Scapular enrollments at Our Lady of Mount Carmel American National Catholic Church normally take place during Sunday Mass.

If you would like to be enrolled, please speak with Fr. Séamus before Mass begins.

Those being enrolled are welcome to bring their own brown scapular or may purchase one from the parish for $10.

Enrollment itself is always free. The only fee is for those who choose to buy a scapular from us rather than bringing their own.

Because we are a Carmelite parish, scapulars used for enrollment should be brown, in keeping with the tradition of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

WHAT IS SCAPULAR ENROLLMENT?

Scapular enrollment is a sacred act in which a priest formally admits a person into the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular, connecting them to the spiritual heritage and protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

During the enrollment ceremony:

• The priest blesses both the scapular and the individual.
• The person commits to wearing the scapular faithfully.
• The newly enrolled member shares in the spiritual benefits and prayers of the worldwide Carmelite family.

This act is both a public expression of devotion and a lived sign of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

WHAT ENROLLMENT INVOLVES

A Formal Ceremony

Enrollment is an official rite of the Church that places the individual into the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular.

A Personal Commitment

Those enrolled promise to wear the scapular consistently and to strive for a faithful, devout Christian life.

An Expression of Faith

The brown scapular is a sign of trust in Mary’s maternal protection and a continual reminder to follow Christ more closely.

HOW ENROLLMENT WORKS

• Contact Fr. Séamus or another Catholic priest.
  Any priest may perform the enrollment. At our parish, simply speak with Fr. Séamus before Sunday Mass.
• The Blessing and Investment
  The priest blesses the scapular with holy water and places it upon the person being enrolled.
• Prayers of Enrollment
  Special prayers are prayed to admit the individual into the Carmelite spiritual family.
• Sharing in Carmelite Graces
  After enrollment, the person becomes spiritually united with the Carmelite Order worldwide, sharing in its prayers and promises.

PREPARING FOR ENROLLMENT

• Bring or Obtain a Scapular
  You may wear a brown scapular anytime, but the spiritual benefits begin only after formal enrollment.
  (You may bring your own scapular or purchase one from the parish for $10.)
• Speak With a Fr. Séamus or another Catholic priest
  Enrollment typically takes place at Sunday Mass here at our parish.
• Live the Commitment
  Wearing the scapular is a daily reminder to live a life of prayer, charity, and devotion.

A GIFT FROM OUR LADY

The Brown Scapular is a beautiful sign of Mary’s maternal care.

Tradition recalls the words of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251:

“Whoever dies clothed in this garment shall not suffer eternal fire.”

A BRIEF HISTORY

According to Carmelite tradition, in 1251 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelite Order, in Aylesford, England. She gave him the brown scapular as a sign of her protection and a pledge of salvation for those who faithfully wear it and seek to live a Christian life.

Over time, this privilege was extended to the faithful throughout the Church who choose to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular and remain devoted to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

A SIMPLE BUT DEEP DEVOTION

True devotion to Mary is expressed in veneration, confidence, and love.

Wearing the scapular is a silent prayer—a constant act of entrusting oneself to Mary’s care and a reminder to follow Jesus faithfully.

Many people hold their scapular during prayer or in moments of temptation, trusting in the intercession of the Mother of God.

ENROLLMENT IN THE CONFRATERNITY

Anyone wishing to participate fully in the scapular promise must be enrolled.

Every Catholic priest has the faculty to perform the ceremony.

Those enrolled share in the spiritual benefits, prayers, and merits of the Carmelite family throughout the world.

Requirements for the scapular itself:

• Should be 100% brown wool
• Should not be encased in plastic
• Should not be pinned to clothing
• Is worn over the shoulders: one panel resting on the chest, the other on the back

THE SABBATINE PRIVILEGE 

A longstanding tradition in Carmelite spirituality speaks of a special favor known as the Sabbatine Privilege:

Mary is said to offer her assistance to souls wearing her scapular by helping them quickly from purgatory, especially on Saturday, the day dedicated to her.

1. Wearing the Brown Scapular faithfully
2. Living chastity according to one’s state in life
3. Living a life of prayer, fulfilled in one of the following:
   • Praying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, OR
   • Observing Church fasts and abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays, OR
   • Praying five decades of the Rosary daily (with permission), OR
   • Substituting another good work with a priest’s permission

MORNING OFFERING (Optional Personal Prayer)

O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss the scapular as a sign of your consecration),

I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world,

joining with it the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day.

O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them to the interests of Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Precious Blood of Jesus, save us!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

THE ROSARY AND THE SCAPULAR

“The Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable.”

All who wear the scapular are strongly encouraged to pray the Rosary daily.