A Brown Scapular isn’t something you merely buy and put around your neck.
While Our Lady of Mount Carmel did promise special privileges and protections to those who wear the Brown Scapular, these benefits do not come from the garment itself.
To take advantage of all the graces connected to your Brown Scapular, you need to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular Confraternity.
To enroll, follow these steps:
- Order a Brown Scapular, which is defined as two pieces of brown wool connected by cords worn across the chest and back. Other colors and designs may be present on the face of the scapular, but the wool itself must be brown in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. (Every scapular on our site fulfills these requirements.)
- Ask a priest to vest you using the prayer card that comes with each scapular in our collection. (Any priest is eligible to enroll you in the Brown Scapular Confraternity.)
The priest will say this prayer when he vests you:
Priest: Lord, show us Your kindness and mercy.
Respondent: And grant us Your salvation.
Priest: Lord, hear my prayer.
Respondent: And let my cry come to You.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
Respondent: And with your Spirit.
Priest: Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of mankind, by your right hand sanctify this scapular, which your servant will devotedly wear for the love of you and of your mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. By her intercession, may (he or she) be protected from the wickedness of the enemy and persevere in your grace until death. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
The priest will then sprinkle holy water on the scapular and you and say:
Receive this blessed scapular and ask the Most Holy Virgin that, by her merits, it may be worn with no stain of sin and may protect you from all harm and bring you into everlasting life. Amen.
After investiture the priest concludes with this prayer:
Priest: By the power granted to me, I admit you to a share in all the spiritual works performed with the merciful help of Jesus Christ by the religious of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priest again sprinkles holy water on you. Now you are part of the worldwide Carmelite family.
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Now your Brown Scapular is ready to be worn at all times (except when bathing or showering).
Place it so that one of the woolen squares is on your chest and the other is on your back. Tuck the scapular under your shirt and don’t worry if the string shows. The scapular doesn’t need to touch your skin.
Enjoy the peace that comes from living under Mary’s maternal care.
