+In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
FIRST DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
The Prophet Elias
The Prophet Elias, concerning whose birth the Holy Scripture is silent, may be called the 'man of fire'. The Holy Ghost narrates his appearance in the world with wonderful precision. The word of Elias burned like a fiery torch, his mind, his heart, and his whole being were aflame with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Fire purifies, and a man thus enkindled must be pure and holy, cleansed from all worldly dross. A mighty soul in God's sight, he shut the heavens, and no rain fell. At his command, the dead arose. He called on heaven for justice, and the clouds sent down fire. At his prayer, the long drought ceased, and an abundance of rain fell. The most glorious mystery of the Holy Virgin, the dogma that most highly extols her, her fairest crown of honor, the Immaculate Conception, was revealed to this great Prophet, who was translated in a fiery chariot, and is to come again at the end of the world to combat the Antichrist, and appease the wrath of God. In the little cloud, "the size of a man's foot", that rose from the sea, and increasing, covered the heavens and sent abundance of rain, the prophetic spirit of Elias saw a most beautiful image of Mary Immaculate. The little cloud rises from the sea, but is not bitter like the sea. Mary is born from our corrupt race, but in her there is no taint of original sin. The Divine Redeemer preserved her from it by the merits of His future Passion and Death. The mystery of the little cloud seen by Elias is not a mere fancy of biblical interpreters. Our Holy Mother, the Church, approves the explanation we have given. In the lessons of the Divine Office for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we read the the little cloud seen by Elias the Prophet marvelously typified Mary Immaculate. Immortal glory to the Prophet of Carmel, the man of fire, zealous for the glory of God, and of Mary, who with prophetic spirit understood the wonderful mystery of the Immaculate Conception, the most excellent of Mary's privileges!
EXAMPLE
The Venerable Francis de Yepes, brother of St. John of the Cross, compared the holy Scapular to an invincible weapon by which he always conquered every temptation, and overcame the snares of the devil. On a certain occasion, the devils threatened him, and bade him remove his Scapular, but the holy man replied that he would always wear it, and venerate it, and that, moreover, he would strive with all his power to propagate its devotion. Thereupon the devils said to him, that they hated three things, first to hear the Holy Name of Jesus; second, to hear the Name of Mary; third, to see the Scapular worn by a Christian.
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine,
None like to Thee
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
Blessed be thou, O Lady and Queen of Carmel, in thy Immaculate Conception! Let all creatures praise and bless thee! Let the Angels in heaven chant eternal glory to thee! The just on earth and even the very demons bend the knee before thee, who art all beautiful and all fair, and without original stain. The beauty of Carmel has been given to thee, and the glory, of Lebanon. We also, most Holy Mother, rise from the sea of this world, not like thee all pure and Immaculate, but loaded with misery and sins. Help us, save us, look upon us who cry to thee. Turn, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us.
Amen.
SECOND DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
The Order of Mount Carmel
The Prophet Elias did not stop with the vision of the little cloud. His knowledge of the Virgin whose rising would precede the coming of the Immaculate Sun of Justice, caused his mind to be
absorbed by this wonderful type of the mystery of the Immaculate Conception. His soul, aflame for all that was great and divine, made him love with the whole strength of his being, the ever
Blessed Virgin, who was to bring us the Divine Rain besought by another prophet with ardent tears, "Let the clouds rain from above the Just One". " Now the heart of the man has laws by which it is guided. Man has not made these laws. The will of God has graven them in his soul. These laws govern the relations between God and man, from his creation and redemption to his glorification in heaven. To imitate the beloved, to desire to resemble the object of our heart's affection, such is the law of love. By this law, the Word was made flesh, and man was Deified. Elias, in his ecstatic contemplation, in his burning love for Mary Immaculate, wished to imitate her, desired to resemble her, longed to imprint her in his heart and in his life. He conceived the idea of the religious state, and established a religious Order that should imitate the Most Pure
Virgin. Hence, the Carmelite Order, pre-eminently Mary's. It sprang from the natural law of imitation. It was the first to venerate her publicly, erecting a chapel in her honor, and the hermits of Mount Carmel had the singular privilege of receiving familiar and affectionate visits from her before her death, as the Holy Church relates in the office of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is not strange, therefore, that Christ Himself calls it, "the Order of the Virgin" *(Life of St. Teresa.)
EXAMPLE
Father Parmetier narrates the following facts: "In the year 1717, on account of an extraordinary inundation, the city of Nantes was flooded, and the Carmelite Church of that city which contained the sepulchre of the Dukes of Brittany, was ruined. The Government directed that the sepulchre be opened, in order to repair the damage caused by the flood. In the sarcophagus, the Royal Commissioners found a wooden box, containing another of lead, of which was enclosed a golden heart, all living in water. The inner recpetacle of gold contained the heart of the late Queen Anne of Brittany, together with the holy Scapular she always wore. On opening it, the Commissioners found that the heart of the Queen had been reduced to ashes, but the Scapular remained in perfect condition, as if it had just been placed there, though it naturally should have decayed, after lying in water for 18 years. This fact was attested by a Royal Preces-Verbal".
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine
None like to Thee
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
I give thanks to thee, O Virgin Mother of Carmel, for the wonderful gift of thy holy Scapular, the badge of thy Confraternity, by which I share in all the spiritual blessings and graces of thy holy Order, founded by St. Elias for thy greater glory. O my Mother, make me worthy to wear thy sacred livery; may my heart ever be faithful to thee, and preserved from every stain of sin.
Amen
THIRD DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition).
Amen.
St. Simon Stock
The devil, that ancient serpent who wages eternal war against the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and of men, bitterly hates the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mary's privileged family. Because it is the work of her Immaculate hands, it draws upon itself all the fury, malice
and persecution of the evil one. Scarcely had the Carmelites come from the East and settled in the West, when the devil raised such a terrible storm against them that it threatened their very existence, the right to which was denied by some of their enemies. Some said they were newcomers, and therefore, they could not be trusted, and others said that they were not the children of the Mother of God, as they pretended, but descendants of Mary of Egypt. Is there
anything more distressing to the heart of a loving child than to hear his relationship to his mother denied? The Carmelites, the first-born of Mary's family and entirely consecrated to her, having no other desire than to please her in all things, now experienced this bitter anguish, seeing their glorious and most cherished title --children of Mary-- so hotly contested. To whom should they turn but to Mary, who never forsakes her children? Saint Simon Stock, thenGeneral of the Order, poured out his heart at the feet of the beautiful Queen of Carmel, and, in a moment of Sublime inspiration, exclaimed, "Most holy Virgin! Beauty of Carmel Virgin Flower forever in bloom! Bright Ornament of Heaven! Thou Virgin-Mother of a Man-God! Mother of holy love! Mother of mercy and meekness! Star of the sea! O Mary, show us thou art our Mother! O Virgin most holy, give me a sign of thy predilection for thine Order of Carmel which will astonish our adversaries, and confound our detractors!" The confidence and perseverance of this true disciple of Elias could not but win the favor of the Queen of Carmel, who appeared to him with the Infant Jesus in her arms, surrounded by a multitude of celestial spirits, and holding in her hand the Scapular of the Order, which she presented to him, said, "Receive, my beloved son, this Scapular of thine Order, as the distinctive sign of my Confraternity". Before disappearing from the enraptured gaze of the saint, the Blessed Virgin directed him to go to the Vicar of her Divine Son, who was then the Innocent IV, assuring him that the Pope would end the persecution then raging against the Order.
EXAMPLE
Our Holy Father, Saint John of the Cross, knowing by divine revelation the day and hour of his death, a few moments before he expired gave thanks to his Mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for having obtained for him the happiness of dying on Saturday, the day of the week sacred to her honor.
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
Virgin Mother of Carmel, remember thy children who are consecrated to thee by the holy Scapular! The wicked spirit always persecutes those who are thine, and he will strive also to encompass my ruin. I place my trust in thee, O Flower of Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Ever-Immaculate Queen! O Mother mild, implore thy Son to hear our prayers now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
FOURTH DAY.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
The Holy Scapular Our Lady's heart is a mother's gentle, tender heart, with love and affection deeper than that of all other mothers, for she has given birth to thousands and millions of children at the foot of the Cross. A mother's heart cannot resist the supplications of her son. The Blessed Virgin lovingly heard the entreaties of her sorrowing child, St. Simon Stock, who tells us, "When I, though dust and ashes, poured out my heart before the Lord, and with full confidence, besought my Lady, the Virgin Mary, since she wishes that we the Carmelites should be called her brothers, to show us her power, delivering us from the persecution, and giving us at the same time a public testimony of the solicitude and motherly love which she has for us, my. Sovereign Lady appeared to me, with hosts of angels around her, and having the Scapular in her hand, she thus addressed me, 'This will be the privilege for thee and for all the Carmelites. He who dies wearing it shall not suffer the flames of hell'." These are the words of a saint to whom Carmel owes special veneration and gratitude. He obtained from Our Lady this gift which is a great honor, not only for the order, but also for all Christians, who living in the world, enroll themselves in the Confraternity of Mount Carmel, and who, together with the Carmelite religious of both genders, form Mary's chosen family.
EXAMPLE
The Venerable Lezana narrates that in the city of Palma, there was a young man who, on account of his evil life, was on the verge of despair, and in a moment of anger stabbed himself; but fortunately for him, the dagger struck his Scapular. He made a second attempt with still greater fury, but with the same result, because the Scapular is an invulnerable shield. Then the young man, with great shame, began to reflect on his evil life, and heard the following words, "My son, because of my Scapular, thou shalt not die in mortal sin". The young man thereupon did penance for his sins, and in later years died devoutly.
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
I thank thee, my Lady and Mother! The promise accompanying the gift of thy Scapular is so great that, were it not for thine own word, I could not credit it. It is thy heart, thine arm, thy love and thy power. Thou wilt not permit, Mother, that my soul be lost, nor that my heart be unfaithful to thy Divine Son. Thy maternal love is boundless. Thou knowest well all the dangers that we must overcome in this valley of tears, thou knowest our weakness and our malice, and that the devil seizes every opportunity to drag us to perditoin. But thou art more powerful than the wicked one, whose head is forever crushed by thy heel. We trust in thee, and under thy protection we take refuge. O Holy Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all danger, O ever glorious and Blessed Virgin! Amen.
FIFTH DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition).
Amen.
The First Privilege
"Whoever dies wearing piously this Scapular, shall not suffer eternal flames." These are Mary's words. Human ignorance urged on by the malice of the devil, sought to misinterpret this promise of Our Lady by saying that it sufficed to wear the Scapular, and then one might live as one pleased, indulging every passion, without danger to one's salvation, since those who died wearing the Scapular would not suffer the flames of hell. Holy Church, in order to preserve souls from such a pernicious error, added the word, "piously" to Our Lady's promise. This interpretation has given occasion to other erroneous opinions which, though not so blasphemous and injurious to the dignity and maternal love of Mary, belittle the Scapular and her gracious promiise. If the Scapular, indeed, only saves those who die well, there is no reason to praise it overmuch, since the salvation of such is already assured. Such an opinion is contrary to the belief and confidence reposed by all Christians in the Scapular, from the very beginning, neither can it be reconciled with all the miracles performed by Our Lady through her holy Scapular during seven long centuries, miracles wh ich have been acknowledged not only by the Church, but also by the very enemies of the Mother of God, who have been obliged to recognize the supernatural power of the Scapular. The true meaning of Our Lady's promise, "He who dies wearing the holy Scapular will be saved," is that the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Divine grace and Refuge of sinners, will obtain from the Divine Goodness at the moment of their death, true contrition for those who die piously wearing her Scapular, and consequently they will be saved because of it. In like manner are to be explained the pormises of Our Divine Lord in favor of those who are devoted to His Most Sacred Heart. The Scapular is a pledge of predestination. Venerable Claude de la Columbiere of the Society of Jesus, has written these immortal words: "I affirm that there is no more certain sign of our predestination than the holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, and therefore, none which we should esteem so highly and so perseveringly until our death. The Blessed Mother will obtain for us a good end, a happy death, and the vision of God's love and mercy".
