After all the Masses next weekend, July 11-12, Fr. Carlos and I will be passing out scapulars of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to all of you who would like to have one to wear. Why do we do this? Well, the scapular is a beautiful reminder that each and every day we are ‘putting on Jesus Christ’ and placing His gentle yoke upon our shoulders. Every time that we kiss the scapular and put it on, it reminds us to give ourselves and our day to Jesus through the intercession and prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After an entire year, our scapulars get pretty worn out, so the month of July when we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a good time to pick up a new one.

Where did the scapular come from? In the apparition of the Virgin Mary to Saint Simon Stock on July 16, 1251, she promised special blessings for all who wear her scapular in faith. This devotion which began in England has received repeated approval by the Church. “Wear the holy scapular of Mount Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are as deep-rooted among the faithful and so richly blessed by the Popes.”

We approach our Lady each day that she may protect us by her prayers and intercession. The scapular reminds us each day that our Blessed Mother watches over us as her children. Each morning when we put it on, kiss the scapular and pray: “Lord Jesus, through the prayers of your Blessed Mother, may I serve You faithfully today”.