Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day 9

Opening Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

Reflection:
How am I salt for my community? How do I shine your light for all the community to see? What deeds am I performing in order to glorify God?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you give your love and your grace to do great things. Give us the faith to shine our light by waling humbly and acting justly before our God. Amen.

Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

A Call for a Rosary Novena
By Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God— total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.

May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well‐formed Catholic conscience. Please copy, email, link and distribute this article freely.

God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

Image from: http://www.marysource.com/rosary.html
You'll also find help in saying the rosary or here: http://www.marysource.com/novenas/rosary.htm
for help on how to say a Rosary novena.

Trick or Treat

Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day Eight

Opening prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Isaiah 32:15-18

Until the spirit from on high is poured out on us, then will the desert become an orchard and the orchard be regarded as a forest. Right will dwell in the desert and justice abide in the orchard. Justice will bring about peace; right will produce calm and security. My people will live in peaceful country, in secure dwellings and quiet resting places.

Reflection:
How do I recognize the Spirit's involvement in my life in the community?

Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citzenship - Day Seven

Opening Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

I...urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Reflection:
What divisions exist in my community? What structures in society seem unjust? How am I striving to achieve justice and peace?

Prayer:
God of justice, we are created in your image. May we glorify you in all of our actions. Amen.

Novena prayer:
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day Six

Opening Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Matthew 5:43-46

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for He makes His sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?"

Reflection:
Who are my enemies? How do I love them? How do I live up to the definition Jesus provides for living the Christian lifestyle, a life of Christian love?

Prayer:
God of peace, give us the courage to be reconciled with our neighbors, our enemies. Give us the vision to truly see what it means to be3 a Christian so that peace and justice may rule in our world. Amen.

Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day Five

Opening Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: I Corinthians 11:26-29

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the Body and Blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the Body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Reflection:
How is the Eucharist central in my life? My community? Where do I reach out to the Body of Christ in my community?

Prayer:
Lord, we come together at the Eucharist to celebrate your death and resurrection. Help us experience authentic worship.

Novena Prayer: Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day Four

Sorry for the delay...

Opening Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses said to the people: "Today, I have set before you life and prosperity, death, and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving Him, and walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.

I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to Him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore He would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Reflection:
How do I defend the right to life, espcecially of the unborn and those near death? How am I tempted to turn away from the commandments and not support the right to life of all people? How can I overcome temptation?

Prayer:
God of life, may we protect and defend the inviolable sanctity of life from the moment of conception until natural death with strong voices, gentle hands, and loving hearts. Amen

Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day Three

Opening prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Isaiah 58:2-3,6-8

[The Lord said:] They seek Me day after day, and desire to know My ways, like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; They ask Me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. "Why do we fast, and You do not see it? afflict ourselves, and You take no note of it?" This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed.

Reflection:
What actions do I perform to please God? How am I healing the wounds of others?

Prayer:
God of light, give us the freedom to walk in the footprints of your Son, Jesus. Let our light shine out for all to see by turning to those who call for our help. heal our wounds, heal our nation.
Amen.

Novena prayer:
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citizenship - Day Two

Opening Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Psalm 146:1-8

Praise the LORD, my soul; I shall praise the LORD all my life, sing praise to my God while I live. Put no trust in princes, in mere mortals powerless to save. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth; that day all their planning comes to nothing. Happy those whose help is Jacob's God, whose hope is in the LORD, their God, the maker of heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
the LORD gives sight to the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

Reflection:
Who are the oppressed in your community? How am I helping them secure justice? How am I helping feed and give sight to those most in need?

Prayer:
God of Jacob, strengthen our hope in the Lord. Help us to keep the faith by striving for justice in our land. Give us hearts, hands and feet to truly reach out to those in need.
Amen.

Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Novena for Faithful Citizenship -- Day One

Opening Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Reading: Psalm 8: 2, 4-10

O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! You have set your majesty above the heavens! When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place -- What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet: All sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!

Reflection:
How will I praise God today? How will I show respect for others, especially my neighbor or those in my community who are not like me?

Prayer:
God of love, may we grow in our love for You by respecting the dignity of all people we encounter.
Amen

Novena Prayer:

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasureable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power ofthe Holy Spirit conquer all sin; individual sin and the "sin of the world", sin in all its manifestations.
Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world thi infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.
May it put a stop to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope.
Amen.

Reprinted from the "Sooner Catholic" newspaper, October 12, 2008

Archbishop criticizes Obama, Catholic allies

By AP Religion Writer Eric Gorski, Sun Oct 19

News AP – DENVER – Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput labeled Barack Obama the "most committed" abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years while accusing a Catholic Obama ally and other Democratic-friendly Catholic groups of doing a "disservice to the church."