EXAMPLE
Rev. Father Teofilo of the Society of Jesus narrates that a soldier of Croatia, having fallen into the hands of his enemies was mortally wounded by them. Making a great effort to speak, he said to them, "Do what you will with me, I am a child of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose Scapular I wear. I shal not die until I have confessed my sins". They left him for dead, but miraculously sustained by Our lady, he walked a distance of three miles to a priest, and having confessed his sins, died a good Christian death.
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
Queen and beauty of Carmel, I kiss thy holy Scapular with the greatest gratitude and profoundest veneration. It reveals to me the goodness of thy pure, maternal heart. Thou dost love us as thine own children, and thou dost ever look upon us with the tenderest mercy. Thy glance is love, hope, and sweetness, of which thy Scapular is but the sign. As the rays of the sun color the flowers, so also thy gaze gives strength to souls to suffer joyfully for God, until they attain everlasting bliss. May I remain ever before thee, my Mother, and do thou turn upon me thine eyes of mercy.
Amen.
SIXTH DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
Conditions to be Fulfilled.
We must repeat again the words of the Salve Regina, "Our Sweetness and our Hope". Ah, yes, Mary is all sweetness to her children, all hope and mercy to those who wear her holy Scapular. Mary has given herself fully to us, and what does she ask in return for the gift of her heart, her power, her all? Venerable Claude de la Colombiere speaks again, "Christian souls, if, to secure for you the riches of heaven, Mary would ask of you all that you possess; if, in return for assuming the responsibility of your perseverance, she exacted from you all that her most zealous servants have done in her honor; if, instead of a little Scapular, she offered you sackcloth, would you hesitate to receive it? On the contrary, would you not take it eagerly? Would you not embrace that precious pledge of your eternal happiness? Is it not true that you would faithfully execute her commands not to endanger your soul's salvation?" Behold, then, the holy Scapular! You have but to accept it form your Mother's hands. If you clothe yourself with it, the Queen of heaven and earth, your Mother, the Mother of your God, assures you of your eternal salvation. One condition alone is necessary, receive the holy Scapular from a priest
empowered to confer it, and wear it constantly on your person until death. Do you not find easy the way of your eternal salvation through the holy Scapular? Is not your heart overflowing with joy and gratitude to your dear Mother for this wonderful gift which assures your salvation? Will you not show your gratitude to Mary by remembering her often and especially saluting her with praise whenever you hear the clock strike? Repeat these words: Praised and blessed be the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, and the hour in which she gave the holy Scapular to St. Simon Stock! Will you not visit this dear Mother at least once a week, and thank her with all your heart for having given you the holy Scapular? Ah, yes, undoubtedly you will wish to spend at least fifteen minutes at the feet of your most cherished Mother!
EXAMPLE
Anna Mary, the daughter of a rich merchant of Toulouse, fell dangerously ill. Her parents made a vow, if she were cured, to enroll their dear daughter in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel. Within a few hours the child was completely restored to health. But her parents neglected to accomplish their promise, and the child had a very grave relapse. Her illness was so serious that they despaired of her life. It was then her parents recalling the vow they had made, summoned the priest, and were invested in the holy Scapular together with their child. Wonder of wonders! The sick child was instantly cured!
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
O my Mother, I am ashamed of my ingratitude whenever I recall thy immense goodness in having given thy holy Scapular to me. Thy gift could not be greater, for with it, thou hast given thy heart and all thy treasures. And I, what have I given to thee in return? What return have I made for such bounty? How have I worn thy holy Scapular? With coldness and sinful indifference, my Mother! Perhaps, alas, I have even stained it with my sins! Forgive me, most holy Virgin, forgive me, thou Queen of purity. I shall nevermore dishonour it! With thy help, I promise hereafter to wear it with the greatest reverence and love.
Amen.
