Month of the Holy Rosary

By ELEANORE JONES

October is the month of the Holy Rosary. The rosary is one of the most powerful weapons the Church possesses. We are constantly exhorted by saints, popes, and Our Lord and Our Lady themselves to pray this simple yet profound prayer. Accordingly, Mother Church has set aside a whole month to the promotion of this prayer.

This is information on Our Lady of Mount Carmel Brown Scapular that Our Lady gave to St. Simon Stock. The word ‘scapular’ is a Latin word meaning shoulder blade. You are to wear it over the shoulder so that one-part hangs over your chest and the other side hangs over the back. There are three conditions which are that it be 100% wool in a rectangular shape, to be enrolled in the Scapular by a priest and to wear it continuously and observe chastity according to one’s state in life (married/single). It does not automatically get you to heaven. All should wear it even in surgery (Pope St. John Paul II did) and sleep with it on. Non-Catholics may wear the scapular and they will receive many graces and blessings with this special sign of devotion to the mother of God. The blessing by a priest at the time of investiture carries over to a new scapular. A partial indulgence is merited every time you kiss the Scapular. The Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel has promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell; she will

shorten their stay in purgatory if they should pass from this world still owing some debt of punishment. “Whoever dies clothed in this habit shall not suffer the fires of hell.” The Brown Scapular is not a good luck charm, but it is a sacramental and is a symbol of devotion and yoke of obedience to Our Lady of Mount Carmel whose feast day is July 16. To dispose of a scapular, it should be burned, and the ashes buried.

“Fasting and a Daily Rosary: The Greatest Weapons Against Satan” is the theme for the W-RDCCW Convention at Queen of Angels in Austin on Octoer 7. Hope to see you there!

Eleanore Jones is the president of the Winona-Rochester Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.