Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July, 16
Edith Breburda
Blessed Isidore Bakanja – Martyr of the Brown Scapular
Written by
See also our devouted, littel, highly intelligent cat Felix and his reflections on the "Brown Scapular".....
Felix the Pilgrimage Cat in Paris, Chartres and Rome.....
.....Then time begins to fly by quickly. Just yesterday, Felix was grumbling, but now that he finds himself in the spectacular Cathedral, he is elated that he is allowed to sit with the children in the first pew, although he remains tucked in between them so that he is not so obvious.
The interior of the Cathedral is cool and dark. Felix with his predominantly black coat blends in easily. No one expects a cat to be in a Cathedral. It is a secret that is safe with the children.
Long before Mass begins, the young pilgrims go forward to kneel at the communion rail. There they receive their Brown Scapular medallion with individual prayers for each child by the priest. It is associated with St. Simon Stock.
In the window above the right side altar, a scene is depicted wherein the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon, on July 16, 1251.
The image reflects the Blessed Mother with the baby Jesus in her lap, holding the Brown Scapular in her hands. St. Simon Stock kneels in front of her and he receives the brown woolen vestment.
Thankfully, Peter had already explained all of this in great detail to the children. A scapular is a short woolen shoulder garment that is worn over the clerical habit.
It’s meaning is purely symbolic, reminding one of Jesus’ words, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11, 29-30). Long ago the oxen wore yokes in order to plow the fields.
The modern scapular consists of two pieces of cloth, one worn on the chest and the other on the back, which are connected by straps or strings passing over the shoulders. In this way, the Blessed Mother provided the Carmelites with their vestments.
It is associated with devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In the very beginning, the Carmelites wished to stay in Jerusalem. At that time, they were still Eremites.
They lived in total solitude, emphasizing sacrifice and spent most of their time in prayer. Their rule was given to them by the Bishop of Jerusalem.
The Eremites lived around the chapel that was dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Their general superior was St. Simon Stock.
When the Blessed Mother appeared to him she explained that the Carmelites who wear the brown scapular are under her special protection.
In addition, whoever wears the scapular at the time of death will emerge from purgatory on the following Saturday. As the children learned the history and meaning of the scapular, everyone was eager to don the scapular. It became a medallion similar to the Miraculous Medal with the passage of time. Peter emphasizes that the scapular reminds one to live as a good Christian.
Everyone was then encouraged to receive the scapular. “All you have to do is come forward during the simple ceremony and kneel at the communion rail.”
While the ceremony of the enrollment progresses, Felix watches with rapt attention. As the priest carefully leans forward and places a scapular on the shoulder of each child, a special prayer is said, which includes:
“He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. The benefits of this blessed scapular will be given to you.”
Felix can understand everything with his sensitive ears and he is becoming extremely jealous. He consoles himself with the thought that perhaps as a cat he doesn’t need a scapular.
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| Mosaic at Carmel Monestary in Carmel/CA |
A truly catholic cat would never end up in purgatory. He hesitates, thinking, “If there is no purgatory, then there is no cat in heaven.” However, our Felix cannot commit a sin because no animal can do that. Animals rely on instinct rather than having a free will. Intellect, free will, and a grave matter are required in order to commit a sin.
It is true, many people praise Felix’ intelligence. He has also a well-formed conscience that helps him to decide what is wrong or right.
However, the feline concludes that, because he does not have free will he cannot commit a sin. This makes him very happy.
As he ruminates about his situation, he realizes that purgatory is never an option for him. He knows that even as a cat he has a very good chance of ending up in heaven.
So, he can skip the Brown Scapular ceremony in good conscience, with peace of mind. Surely, he realizes that the path to heaven is strenuous, just as the journey to Chartres has been. In his wildest dreams, Felix would have never conceived of the possibility of a feline path to heaven… or Chartres.
Previously, he did not understand the meaning of the seminarians’ pilgrimage to Chartres. He had just wondered why everyone disappeared from Wigraztbad during Pentecost. Felix yawns and mumbles to himself, “It will be nice to be back in my comfortable homestead soon.”......
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Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel......May this scapular be for each of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you.....Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son....Most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives.......Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death, so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the blessing of heaven forever...........Amen....Mary conceived withour sin, pray for us who have recourse to you........Our Lady Of Mount Carmel......pray for us...........
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