Are you a Catholic interested in learning more about the Brown Scapular? Or maybe you’re not Catholic, but you saw someone else wearing this strange “necklace” and need more info on it. Whatever the case may be, keep reading below!
History of the Brown Scapular
But first, a quick history lesson!
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Mary) appeared to a man named Simon Stock on a beautiful mountain called Mount Carmel.
St. Simon Stock was a part of a Carmelite community, which is a religious order. His community wasn’t doing very well, so he went to the mountain to pray for Mary’s help.
(If you’re interested in learning more about the Carmelites, my FAVORITE religious order, I’ve heard this book is a great place to start! They are a quiet order that focuses deeply on quiet prayer, cooking, quiet prayer, gardening, cleaning, sewing, and making sacramentals like Brown Scapulars and rosaries.)
While praying, Mary appeared to him while holding Jesus as a child, and handed him the Brown Scapular . She said:
“Receive, my beloved son, this Scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.”
Because of her wonderful promises to those who wear the Brown Scapular, the scapular is worn by Catholics around the world as a sign of Marian devotion.
What Does the Brown Scapular Look Like?
Originally, the Scapular was worn as two large pieces of cloth, attached at the shoulders by narrow strips, which covered the front and back of a habit. (You will see Carmelite nuns still wearing this version of the Scapular today.)
However, the Brown Scapular that the laity wears is a miniature version, made with two small squares of wool and a brown cord that connects them.
One square goes on the front of your chest, and one square goes on your back between your shoulder blades. You wear the Scapular under your shirt.
This necklace symbolizes Mary’s protection, and is a small dedication to her!
Why Should I Wear the Brown Scapular?
Wearing the Scapular is a request of Our Lady and a sign of consecration to her. She always comes to help those who trust in her intercession and protection.
Those who wear the Scapular want to foster a deeper relationship with Jesus and his Blessed mother.
There have also been many, many miracles associated with wearing it!
Who Can Wear the Brown Scapular?
The Scapular is a devotion, so those who wear it should make an effort to live a life of faith. To receive all the benefits and promises of the Scapular, the person who wears it should have the Scapular blessed and be enrolled in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular.
Note: Anyone can wear the Brown Scapular, including non-Catholics. However, without being enrolled, you are not guaranteed all the promises and graces that come with it.
How to Become Enrolled in the Brown Scapular
Enrolling is a simple ceremony and can be done by any priest. They will bless your Scapular and enroll you in the Brown Scapular Confraternity with the words below:
Priest: Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Respondent: And grant us Thy salvation.
P: Lord, hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.
P: The Lord be with you.
R: And also with you.
P: Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, sanctify by Thy power these Scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our lady of Mount Carmel, Thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
THE PRIEST SPRINKLES THE SCAPULAR AND THE PERSON(S) BEING ENROLLED WITH HOLY WATER .
P: Receive this blessed Scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin that through her merits, you may wear it without stain. May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.
I, by the power vested in me, admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus Christ by the Religious Order of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth, bless you, He who has deigned to join you to the confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Of Mount Carmel; we beseech Her to crush the head of the ancient serpent so that you my enter into possession of your eternal heritage, through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
THE PRIEST THEN SPRINKLES THE PERSON BEING ENROLLED WITH HOLY WATER AGAIN
Here is a printable version if you’d like to bring it with you in case the priest needs it when you become enrolled.
And that’s it! When I became enrolled, the whole process took about 3 minutes after Sunday Mass one day.
Once you are enrolled, you do NOT need to be re-enrolled if your original Scapular breaks. You can just buy and wear a new one since the blessing and enrollment is given to the person who wears it.
How to Wear the Brown Scapular
The Brown Scapular is worn under your clothing, with one square of wool in front of your chest, and one square on your back in between your shoulder blades. It must be worn continuously, but is permissible to take off to bathe.
I know some Catholics who take theirs off to shower, yet some wear it in the shower, and some even have separate “shower” Scapulars they put on when they bathe to preserve their regular, daily Scapular.
Brown Scapular Rules
Once enrolled, the Scapular should be worn continuously with a daily commitment to praying the Divine Office (Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Night Prayer,) the Psalms, the Rosary, or other equivalent devotional prayers, living a chaste life, abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays or faithfully engaging in another similar sacrifice.
The Scapular is NOT a “get-to-Heaven-for-free” pass. It is not an excuse to live a sinful life. You must show your devotion to Our Lady and Jesus by constantly wearing the Scapular and engaging in the actions above.
Brown Scapular Promise
Mary promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell, and also promised that she will shorten their stay in Purgatory (if they should go there after death.) This is called the Sabbatine Privilege.
The Sabbatine Privilege occurred when the Blessed Virgin appeared to Pope John XXII and, speaking of those who wear the Brown Scapular said, “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.”
Brown Scapular Morning Offering
It is customary, but not required, to also pray the Morning Offering prayer while wearing the Brown Scapular. The prayer goes like this:
“O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (kiss the scapular as a sign of your consecration), I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them to the interests of Thy most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!”
Are there other Scapular Colors?
Yes! There are now more than a dozen different types and colors of Scapulars that are approved by the Church besides Brown Scapulars. Each one is associated with a different devotion to Our Lady, a saint, a particular religious order, or our Lord, and is worn as a sign of special consecration to them.
Brown Scapular for Sale
Now that I’ve gotten you all excited about enrolling in the Brown Scapular, here are a just a few you can choose from!
This Brown Scapular is a best seller over at The Catholic Company. I love that it comes with a mini St. Benedict Medal and Crucifix attached to it. (They also have a 14″ cord option if this 20″ cord is too long for you.)
This one is more traditional, with no medals attached and has a thicker string.
I personally wear this one from Qui Minimo. I like how the strings are a lot skinnier than most Scapular strings. I chose brown for my string color, since it’s more authentic.
Have More Questions?
I hope this gave you more information about the Brown Scapular and made the enrollment process less murky! If you have more questions about it, please comment below and I’ll do my best to find the answer for you!
