The Sabbatine privilege of the Brown Scapular

In the year 1251, in the town of Aylesford in England, Our Lady appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a Carmelite. She handed him a brown wool scapular and said, “This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.” In time, the Church extended this magnificent privilege to all the laity who are willing to be invested in the Brown Scapular of the Carmelites and who perpetually wear it.

True devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary consists in three things: veneration, confidence, and love. By simply wearing the Scapular, we can tell her every moment of the day that we venerate her, love her and trust in her protection.

The Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel has promised to save those who wear the Scapular from the fires of hell. She will also shorten their stay in purgatory if they should pass from this world still owing some debt of punishment.

This promise is found in a Bull of Pope John XXII. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him and, speaking of those who wear the Brown Scapular, said, “I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in purgatory I shall free so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting.”

Adapted from Sisters of Carmel