SEVENTH DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
The Second Privilege
Blessed be thou, Queen of sweet hope, glory to thee, beauty of Carmel! Let the Angels praise thee, and let men bless thee, and let every heart love thee, because thou art good above all other created goodness, a mother tender and sweet above all other mothers! The Blessed Virgin has lavished graces and favors without number to insure the salvation of her children, but the most compassionate and wonderful of all is that known as the Sabbatine Privilege. About fifty years after the apparition of the Blesssed Virgin to St. Simon Stock, she appeared to Pope John XXII, and promised him that "she would assist and console the children of Carmel detained in Purgatory and also speedily release them on the first Saturday after death". This means that she will deliver the souls of all those who die clothed in the holy Scapular, on the first Saturday after their death, descending herself to Purgatory or sending her holy angels to release them. Let us remark that this promise of the Blessed Virgin is not limited to Saturday, only, but, as the decree of Paul V expressses it,"especially on Saturday". Holy Church, in the Office of Our lady of Mount Carmel, says that Mary will deliver her children as quickly as possible. This privilege, which honors the Order of Carmel so highly, had to suffer bitter persecution before its truth was accepted. Captious and narrow-minded men who would measure the bounty of Heaven by their own selfish hearts, strenuously opposed it. Wretched men! How can you understand a mother's heart, or sound the unfathomable depths of Mary's goodness? Picture the excruciating torments of Purgatory! The Holy souls can do nothing to help themselves, their sufferings can be relieved only by others and those souls have a tender Mother who sees their pain. This mother is Mary, and by grace, Mary is all- powerful to aid them. How can you doubt the Sabbatine Privilege, whose authenticity has been approved and confirmed by no less than six Popes, and accepted by the Church in the solemn Office of Our Lady of Mount Carmel?
EXAMPLE
The Venerable Francis de Yepes, brother of St. John of the Cross, shortly after the death of his beloved wife, felt great anxiety concerning her soul. She, like himself, was a member of the Third Order of Mount Carmel. Our Blessed Lady, appearing to him, said, "After two days and three nights of suffering, today, Saturday, you wife's soul has been delivered by me from Purgatory, and she now enjoys heavenly bliss".
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
Most loving Virgin of Carmel, prostrate at thy feet, I acknowledge, with heartfelt gratitude, thine immense goodness to me. Thou hast left nothing undone in favor of the Carmelites, including the members of thy Confrternity. During life, thou dost protect them. Thou dost succour them in their agony. And, desecnding to Purgatory, thou dost solace their gain, leading them to Heaven the first Saturday after their death! O merciful Queen, may I merit this privilege! Let me be faithful to divine grace, and do not permit that so much mercy and love be bestowed on me in vain! May I merit thy protection during life, and obtain thine assistance in Purgatory, that I may the sooner praise and bless thee forever in heaven!
Amen.
EIGHTH DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
The Blessed Virgin's Habit
We read these consoling words in the Office of Our lady of Mount Carmel: 'The Mother of God hath clothed us with clothing of salvation. Ah, yes, the Scapular is Mary's habit, brought to us by her from Heaven. It is not the pious invention of a devout soul, but the work of Mary's loving hands. It is the pledge of innumerable graces. It is the emblem of wonderful privileges. Therefore we should wear it with the greatest reverence, gratitude and devotion. How highly men of the world prize a decoration of honor! How proudly a subject wears the medals of his king on his breast! What is the Scapular, but the distinctive mark of honor with which the Queen of heaven decks her faithful servants, the insignia bestowed upon her beloved children, the token of her most constant and loving heart? Ah, yes, if our hearts are not of stone, we will see in the Scapular not merely a piece of cloth, nor a simple token of our Mother's remembrance, but it will reveal to us the heart of our Mother which loves us, the glance of our Mother that follows us, the power of our Mother which protects us. The Scapular means all this to a loving child. In temptation, pressing the Scapular to her heart, Mary's child beseeches her with tears, "O my Mother, do not forsake me!" The heart, crushed by the weight of bitter misfortune and tribulation, books at the Scapular, and cries to Our Lady, "Help me, save me, O Mother of mercy!" The dying man, at the last terrible moment taking the Scapular in his hands, kisses it, and wets it with his tears, while through it two hearts, speak--the dying man cries to his Mother, "Forsake me not!" and Mary answers, "I am here, I bless thee, I receive thy soul, fear not!" Thus assured, the dyimg man peacefully expires.'
