Our Lady’s mercy is unfathomable. She spares no effort for the salvation of her children. In 1251, about 770 years ago, Our Lady gave to Saint Simon Stock the Scapular and promised: whoever dies wearing it will not suffer the fires of hell.
Newsdesk (July 16, 2021 4:09 PM, Gaudium Press) In the middle of the 13th century, the situation of the Carmelite Order was sad. Misunderstood, envied and persecuted, with its members scattered throughout Europe, the Order of Mount Carmel was like a tree almost completely dried up, about to bear no more fruit. There was, however, a changing factor about to alter the situation: the General of the Order was Saint Simon Stock, an upright, virtuous, and holy English monk.
By then, the Order of Carmel did not have a cohesive structure capable of preserving, promoting, and transmitting to the next generations its spirit, charism, and way of life. The Sacred duties were not yet coordinated and defined. As a result, the mere fact of being the Superior did not give St. Simon absolute authority. His virtue, however, commanded respect, not because he was the General of the Order, but because he was Simon Stock.
Nevertheless, there was a matter that this exceptional man could not manage: the perception that the very Order founded by Saint Elijah had its days numbered. Afflicted, aware of his limitations and weaknesses, he entrusted the Carmel to Our Lady and prayed: “Flower of Carmel, flowering vine, splendour of Heaven, incomparable Virgin and Mother! Sweet Mother, who knew no man, favour the Carmelites, O star of the sea.”
In her fidelity and without him suspecting it, the Mother of Carmel – like Elijah’s Cloud (Cf. 1 Kings 18:44-45) – was preparing overflowing Graces about to descend upon the Order. These extraordinary blessings would transform it into a true “Carmel,” in its Hebrew meaning: “garden of the Lord.”
The Scapular: a Sign of Belonging to Our Lady
It was July 16-17, 1251. Even before dawn, a light more radiant than the sun enveloped Saint Simon: the Mother of God, surrounded by Angels, had come to visit him! Our Blessed Mother, full of goodness, then said:
“Receive, most beloved son, the Scapular of your Order, a sign of my maternal friendship, a privilege for you and all Carmelites. Those who die clothed in this Scapular will not suffer the fires of hell. It is a sign of salvation, support and protection in dangers, and a covenant of peace forever.” Saying this, She handed him the Scapular.
At that time, servants wore a long tunic, and over it, a smaller cloak indicating, through its peculiar characteristics and colours, the identity of their master. The Scapular resembled this tunic and announced that the wearer was, without a doubt, a slave of Mary. Nonetheless, this ancient, 13th century privilege has been extended to the world even today. Certainly, it truly pleases God to see souls who serve his Blessed Mother.
Indeed, those who die clothed in this holy mantle will be judged as servants of Our Lady and – as She herself said – will not suffer the fires of hell. As the Scapular is a sign of belonging to the Mother of God, they could never suffer the outrage of spending eternity among the damned. After all, it is not good to throw pearls at the dogs…
By Lucas Rezende
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj