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.

"My Lady's Knight": Charles Untz.

Charles Untz once wrote to one of his friends,

 "Don't take God's mercy for granted

 because death will come you when you least expect it,

 so make sure you are as blameless as possible

 when that time comes."*

The Scapular kid.

Charles Anthony Francis Untz, killed by a driver who did not see him, right in front of his family's home, as Charles set out on his short walk to work.  Charles died that day, March 20, 1998 at the age of eighteen.

On his college application, Charles wrote, "I go to Eucharistic Adoration and Mass almost every morning before school. I think that this sets a better mood for the day. "

Charles enjoyed country living, the horses and other animals, and his job across the street at the turkey farm. He especially enjoyed his scouting experiences. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout on July 8, 1998. For his Eagle project he wrote an altar server handbook for Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids, MN, and directed the training of the new servers.

Before moving west, he and his family mowed the lawn, and shoveled and plowed the walks and parking lot of St. John Bosco Church, Stamford, VT. Charles also mowed the lawn at St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams, MA. Both projects were done as a volunteer.

Charles became an altar server when he was eight. He was the only server at the small parish of St. John Bosco, where he served for 5 years. His family transferred to St. Francis of Assisi where he served for two years. In 1996, the family moved to Andover, Minnesota; and he served at Epiphany Church until his birth into eternal life in 2000. He had that "presence" about him when he was serving that can’t be taught. One could see that he truly believed that Jesus was present.

Charles began praying the Liturgy of the Hours regularly when he was eleven. At the same time, he started serving as a Youth 2000 New England volunteer. He designed the web page, maintained the mailing list, and designed flyers and nametags. During the retreats he was an altar server and sacristan, and the general gopher for whatever was needed. For Youth 2000 Minnesota, he maintained the mailing list, designed the nametags, served at the altar, and was available to help behind the scenes whenever needed.

Charles had a great devotion to Mary. He designed and made his own brown scapular on his Mom’s embroidery machine. On one side was "My Lady" and the other side was "Mary" with twelve stars around it. In 1999, he also made a Mother’s Day card for Mary (this was discovered after his death).

On his "Ambition and Life Purpose" sheet for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, Charles Anthony Francis Untz wrote, "My life purpose is to do the will of God. My ambition in life is to become a saint. There is nothing harder to achieve than this, but I will continue to strive for it. " - Source

Source

Pray for us Charles, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


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