EXAMPLE
In the Church of the Jesuit College at Rio de Janeiro, a woman was buried in the holy Scapular, which in that place was held in low esteem. Six years later, the grave was opened to bury her husband. Nothing was found of the woman's body, save her bones, but her Scapular was intact and perfectly new. This case was examined by the Bishop of the city, who recognized the miraculous preservation of the Scapular.
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine.
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favours grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
O Mother of Carmel, when my last hour shall sound, that hour of sadness and dismay, when my sight fails, and my spirit, full of fear and anxiety, has to appear before the Judgement-seat of God, do not abandon me! When I take thy holy Scapular into my trembling hands, fill my heart with confidence in it, and do thou, my loving Mother, receive my soul, and offer it to thy sweet Jesus. Amen.
NINTH DAY
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
PRAYER
Immaculate Virgin and Queen of Carmel, thou art the hope of the suffering, the consolation of the afflicted, our aid in tribulations, our light in difficulties, our strength in temptations, and our solace in every pain. I, thy child, have recourse to thee. Dearest Mother, look not upon my sins, but remember only that I am a poor soul redeemed by the Precious Blood of thy Son, and that my heart is sealed with the holy Scapular. O my sweet Mother, have pity on me, for thou art the only refuge of sinners! Hear my prayers, which I offer with all confidence to thy Immaculate Heart, and if it be for the glory of God, for thy honor, and the salvation of my soul, grant what I ask in this Novena (mention your petition). Amen.
The Power of Our Lady
Holy Church tells us that the vesture of Mary is beauty and strength, Fortitudo et decor indumentum ejus. "The Scapular is the garment of Mary, beautiful and strong". Who can prevail against Mary! Who is like Mary! She is omnipotent by grace, and he who dies clothed in her livery shall never perish. The Scapular is the sign of predestination, and like the hand of Our Lady, sweetly and strongly bears souls to heaven. It is Mary's seal. Found on the hearts of Christians, it makes them her property. It is the mark of the covenant and alliance between Mary and men. The dying soul will call on her, and she will hear and hasten to its defense. It will confide its sorrows and pains to her, and she will bring relief. Mary will bless the soul bearing this seal. We must exclaim with the venerable Carmelite, Sister Isabel of Jesus, "O my God, how precious a relic, and how great a consolation to wear this holy Scapular over my heart ! O my Lady and my Mother, from how many dangers has thy holy Scapular not saved us!" The holy Scapular also beautifies the soul, for the Scapular produces in the hearts of those who wear it the same results that light effects upon material objects. As the rays of the sun shed light and warmth upon all creation, and give life and fruit to plants and flowers, so also the holy Scapular enlightens souls, revises their faith, warms their hearts to the practice of virtue, and accompanies them to heaven, there to produce eternal fruit for the glory of God.
EXAMPLE
Father Teofilo Renaldo of the Society of Jesus relates a most wonderful miracle wrought through the holy Scapular. in the year 1626, during the war in Lombardy, a bullet struck the Scapular that Sir Cuge wore. Both the bullet and the cloth of the Scapular entered his heart so that it was impossible for him to live. But, in reward for his great faith and confidence, Mary obtained the miraculous preservation of his life for three days, during which time he prepared himself for a happy death. The miracle was so striking that the Duke of Savoy, Victor Amadeus, summoned the Archbishop of Turin, and had the case examined and certified as a wonder-work of the holy Scapulrar.
Flower of Carmel,
Blossoming Vine,
Splendor of Heaven,
Mother Divine,
None like to Thee.
Mother of our King,
Peerless and fair,
To thy children of Carmel,
Favors grant ever,
Star of the Sea.
PRAYER
O my Mother of Carmel, prostrate at thy feet, I render thee most humble thanks for the holy Scapular which thou has given me with such motherly love! Thy holy Scapular is balm for the suffering soul, or light in tribulations, consolation to the dying, and the pledge of our eternal salvation. How can I prove my gratitude for so much goodness? From this day forward, I shall strive to make thee known to all men. My Mother, receive my heart and my life! My love is and will be forever thine, first here upon earth, and afterwards, for all eternity in Heaven! Amen.
