Scapular
by Saint Alphonsus
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; and with a robe of justice he bath covered me. Isaias 61, 10.
I.
THE ORIGIN OF THIS DEVOTION.

The institution of the Scapular is to be attributed to St. Simon Stock, an Englishman by birth, one of the ornaments of the church in the thirteenth age.
Having retired to the desert at the age of twelve years, he passed thirty days in the practice of the most austere penance and contemplation. Meeting with some Carmelite religious, called brothers of the Virgin, on account of their tender devotion towards her, he took their habit, and went to pass six years of profound solitude on Mount Carmel. On his return to Europe, having become General of his order, in 1245, as he was one day asking the blessed Mother of God, in the simplicity of his confidence, to grant him a mark of her protection; she appeared to him in great glory, surrounded by myriads of angels. and holding in her hand a Scapular, or covering for the shoulders, Which she gave to him, saying these words: "My well beloved son, receive this Scapular which I present to you and to all the members of your order; it is by this sign that I wish you should be hereafter recognized as my children; it is a privilege granted you and all the children of Mount Carmel, so that whoever shall die invested with this holy habit shall have an assurance of my protection in escaping everlasting flames: "In quo quis moriens aeternum non patietur incendium:" it is a mark of predestination, a safeguard in dangers, an emblem of peace, and the symbol of perpetual alliance. This vision has been so well attested by all the evidences that could guaranty its authencity, that the wise Pope Benedict XIV, has not hesitated to say: "We believe it true and we are of opinion that all the world should hold it as true; hone visionem veram credimus, veramque habendam ab omnibus arbitramur. (De, Beat, 1V.--2. 9. et de Fest. II.-9.)” We will not then be astonished that this devotion has been rapidly propagated, and that it continues to flourish through out the catholic world.

II. OF THE ADAVANTAGES WHICH IT PROCURES.

It entitles us to the promises of the Blessed Virgin, that is to say that the Scapular: 1. Serves as a pledge of a more intimate and lasting union with the august queen of heaven; 2. It protects us, as a celestial armour, in the dangers both of soul and body; 3. It becomes for us a preservative against the flames of hell, by assuring to us, during life and at the hour of death, the most special aid of the powerful Mother of God. We can undoubtedly be saved without wearing the Scapular, but with it salvation is easier and more certain; what more is necessary to attach us to it?
II We participate in all the good works of the Carmelite order, as is expressed in the formula of the reception: the first says  In virtue of the power which has been intrusted to me, I receive and admit you to the full participation of all the prayers, penances, suffrages, alms, watchings, masses, offices and other spiritual duties, which are performed day and night, in every part of the world, through the mercy of Jesus Christ, by all the religious of the holy order of Mount Carmel.

III. We gain numerous indulgences
PLENARY INDULGENCES.

1. On the day of our reception. (Paul V.)
2. On the Feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel, the 16th of July, or on one of the days of the Octave. (Paul III. Benedict.)
3. On the day of each month when there is a procession in honour of the blessed Virgin, when we assist at it. (Paul V.)
4. At the article of death, provided we pronounce at least with the heart, the holy name of Jesus.
5. Any time that the other confraternities enjoy any plenary indulgence. (Sixtus IV.—Clement VIII.)

PARTIAL INDULGENCES.

1. An indulgence of 5 years and 5 quarantines to members who accompany the holy Viaticum, and pray for the sick.
2. Of 5 years and 5 quarantines to all those who communicate once a month, and pray according to the intentions of our holy father, the Pope.
3. Of 100 days every time we perform a spiritual or corporal work of mercy.
4. Of 40 days, when we recite each day 7 Paters and Aves, etc.—all these different indulgences are applicable to the souls in Purgatory.

INDULGENCES STYLED SABBATINE.

Note.—A term derived from the Jewish Sabbath, our Saturday.
"It is not only in this life," says the Roman Breviary, "the B. V. Mary shows herself favourable, to the children of Mount Carmel, it is also in the life to come; for her power and her goodness extend every where. All those who wear the Scapular are careful to recite the few prayers prescribed, and preserve chastity according to their state of life, may hope (pie creditur,) that should they have to suffer the fire of purgatory, Mary will come to console them in her maternal tenderness, and cause them to enter their heavenly country as soon as possible; (quantocius,) especially on Saturday, the day consecrated to her, adds Pope Paul V. in a bull of 1612.
When a true Christian is at the point of death, with what earnestness does he not recommend himself to his parents and friends, that they may abridge by their prayers the time of expiation which he dreads! But will they be faithful to this injunction? Will they pray for him? Will they procure for him the prayers of others? He knows not, and has too often reason to doubt it; men so soon forget! The servant of Mary has no such fears—he has only to observe some easy practices to be sure of relief; for Mary does not forget, as men do! She remembers her children, she remembers also her promises; and soon introduced into glory, they feel the happiness of having been faithful to her.

OF THE DUTIES TO BE FULFILLED.

The devotion of the Scapular imposes no obligation under pain of sin; but the privileges which it grants are not obtained but on certain conditions.
1. In order to be entitled to a more special protection of the B. V. M., the merits of the Carmelites, and the plenary and partial indulgences, three things are necessary: 1. To be received by a priest duly authorized; 2. To wear the Scapular constantly; 3 To be inscribed upon the register of the confraternity.
2. To obtain the Sabbatine indulgence, chastity must be observed according to each ones state, and the little office of the blessed Virgin or the canonical office recited. The office may be supplied by the fasts of the church and abstinence on Wednesday and Saturday; or if these fasts and abstinences are not possible, by some works equally painful and meritorious, as prescribed by a priest authorized to receive members, or by the confessor. Any one neglecting to gain the Sabbatine indulgence, does not lose the benefit of the other privileges.
In order to gain any plenary indulgence, confession, communion, and prayer, according to the intentions of the church (i.e. the Pope), are requisite.

The intentions of the Supreme Pontiff are: the exaltation of Holy Mother Church, the extirpation (overcoming) of heresies, propagation of the Faith, the conversion of sinners and peace among Christian nations.  Unless specific prayers are prescribed for the Pope's intentions, any vocal prayers may be used.