“The sign of the Scapular points to an effective synthesis of Marian spirituality, which nourishes the devotion of believers and makes them sensitive to the Virgin Mother’s loving presence in their lives. The Scapular is essentially a “habit”. Those who receive it are associated more or less closely with the Order of Carmel and dedicate themselves to the service of Our Lady for the good of the whole Church.”
. . .
“Two truths are evoked by the sign of the Scapular: on the one hand, the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin, not only on life’s journey, but also at the moment of passing into the fullness of eternal glory; on the other, the awareness that devotion to her cannot be limited to prayers and tributes in her honour on certain occasions, but must become a ‘habit’, that is, a permanent orientation of one’s own Christian conduct, woven of prayer and interior life, through frequent reception of the sacraments and the concrete practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. In this way the Scapular becomes a sign of the ‘covenant’ and reciprocal communion between Mary and the faithful: indeed, it concretely translates the gift of his Mother, which Jesus gave on the Cross to John and, through him, to all of us, and the entrustment of the beloved Apostle and of us to her, who became our spiritual Mother.”
“For the members of the Carmelite Family, Mary…is not only a model to imitate but also the sweet presence of a Mother and Sister in whom to confide.
“St. Teresa of Jesus right urged her sisters: ‘Imitate Our Lady and consider…what a good thing it is to have her for our Patroness…’
“This intense Marian life…expressed in trusting prayer, enthusiastic praise and diligent imitation, enables us to understand how the most genuine form of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, expressed by the humble sign of her Scapular, is consecration to her Immaculate Heart…as the blessed Carmelite martyr Titus Brandsma expressed it… ‘we too must accept God in our hearts, carry him in our hearts, nourish him and make him grow in us so that he is born of us and lives us as…Emmanuel.” (emphases added)
“…this rich Marian heritage for Carmel has become, through the spread of the Holy Scapular devotion, a treasure for the whole Church.”
“I too have worn the Scapular of Carmel over my heart for a long time!”
. . .
“Two truths are evoked by the sign of the Scapular: on the one hand, the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin, not only on life’s journey, but also at the moment of passing into the fullness of eternal glory; on the other, the awareness that devotion to her cannot be limited to prayers and tributes in her honour on certain occasions, but must become a ‘habit’, that is, a permanent orientation of one’s own Christian conduct, woven of prayer and interior life, through frequent reception of the sacraments and the concrete practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. In this way the Scapular becomes a sign of the ‘covenant’ and reciprocal communion between Mary and the faithful: indeed, it concretely translates the gift of his Mother, which Jesus gave on the Cross to John and, through him, to all of us, and the entrustment of the beloved Apostle and of us to her, who became our spiritual Mother.”
“For the members of the Carmelite Family, Mary…is not only a model to imitate but also the sweet presence of a Mother and Sister in whom to confide.
“St. Teresa of Jesus right urged her sisters: ‘Imitate Our Lady and consider…what a good thing it is to have her for our Patroness…’
“This intense Marian life…expressed in trusting prayer, enthusiastic praise and diligent imitation, enables us to understand how the most genuine form of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, expressed by the humble sign of her Scapular, is consecration to her Immaculate Heart…as the blessed Carmelite martyr Titus Brandsma expressed it… ‘we too must accept God in our hearts, carry him in our hearts, nourish him and make him grow in us so that he is born of us and lives us as…Emmanuel.” (emphases added)
“…this rich Marian heritage for Carmel has become, through the spread of the Holy Scapular devotion, a treasure for the whole Church.”
“I too have worn the Scapular of Carmel over my heart for a long time!”