|
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is a promontory in the Holy Land
over looking the Mediterranean,
where Elijah defended the purity of faith.
It has been considered a beautiful and sacred place since old testament times.
In the 12th century some hermits took up
residence there. They set up the Carmelite order,
dedicated to Our Lady of the place, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Tradition says that in 1251 Mary appeared to the leader of the Carmelites, Saint Simon Stock, in Cambridge England. She gave him the scapular with the promise that anyone wearing the scapular when they died, would be saved. Popes through out the years have encouraged wearing the scapular. Benedict XVI said that the scapular is a "particular sign of union with Jesus and Mary." Saint John Paul II said, "Even I, from my youngest days, have worn around my neck the scapular of Our Lady." Large pieces of cloth form the scapulars worn by monks. They hang in front and back and are connected at the shoulders by strips of material. The scapular is part of their habit. The habit is a uniform. The brown scapular we wear is a miniature version of the scapulars worn by the Carmelites. When you wear a uniform it changes your attitude. A Marine dressed in his uniform stands a little straighter. The wearer of a scapular is declaring that they are devoted to Mary. The scapular has an effect on the person wearing it that assures their salvation. As members of the Legion of Mary we should wear the scapular and encourage others to do so.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
|