The Scapular Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel
Some time ago, we called the National Scapular Center, in Darien, Illinois, and inquired about the words concerning Our Lady’s promise, that were on their scapulars: "Whosoever dies wearing this scapular will be saved". We explained to the person who answered the phone, that this is NOT what Our Lady said. The correct words are: "Those who die wearing this scapular, shall not suffer eternal fire".
The reply we received was this: "Well, we are not sure this apparition, (with St. Simon Stock) ever took place". We told the person that they, (the Carmelites who believed this lie) were betrayers of the Mother of God. We did not wait for any reply. We hung up the telephone.
We are printing the following article which is in the Carmelite Directory of the Spiritual Life, because it clearly states that Our Lady, DID, in fact, appear to St. Simon Stock, and DID, in fact, give him the scapular with its promise:
The Holy Scapular
(a) Our Order was passing through a crisis, when our Fathers were slowly expelled from the East, and many powerful enemies denied that the Carmelite Order had a right to exist, and to develop in the West. The Carmelites, especially the Prior General, St. Simon Stock, persevered in prayer, and implored their Mother to come to their assistance. Nor did this Mother fail her children. Rather, she enriched the Order with so great a privilege, that its name was soon on everyone’s lips, and we may rightly exclaim, "Oh happy persecution which was the occasion of so great a grace for us".
When the most holy Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251, she gave him the holy scapular, and promised, "This will be to you and to all Carmelites a privilege, that he who dies in this will not suffer the eternal fire," i.e., he who dies in this will be saved. Could our most tender Mother have promised us anything greater? Could she have given us a more beautiful sign of her good will?
(b) Still it was not enough for this mother to have honored her order with so great a privilege. She added another one of no less importance. For she also appeared to Pope John XXII when, though not yet raised to the supreme pontificate he was in anguish of soul because of his enemies, and she promised him future deliverance and elevation to the triple crown admonishing him to defend and protect the Order of Carmel. At the same time, she promised that, whoever devoutly wore the scapular of the Order and observing chastity according to his state in life , would recite daily the canonical hours, or in case of impossibility, observe the prescribed fasts of the Church and abstain from meats on Wednesdays and Saturdays, she would free him from the pains of purgatory on the first Saturday after death.
(c ) These are her words: " I the Mother of graces will descend on the Saturday after their death, and those whom I shall find in purgatory, I will deliver and lead him to the holy mount of eternal life." Therefore we do well to sing in the Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel "The Gate of the inner court that looks toward the East shall be shut six days, but on the Sabbath day, it shall be opened"
(Ezech. 46,1, II.)
She is a faithful Mother, and will not deceive us; she will stand by her promises, and will not fail us in our necessities. But we too ought to show ourselves faithful. The holy scapular most efficaciously defends us against the fires of hell, as well as of purgatory, provided we do our share. For, unless we do it, it is possible that, at the hour of death, whether outside or inside the Order, we shall find ourselves without the scapular. For presumption does not merit the special protection of this Mother. Therefore, Pius XI, writing to the Prior General of the Order on March 18, 1922, "on the occasion of the sixth centenary of the Sabbatine Privilege," warned all who enroll in Carmelite confraternities, and therefore, the Carmelites also", perseveringly to adhere to everything prescribed for the gaining of indulgences, and especially the greatest of indulgences called the Sabbatine. For the Virgin loves those who love her, nor can anyone expect to have her assistance at death, unless during life he has found favor with her both by abstaining from sin as well as by some practice in her honor". Certainly, our Blessed Mother did not give us the scapular as a kind of charm or that superstition should be encouraged, but that the supernatural life might be safeguarded and increased.
Let us constantly give thanks both in word and deed, and let us always wear the holy scapular with great piety, devoutly kissing it whenever, as is our custom, we pass before the most holy Sacrament, or whenever we bow before a Crucifix or image of the Blessed Mother. Then, while interiorly renewing our perfect and unfailing devotion, let us, in substance, say with our lips or at least in our heart, "I am thine; save me!"
The more we turn with love for our Blessed Mother and her scapular, the more gladly and fervently shall be spread her devotion and scapular among the faithful. For who would not desire that this Mother be known and loved by everyone, and that all experience her powerful protection and assistance? Moreover, our Blessed Mother says, "They that explain me shall have life everlasting". (Ecclus. 24, 31).