The Brown Scapular is one of the most popular Marian devotions, perhaps second only to the Holy Rosary.
But many Catholics are not familiar with its history. It is a story of miracles and everyday graces given to people who love the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Here are some highlights.
The Carmelite Order was the first to receive this heavenly gift.
In 1251 Our Lady appeared to a Carmelite priest named St. Simon Stock and gave him the Brown Scapular. She promised her aid to everyone who wore it devoutly.
Since that time the Carmelites have been the special guardians and promoters of this devotion.
By the 17th century, Catholics worldwide were practicing the Brown Scapular devotion.
This included lay Catholics and priests and religious from non-Carmelite orders. There were reported miracles connected to the scapular, including people being saved from death or homes preserved from fire.
Recognizing the universal appeal of this devotion, Pope Benedict XIV extended the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to the entire Church in 1726. We celebrate this feast on July 16, the anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s glorious appearance.
Numerous saints were devoted to the Brown Scapular.
Naturally, Carmelite saints — including St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and St. Therese of Lisieux — all had a devotion to the Brown Scapular. But other saints loved it too, including St. John Bosco (whose Brown Scapular was later found to be incorrupt), St. Alphonsus Liguori and Pope St. John Paul II.
The Brown Scapular devotion continues in the modern age.
More recent Catholic leaders have continued to promote Our Lady’s gift. St. Paul VI, who was pope from 1963 to 1978, said, “Let the faithful hold in high esteem the practices and devotions to the Blessed Virgin approved by the teaching authority of the Church. It is Our conviction that the Rosary of Mary and the Scapular of Carmel are among these recommended practices. The Scapular is a practice of piety, which by its very simplicity is suited to everyone.”
The Brown Scapular has served the Catholic Church well over time and it will continue to be a conduit of grace going forward.
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