July 16 marks the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In the 13th century, she appeared to English Carmelite St. Simon Stock. She gave him the brown scapular to be worn over the neck and symbolize her sacramental protection for eternal life.
Over 700 years later, the scapular remains an important symbol of devotion to Mary.
FR. MICEAL O'NEILL
Carmelite
It had this added meaning of protection. Protection in life and protection at the hour of death. And that, over the centuries became a very important element in people's lives. And so the Carmelite scapular and the devotion to the Carmelite scapular grew quite rapidly.
Some popes have also had a particular devotion to the tradition of the scapular. While in Chile, Pope Francis crowned a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
And Pope St. John Paul II also wore a scapular.
FR. MICEAL O'NEILL
Carmelite
He made no secret of the fact that he had worn the scapular all his life and he talked about that as an expression of his particular love for the Blessed Virgin.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated all around the world with festivals and processions.
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