants to profess their Catholic faith and devotion to the Virgin Mary. There are no age, gender, or social position restrictions that prevent someone from wearing a Scapular.
Scapular to understand that it is not an amulet or a passing fashion, but a sacred object recognized by the Church that should be worn with devotion and respect.
It is a tool for young, adult, and elderly Catholics that Holy Mary has given us, and once properly imposed, it can deliver us from eternal fire and many other sufferings. The scapular is a religious object approved by the Catholic Church to help people attain eternal life.
It is important to remember that scapulars are sacramentals that do not grant graces by their mere use. They serve as spiritual aids, but they are not Sacraments. Therefore, it is important to fulfill the requirements in order to receive the promised graces from the Queen of Heaven.
Only by fulfilling the prerogatives imposed by Our Lady, both in terms of priestly imposition and the requirements set by our Holy Mother, can one obtain the promised privileges. Living a life filled with virtue, without shedding blood, helping the sick, giving bread to the poor, being concerned about social issues, attending the Liturgy, and assisting in the parish. In other words, a person who lives their life striving to do good to others with the best intentions in mind and dies following the teachings of the Holy Mother and the Bible should not fear the grave or Hell, for the Virgin Mary will open the doors of Heaven for them.
However, to receive the plenary indulgence granted by the Catholic Church, it is necessary for the wearer of the Scapular to fulfill certain requirements, such as wearing the Scapular constantly and with due devotion.
It is important to note that the use of the Scapular should not be considered as a mere superstition or a fashion accessory. Its true meaning goes far beyond that. The Scapular is a sign of devotion and commitment to the Virgin Mary, and the wearer is called to live the Catholic faith with deep intention and devotion.
Furthermore, it is important for the faithful to wear the Scapular consistently and with the intention of offering their life to the Blessed Virgin, imitating her virtues and acting as she did.
Scapulars, along with rosaries and medals (such as the Saint Benedict medal), are among the most demanded items for sale in our online store. Many of our customers have decided to buy a scapular for themselves or as a gift for a Catholic friend or family member.
In our store, you can purchase a wide variety of Catholic scapulars with a similar style. Among the models available on our website are scapulars of saints such as Saint James, Saint Anthony of Padua, Archangel Saint Michael, or Saint Francis of Assisi. As well as different Marian advocations of the Holy Mother of God, such as the Immaculate Conception.
The most sought-after are the scapulars of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The sacramentals of Our Lady of Mount Carmel have always been a product that has aroused great devotion, whether they are made of cloth, medal scapulars, or bracelets. The use of this sacramental is common among Carmelites, tertiaries, confreres, and lay devotees of Our Lady in general.
Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a universal sentiment that has brought joy and security to the lives of many people. The Scapular of the Carmelite Order is a sacramental that enjoys great popularity among customers and buyers of Religious Articles Brabander. The history of the scapular of Mount Carmel is intimately related to the Carmelite Habit, and more specifically to an apron that monks and nuns used to wear to protect their habit while carrying out their work in the field, in the kitchen,...
The scapular is named after the scapulae, the bones located in the upper back also known as shoulder blades. The name "scapular" indicates the way this garment was worn. It was placed over the head and hung down over the shoulders and chest, leaving the arms free to work without being hindered by any fabric. It was a garment for daily labor.
Although the scapular was regularly worn by monks and nuns, it did not achieve great importance until the year 1251 when this part of the habit took on a new dimension. On July 16th of that year, Simon Stock, Prior General of the Carmelites, now better known as Saint Simon, while praying his daily prayers, caught sight of an image of the Holy Mother of God dressed in a brown garment, and she handed him a Holy Scapular of Carmel. Saint Mary told him that she would bestow great gifts upon the Carmelites and confreres of the Order who wore the scapular and led lives in accordance with the teachings of Christ.
Such was the importance of this Marian apparition that since that day, every July 16th, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated, a festival of enormous popularity in countless cities and towns in Spain, Italy, Malta, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, the United States, Portugal,... Particularly important is the devotion to the Virgin of Carmel in coastal towns, as she is the patroness of sailors and fishermen.
Currently, there are different versions of the Carmelite scapular: fabric scapulars, scapular medals, or scapular bracelets. The most popular one, usually purchased by people, is the fabric scapular as it closely resembles the original sacramental that the Virgin Mary handed to Saint Simon.
The fabric scapular is usually composed of two rectangular pieces joined by cords or ribbons.
The first piece that forms the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is usually decorated with various Marian elements.
In our online store, we have a model for sale that has an oval shape at the center with the figure of the Virgin of Mount Carmel sitting with the Baby Jesus in her lap. The Virgin is wearing a brown dress, a white mantle, and a golden tunic. The Baby Jesus is dressed in a pink outfit.
The border of the scapular has embroidered filigree designs in silver and gold thread. The shapes intertwine and form fleur-de-lis flowers in the corners of the scapular.
The second piece that is part of the Carmelite Order Scapular is decorated with various embroidered elements.
The center of the scapular is adorned with a representation of the coat of arms of the Order of Mount Carmel. It depicts three important elements of the Order: Mount Carmel, the Cross of Jesus on top of the Mountain, and three stars embroidered in gold thread.
The Carmelite coat of arms is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Order. For this reason, it is often represented in the sacramentals of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is known that the first reproduction of the Carmelite graphic symbol dates back to the late 15th century. The origin of this sign is not entirely clear, and there are different stories related to the author of the original design.
There are different versions, but typically, any Carmelite coat of arms has the following elements.
Mount Carmel
The Mount Carmel is the seed of the history of the Order of the Carmelites. It is located in the district of Haifa, Israel, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The origin of the Carmelite Order is situated in the years following the Third Crusade. During this time, a French crusader named Bartolomé Avogadro, better known as Blessed Bertoldo of Mount Carmel, decided to follow in the footsteps of the prophet Elijah. With this intention, he traveled to Mount Carmel to lead a hermit's life.
A small group of faithful followed the steps of Blessed Bertoldo. Once settled, they built a small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The temple was the birthplace of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
The Cross on Mount Carmel
The cross on the top of Mount Carmel is a beloved symbol of Christ and holds great significance for the Carmelite Order. The crucifix atop represents that the Cross is the only path to open the gates of Heaven. Jesus is the only one who grants salvation.
The Three Six-Pointed Stars of the Carmelite Shield
The six-pointed stars are a sign traditionally associated with the miraculous Virgin of Carmel. The symbol of the star has its origin in the journey that the Carmelites had to make from Mount Carmel to Europe.
The original Carmelite community began to suffer devastating attacks from barbaric Saracen invaders. Realizing that their peaceful position could not stop the violence of the assailants, they decided to abandon their home. Before departing, during a prayer, an image of the Virgin Mary appeared to them and made them a promise: for their service and devotion, Our Lady would protect them from Saracen weapons and guide them through the seas as a star, becoming their Stella Maris (Star of the Sea). The Carmelites suffered no harm, protected by the helping hand of the Virgin. A bright star in the sky guided them throughout the entire journey by sea.
On the Carmelite shield, there is a star within Mount Carmel and two more in the sky. The star inside represents the Carmelites who are on their way to Heaven. The two stars in the sky represent the Carmelites who are already in Heaven, such as St. Simon Stock, St. Raphael Kalinowski, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St. John of the Cross, and others.
The Scapular of the Virgin of Carmen is a very important sacramental within the Holy Mother Church. It is one of the tools, one of the sacred signs through which spiritual effects, especially those obtained through the intercession of the Church, are expressed. The Holy Scapulars are a demonstration of love for the Virgin Mary, a sign of devotion to Our Lady and Celestial Queen. They are a symbol of protection that encompasses the virtues and safeguarding that are the essence of Holy Mary: love for her children (the Carmelite Scapulars identify us as children of Mary), a good heart, and humility.
Furthermore, the Carmelite Scapular grants two privileges to all those who devoutly wear it. Holy Mary made two promises to St. Simon Stock and Pope John XXIII. She said that the confraternities, believers, and religious who wear a Scapular or a Scapular medal devotedly would have two privileges.
The first of the promises of the Virgin Mary was made to St. Simon Stock. On July 16, 1251, Our Lady promised the saint that all those Carmelites or devotees of the Order who devoutly wear the scapular would not suffer the pains or torments of the flames of hell at the moment their earthly life comes to an end.
The second promise was made to Pope John XXIII during the conclave following the death of Clement V. The Virgin of Carmel told him that those Carmelites, religious, tertiaries, or confraternity members who wore the Holy Scapular in life, observed chastity, and recited the Divine Office (or performed any pious act entrusted to them by a priest) would be delivered to the Kingdom of Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel if they were in purgatory. The liberation of souls would particularly occur on the Saturday following their death.
Online sale of scapulars, scapular medal, and scapular bracelet of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, saints, and other Marian advocations. Buy embroidered scapulars in gold and silver thread. If you are looking for where to buy a scapular of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, you have come to the right place. Brabander is the online store you need.
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