Chaput, one of the nation's most politically outspoken Catholic prelates, delivered the remarks Friday night at a dinner of a Catholic women's group.

His comments were among the sharpest in a debate over abortion and Catholic political responsibility in a campaign in which Catholics represent a key swing vote.

While Chaput has won praise from traditionalist Catholics for stressing opposition to abortion as a foundational voting issue, voices on the Catholic left have sought to apply church teachings to war, poverty, the environment and other issues.

Although the Catholic left is not new, several advocacy groups have either formed or ramped up activities since 2004. Partly, their efforts are a response to attention given to the pro-abortion rights stance of Democrat John Kerry, a Catholic who was criticized by a few bishops who suggested he should be denied or refrain from Communion.

Chaput, without getting into much detail, called Obama the "most committed" abortion-rights major-party presidential candidate since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on abortion in 1973.

"To suggest — as some Catholics do — that Senator Obama is this year's 'real' pro-life candidate requires a peculiar kind of self-hypnosis, or moral confusion, or worse," Chaput said according to his prepared remarks, titled "Little Murders."

Mark Linton, the Obama campaign's Catholic outreach coordinator, said in a statement Saturday that Obama is "proud to have the support of so many committed Catholics who are hungry for real change after eight years of failed policies. He has offered Americans real solutions even on tough issues like abortion, where we can come together to teach our kids responsibility and self-respect, to prevent unintended pregnancies, and offer strong support to women."

The Obama campaign has been promoting an unusual-suspect sort of endorsement from Douglas Kmiec, a Catholic law professor and former legal counsel in the Reagan administration.

Kmiec wrote a book making a Catholic case for Obama. He argues the Obama campaign is premised on Catholic social teaching like care for working families and the poor and foreign policy premised on peace over war. Democratic efforts to tackle social and economic factors that contribute to abortion hold more promise, Kmiec said, than Republican efforts to criminalize it.

While applauding Kmiec's past record, Chaput said: "I think his activism for Senator Barack Obama, and the work of Democratic-friendly groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, have done a disservice to the church, confused the natural priorities of Catholic social teaching, undermined the progress pro-lifers have made, and provided an excuse for some Catholics to abandon the abortion issue instead of fighting within their parties and at the ballot box to protect the unborn."

Pro-Obama Catholics "seek to contextualize, demote and then counterbalance the evil of abortion with other important but less foundational social issues," said Chaput, who wrote a book this year, "Render Unto Caesar," about Catholics and politics.

Chaput emphasized he was speaking as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Denver archdiocese. The IRS prohibits clergy, in their role as clergy, from supporting or opposing candidates. Chaput already has said that Obama running mate Joe Biden, a Catholic, should not present himself for Communion because of his abortion rights position.

Chris Korzen, executive director of Washington-based Catholics United, which has argued in direct mail and TV ads that taking the "pro-life" position means more than opposing abortion rights, criticized Chaput's statements.

"We are concerned that Archbishop Chaput's comments — even those made in his personal capacity — will have a chilling effect on this dialogue," Korzen said in a statement. "It is also profoundly unfortunate that Archbishop Chaput has chosen to make personal attacks on lay Catholics acting in good faith to promote Catholic values in the public square."

Picture caption: AP – Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput speaks during a news conference in Denver in this Tuesday, July 1, …

Wow! You gotta see this guy!

On being a conservative Republican...



Why he's voting for McCain/Palin and why NOT to vote Democrat...



I can't figure out why this one won't embed properly. Just click on the title of the video and it should take you to myspace tv to see his video. It is worth seeing.

Black & White on the Grey Matters (Jermiah Wright)


I would like to post more but I'd like to watch them first. I also don't want to turn my blog into a political one--oops, too late. He's got more of these videos on My Space TV and You Tube. Go look 'Twenty Pound Sledge' up.

The Brown Scapular

This is an article I copied from http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2008/10/brown-scapular.html It is a blog written by an online friend of mine, a wonderful Catholic apologist. This discussion came about because of accusations posted on Catholic Debate Forum, a place to debate Catholic Teachings.

[Quote]
What is the History of the Scapular?
Originally scapulars were worn by religious to protect their habit while working. They were originally large squares attached by cords and worn over the shoulders, or "scapula" again, as a protection to the habit they were wearing. After an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Simon Stock - Mary attached a promise to those who faithfully wore the Brown Scapular. This promise was initially and specifically for those of St. Simon Stock's order - the Carmelites.

