On July 16, 1251, in the town of Aylesford, as he was praying to Mary, Our Lady appeared with the scapular in hand, and told him: "Take, beloved son, this scapular of thy order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant."
Promises associated with the scapular are: Mary’s protection of the Carmelite order and all those who wear the scapular (including laymen of its Third Order); special help at one’s hour of death for all who wear the habit (or scapular) in Mary’s name. The Brown Scapular has been approved by the Church for over seven centuries. Today, the Church approves the Carmelites’ understanding of the meaning of the Brown Scapular as a commitment to follow Jesus, as did Mary, the perfect disciple of Christ. Mary has shown us how to open to God and His will; how to be guided by faith, hope and love and how to discover God’s presence in all that happens around us and to us. The scapular is not to be confused as a charm or an amulet to protect the wearer or as a guarantee of salvation. A person who wears the Brown Scapular practices the spirituality of the Carmelite order. Pope John Paul II has said: “Those who receive the scapular are associated more or less closely with the order of Carmel and dedicate themselves to the service of Our Lady for the good of the whole Church”. The brown scapular is approved by the church As most of us are not monks or nuns or belong to the third order or OCDS but wear the scapular out of devotion as well as belief in the Promises of Our Lady, we may practice the Order’s spirituality even without formal association to the Order We wear it as a matter of faith and belief. Even the fashion conscious people still wear it as a sacapular MEDAL though not very popular, with the same religious and spiritual significance ,value as the brown scapular. Forgetting it and keeping it here and there is considered as disrespect and objectionable. Some people buy them in scores for replacement. scapular medal are convenient and need not be removed during the bath if worn in attachment to chains, or on watches. too The plastic coated scapulars also are in vogue. The Catholics use it on new born during baptism ceremony to protect the young one from all dangers and evil forces. We are assured by the solemn promise of our lady of Mount about its efficacy, if we believe in faith. In modern times this custom and tradition seems to be on wane HAPPY FEAST Nelson Lopes chinchinim