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Our Lady’s habit.

As Catholics we are extremely fortunate that Our Heavenly Mother offers to clothe us in her very own habit, the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel.  What a wonderful grace it is to wear her holy habit, the saints of the Carmelite Order all attest to this, and the order has graciously shared this privilege with the laity throughout the centuries.

During a difficult period in the Carmelite Order’s history, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave him the Brown Scapular, which became part of the Carmelite habit. Lay people are privileged to wear a smaller version of this habit even today. It consists of two pieces of brown wool connected by cords that one wears over their shoulders, a piece in front on the chest and a piece resting upon the back. Our Lady attached great significance to this “livery” and promised that those who die wearing it shall never suffer eternal fire. It is one of the most highly indulgenced sacramentals in the Church, one that intimately connects the person wearing it to the Carmelite order. In addition it is an outward sign of one’s consecration to Our Lady as well as a guarantee of her protection and patronage - very much like the religious, or monastic habit is to the consecrated soul.

The scapular or “schema” as the monastic habit.

The monastic habit dates back to the early desert fathers; in fact, St. Pachomios (+346) seems to have codified it in addition to establishing the cenobitic life for monks.  It was called the ’schema’ which comprised the scapular over the tunic.  An angel wearing the schema appeared to Pachomios and instructed him that by the wearing of the habit the monk will overcome the temptations of the flesh. 

This story aside, heavenly inspired religious habits with scapulars are common to most religious orders, whether in the East or the West.  The scapular itself is otherwise believed to have originally been used as a work garment, similar to an apron, except it was worn over the shoulders, or the scapula - hence, the name.  Nevertheless, the legend associated with St. Pachomios suggests otherwise.  Some contemporary western monastics often seem more willing to offer distinctly practical and utilitarian origins to the monastic habit, as opposed to spiritual or supernatural purposes, perhaps it allows the habit to be more easily dispensed with as a religious essential. 

The gift of Our Lady’s habit.

In western tradition, various legends hold that Our Lady herself conferred habits upon various religious orders, which includes the Carmelites.  Through the person of St. Simon Stock, the Carmelites received this addition to their habit in an apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the saint.  Our Lady promised, that to those who persevered in wearing this habit, that is, persevering in the vocation it signified, such a person would enjoy her special patronage and protection, especially at the hour of death, and she would preserve them from the eternal fires of Hell. 

The Carmelite order in turn extended this privilege to the faithful, promoting the devotion of wearing a portion of the scapular of Mt. Carmel.  A confraternity was established with special regulations, and the scapular, devoutly worn, united the wearer to the Order in a special way, enjoying many benefits and privileges associated with the good works of the Order.     

Links:

Catechesis for the Brown Scapular