What IS the Promise of Mary?
This is what bothers and even offends our Protestant/separated brethren. The promise is: "Those who die wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire." Taken out of context, this sounds like a superstitious promise and practice of those who would wear the Brown Scapular. Context is important in all things, as I am sure our Protestant/separated brethren would agree. There's more to it than just wearing it! You wear it because you are devoted to the Blessed Trinity. You wear it as a reminder that the pains of hell await those who reject Jesus Christ and His Free Gift, or more importantly those who do not persevere in the Faith. The wearing of the the Brown Scapular does not give you a free pass to Heaven, or allow you to live a life of sin and heresy then show up at the Pearly Gates and just wave your scapular at St. Peter and he lets you in! However, THAT is the way many Protestant/separated brethren look at the sacramental of the Brown Scapular. They seem to think that we believe there is this superstitious "power" behind the mere wearing of the Brown Scapular. While this is NOT the official understanding of WHY we would wear it, there are some stories and/or private revelations which lend some credence to the Protestant/separated brethren concerns - but a closer look at those stories (again, context) reveals something deeper.

If you look at the link to Sr. Mary Agatha's blog (linked below under "Sources") you will see her responding that if one is unfaithful, but superstitiously wears the scapular - essentially, the Blessed Virgin Mary will not be tricked! If you lead a life of treachery and also wear the brown scapular, she relates, somehow that scapular will be removed from your shoulders prior to you dying. A nurse "caring" for you may remove it; you may stumble down a flight of stairs and in the process it falls off, landing beside you at the base of the stairs - and you see it laying there, off your neck, as you breath your last breath, etc.

I have also seen it argued that in wearing the Brown Scapular "faithfully" - that if you do so, you will be given the opportunity, even at the last moment, to repent of your sins and be saved.

In then end - the REAL IMPORTANT FACTOR IN WEARING THE BROWN SCAPULAR IS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. You don't get to Heaven by by-passing persevering in faith. The special devotion to wearing the Brown Scapular is really more than merely wearing it. There are prayers you agree to pray - DAILY - when you are invested into the community - and to NOT pray those prayers, you're not "faithfully" wearing the Brown Scapular. One would have to ask the question - why would anyone living a life of sin and treachery take the time and effort to not only wear the scapular, but to devote themselves, DAILY, to prayer and supplication to our Lord?

Another important factor to remember is that these ALL fall under the realm of "private revelation." Absolutely no Catholic is required to accept, believe or practice the sacramental of the Brown Scapular. One could be a completely faithful Catholic and never partake in or be invested in the Brown Scapular.

I hope this helps answer questions and/or concerns some of you may have had regarding the wearing of scapulars. The Brown Scapular is only one of several, the different colored scapulars carry different promises.

I may add to this blog as well, so I hope you refer back to it often when you have questions - and/or refer others to it.

Scott<<<

Here's another excellent reference:

Brown Scapular
Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Carmelites)
A.D. 1251


"The Brown Scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel," associated with the Carmelite Order, is the most well-known. In A.D. 16 July 1251, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock in Cambridge, England after he prayed for help for his Order. She appeared to him with the scapular and said, "Take, beloved son this scapular of thy order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant."

Whether this happened exactly in this way or not (St. Simon's original descriptions of the vision are not extant and the wording may not be exact), the Scapular was given to St. Simon Stock, and the devotion spread and was well-known by the 16th c. What can be safely believed because of papal decree is the promise known as the "Sabbatine Privilege." The Sabbatine Privilege is the promise that Our Lady will intercede and pray for those in Purgatory who, in earthly life:

* wore the Scapular in good faith;
* were chaste according to their state in life;
* daily recited the Divine Office or, with the permission of one's Confessor, the Little Office of Our Lady [a shorter form of the Divine Office in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, used by certain religious orders and laity. It is similar to the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Roman Breviary] or the Rosary; and
* departed earthly life in charity.

You can be enrolled in the Confraternity of our Lady of Mount Carmel by any priest. Just obtain a scapular, take it to him to have it blessed, and express your desire for enrollment.

Warning: Some falsely believe that wearing the Brown Scapular offers some sort of guarantee of salvation because of the legendary words attributed to Our Lady. This is against Church teaching, is superstitious and a grave error. Sacramentals are not magical ways to manipulate God; they are Church-instituted rituals/objects that remind us of what we are supposed to be doing/thinking of, that depend on the faith, hope and love of the user, and which help prepare us to receive God's saving grace. One must do more than "wear the scapular"; one must wear it worthily.

http://www.fisheaters.com/scapulars.html#brown



Sources
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/brown_scapular.HTM

An Interesting Response from Sister Mary Agatha Blog
http://asksistermarymartha.blogspot.com/2007/03/im-glad-to-have-opportunity-to-explain.html

Catholic Debate Forum (CDF) http://cathapol.blogspot.com/groups.yahoo.com/group/CatholicDebateForum

Fisheaters Site on Brown Scapular http://www.fisheaters.com/scapulars.html#brown

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