Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Scapular and the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel give us something very important to think about.  First of all, we begin with Mt. Carmel, a mountain in Jerusalem near Mt. Tabor or the place where Jesus was transfigured.  Ever since the prophet Elijah, this has been a place of prayer for hermits and other ascetics.  Somewhere in the 1200s, St. Simon Stock received an apparition of our Lady where she promised to release from Purgatory on the Saturday after their death, those that were part of his religious community and were faithful to chastity. 

Over time, this developed in the Scapular for Lay People since they wanted to have the same benefits that was given to the Carmelites.  This devotion, therefore, is very old and gives us a very important grace from God.  What does it involve?  Simply wear a blessed scapular, live chastity according to your state in life whether married or not, and offer Our Lady some prayer (Hail Marys or the Salve Regina). 

For those that are more aware of the demand of holiness from our God, they realized quickly that this is a very easy way for us to avoid the necessary purifying of Purgatory once we die.  You see, nothing imperfect can enter Heaven, and so if we die in a state of grace (no mortal sin) and yet still have some venial sins or impoerfections on our soul, then God will purify through the fires of Purgatory.  Let me put it this way, the last time you tried to remove an imperfection or flaw from your behavior, did if feel good?  NO WAY.  Imagine how it will feel in Purgatory!!!! So this is a very generous mercy that God gives us to through our Lady. 

Some people might respond that this sounds a bit too mechanical, superstitious, or presuming an overly severe God.  I would respond quite the opposite!  God is merciful, but his mercy takes on concrete forms: such as the brown scapular that we are here mentioning.  His mercy becomes tangible through these sacramentals and prayers that we can offer up on a daily basis.  And mechanical? No WAY! You try living a chaste life and tell ME if it is mechanical!! It is a life that is filled with God's love and driven by the Holy Spirit.  Let us take up with renewed faith this beautiful and ancient devotion to Our Lady!