The Scapular Devotion

"I too have worn the scapular over my heart for a long time!" - JPII

A devotion perennially 'blooming as the rose, fragrant as the lily' ...

Yesterday I came across a Catholic news clip discussing the origins/history of the scapular*, and the reporter said the scapular became more popular since Vatican II.  I was surprised to hear her say that because I am quite sure Vatican II had nothing to do with it unless one includes the example of Blessed John Paul II, who was especially devoted to the scapular of Mt. Carmel and was himself a III Order Carmelite, immersed in the mysticism of Carmel.  Otherwise, devotion to the scapular pretty much fell out of favor after the Council, sometimes with Carmelite scholars practically bending over backwards to explain away the pious legends and traditions surrounding its origins and use.  Likewise, investiture in the scapular, once an add-on ceremony to the reception of First Communion for kids, eventually fell out of favor as well - right after the Council. 

I believe one frequently over looked reason for the popularity of the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the 20th century has been the message of Fatima.  At the end of the cycle of apparitions at Fatima, on the day of the miracle, October 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared dressed in the habit of Mt. Carmel holding the scapular.  Sr. Lucy concluded from this apparition that Our Lady desired that the faithful should wear the scapular as a sign of devotion for the Virgin, and in recognition of her special protection, performing this work in addition to praying the rosary every day.  Devotees of Fatima have ever since stressed the importance of the scapular and promoted its use.

In the year 2000, the North American Carmelite Fathers issued a new document called, The Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Catechesis and Ritual.   It is a complete and up to date doctrinal statement on the devotion. At the end is a 2001 letter from Bl. John Paul to the Carmelites praising the tradition of the holy scapular.  I especially love this:

"I too have worn the scapular over my heart for a long time!  Out of love for our common heavenly Mother, whose protection I constantly experience, I hope that this Marian year will help all the men and women religious of Carmel and the devout faithful who venerate her with filial affection to grow in her love and to radiate to the world the presence of this Woman of silence and prayer, invoked as Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope and Grace." - JPII, 25 March 2011

Thus it seems to me that it was Our Lady and her pope who did the most to promote devotion to the scapular and the rosary - not the Council, and certainly not the "Spirit of Vatican II".  Just sayin'.    



*The scapular as an article of clothing goes further back than medieval times - it was part of the monastic habit - in one form or another - going back at least to St. Pachomius (4th century), who was believed to have received it from an angel, as part of the monastic 'schema' - still worn by Orthodox monks.