Hunting for Scapulars

First, a quick intro to the Brown Scapular.

The scapular is a small piece of cloth that is a part of the Carmelite Order, a religious community. Those who wear the scapular are sharing in the order's special devotion to the Mother of Christ. They who wear the scapular in a spirit of true devotion and love have a special claim to Mary's intercession and protection.

On the surface, some people may think scapulars are superstitious "good luck charms" that guarantee our entrance into heaven. They do not. Only living in a state of grace will guarantee us eternal salvation. However, scapulars are a special gift from God by which we attain protective graces.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock in the year 1251. She promised that all who wear the brown scapular "shall not suffer eternal fire; if wearing it when they die, they shall be saved." This assumes, of course, that one does not deliberately lead a sinful life and make a mockery of God's law.

For me, the brown scapular has been a constant source of comfort.  I also believe that when I wear it, I am showing our blessed Mother my faith in Her intercession.

All these years, I've been buying countless pieces of scapulars.  Where I live, the pieces sold are of poor quality.  They fall apart so easily.  The cords are thin and the images on the felt pieces look weird.  One friend even said it reminded him of Chucky.  Brrrr.

This scapular is a better-looking version compared to the ones I can buy in my hometown. 

I tried searching in religious shops for better-looking and more durable scapulars.  Finally I gave up.  Today I ventured online and what a treasure trove of scapulars have I found.  Here are some of the available scapulars... gorgeous!

 The Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel
(the traditional scapular)

 The Scapular of Mount Carmel

 The Divine Mercy Scapular

 The Red Passion Scapular

 

Children's Scapular

 The Crusader Scapular

For more information about the Brown Scapular, read 'Garment of Grace'.

P/S : I have found an absolutely wonderful supplier of scapulars at Rosescapular.net.  I've been buying from them and shipments are prompt.  Requests via email have been handled well (and I've even made friends!).  The scapulars are also of good quality (I'm super satisfied!).  My favourites are the Mount of Carmel scapulars, the St Michael scapular, the Crusader Scapular and the Trinity Scapular.  Friends have been reporting that the scapulars have helped them a lot.  Some have reported better sleep (they had been troubled with restless dreams or nightmares... even actual disturbances in their rooms.).

The Heroic Act of Charity

From my previous post on Indulgences, I quoted from the Cathechism of the Catholic Church something about the Heroic Act.

This refers to the Heroic Act of Charity.

There may be some among us who feel sad for the neglected and forgotten Holy Souls in Purgatory and want to help as much as possible.  Besides the Prayer of St Gertrude, we can also offer all the satisfactory value of our prayers, alms, fasts, penances, and the suffrages given to us after our deaths, without reserving anything at all with which to discharge our own debts. We do not do this of our own, but instead deposit our offering with the Blessed Virgin Mary that she might distribute them, as the Mediatrix of All Graces, according to her good pleasure, to those souls she chooses to deliver from Purgatory.

Since by doing this, we forgo the lessening of our own time in Purgatory, hence the title Heroic Act.  St Gertrude and St Therese of Lisieux made this vow while still alive.

This vow is revocable at any time.

By making this vow, we greatly increase our merits in Heaven, especially because we put our total faith in God's Mercy on us.

The Heroic Act of Charity

O Holy and Adorable Trinity, desiring to aid in the relief and release of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, through my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I cede and renounce, on behalf of these souls, all the satisfactory part of my works, and all the suffrages which may be given to me after my death. In their entirety, I offer them to Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, that she may use them, according to her good pleasure, for those souls of the faithful departed whom she desires to alleviate their suffering. O my God, deign to accept and bless my offering which I make to Thee through the most august Queen of Heaven and Earth. Amen.

For those who may argue against praying 'for the dead'.
II Maccabees 12:43-46 : "And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."