559. July 16, Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Meditations no. 490 (unofficial computer-aided translation)

The scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of our Marian customs.

I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. By attributing these words to the Virgin Mary in the liturgy, the Church wants to instil in us the assurance and joy of knowing that we are under the protection of a good and beautiful mother who is full of grace and whose heart contains unbounded tenderness for her children. Our joy on this feast is magnified by remembering Aunt Carmen, who celebrated her name day today. We call upon her in heaven and ask her help to love our Lady as much as the saints in heaven do.

Holy Mary has an essential role in each Christian’s life. Our Father taught us to have a great devotion to holy Mary our Mother under all of her titles and in all of the ways in which Christians try to show their affection when they approach the Saviour’s mother, who is also our mother? Referring to the many manifestations of Marian piety in Opus Dei, our Father said that they arose as naturally and effortlessly as a flowing spring, as a consequence of our life as Christians. They are as simple as a child’s love for his mother. All our Marian norms and customs are recommended by the universal Church. They do not stem from the temperament of any specific country, or of a religious order or congregation. They are part of the universal Church’s treasury of piety, and thus belong to any Christian person or family.

Many Christians have the custom of wearing the scapular; or they have acquired the habit of greeting those pictures-a glance is enough-which are found in every Christian home and in many public places; or they recall the central events in Christ’s life by saying the rosary, never getting tired of repeating its words, just like people in love; or they mark out a day of the week for her… , doing some special little thing for her and thinking particularly about her motherhood.

Throughout history, Christians have found many ways of rendering devoted homage to the Queen of Heaven. Our Lady herself has sometimes guided the filial piety of her children by signalling out certain practices to which she has attached her motherly promises. Such is the case of the scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel. On July 16, 1251, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St Simon Stock, the superior general of the Carmelite Order, promising a special blessing for all who wear her scapular. Since then the Church has solemnly and repeatedly approved this devotion that began in England, and various popes have granted numerous spiritual privileges to those who wear the scapular. Our founder followed this practice from his youth, and taught it to us.

The devout use of the scapular shows our trust in Mary’s motherly assistance.

Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are as deep-rooted among the faithful and so richly blessed by the popes. Besides, how motherly is the Sabbatine privilege!

We should be aware of the meaning of the holy scapular of Carmen and use it devoutly. In the ceremony of investiture the priest prays that it be received imploring the most holy Virgin that through her merits you may wear it without sin, and that she defend you from all danger and lead you to eternal life.

We need our Lady’s motherly assistance throughout our earthly pilgrimage. Left to ourselves we run the risk of losing our way. But with her powerful protection we can walk safely. To look upon holy Mary truly consoles and guides us. We find our faith, hope and charity strengthened, along with all the other virtues. Our sights are raised above the bounds of our earthly existence, beyond the limits of the present time.

The scapular is a sign, a material token of Mary’s protection. In keeping with our nature, which is both spiritual and material, we need signs perceptible to the senses to signify something spiritual in our soul. Just as trophies and medals are used as souvenirs and signs of friendship or victory, we see in the scapular a loving reminder of the Blessed Virgin.

It is very much our spirit to use the means for piety that other Christians employ. Since we are little children, one meal a day would not be enough no matter how abundant it is. We need to feed our love continually, kindling it with little expressions of affection. This leads us to use holy human reminders, employing popular devotions that are solidly traditional and doctrinally sound. Have the piety of a child and the learning of a theologian, our Father tells us, and you will see how well things go.

Today’s feast is a chance to renew our Marian devotion. It is a good moment to shake off any routine that may have crept in. We want to thank our Lady for the spiritual privileges that she gives us and renew our appreciation for her scapular. Using words from today’s Mass, we pray: Father, may the prayers of the Virgin Mary protect us and help us to reach Christ her Son who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Confidence that our Lady of Mount Carmel will help us at the hour of our death.

The Blessed Virgin Mary promised many privileges in this world to those who wear her scapular. Moreover, it is a pious belief that, since she is so merciful and powerful everywhere, in the next life she will comfort by her motherly protection those who have worn the scapular and are expiating their sins in the fires of purgatory, and bring them promptly to their heavenly home.

In the Work, we continue wearing the scapular even after death. If the medal bearing the hearts of Jesus and Mary was used, it is replaced by the traditional scapular.

The Blessed Virgin continues her motherly protection after our death. As Pope Paul VI teaches, Mary leads us towards our eternal future. She helps us to discover and long for it. She gives us her hope, assurance, and love. Inspired by such a splendid reality and with unspeakable joy, our humble and tiring earthly pilgrimage is illumined by Mary and transformed into a sure path to paradise: iter para tutum.

One day the time will come for us to depart for the next life. At that moment we will be in greater need than ever of our Mother so as to receive the trophy and crown of eternal life. Since we have lovingly invoked her so many thousands of times, and since we have piously worn her scapular, our Lady will be our sure hope in those moments.

As our Father said, for us, to die is to go to a wedding feast. When we hear the words, ecce sponsus venit, exite obviam ei (Mt 25: 7)-come forth, the bridegroom is coming; He comes in search of you-we will go to the Blessed Virgin’s intercession. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now… and you’ll see at the hour of your death! What a smile you’ll have at the hour of death! There will be no grimace of fear, since Mary’s arms will be there to receive you.

And our founder added: Don’t worry. When the time comes, be calm. I ask God to come for you very late, very late, so that you can go out to meet Him with your hands full of fruit and flowers.

Mother of ours, we place ourselves in your hands, for our soul is uneasy without you. Protect us, since we are your children, and have compassion on our deceased brothers and sisters.