Your obligations once you are invested with the Brown Scapular

The Brown Scapular, like any other scapular, is not just a devotional or a sacramental, but it is an identifying garb used by orders of monks and nuns to uniquely identify them from other religious orders.

That is why the Carmelite Family is identified with the Brown Scapular.

So the laity, who wears the Brown Scapular, either as a tertiary Carmelite or not, has a responsibility to do.

I wrote this back in Jul;y 17, 2009:

There is a decree issued by Pope Paul V in 1613 stating the importance of wearing this scapular:  "It is permitted to preach that the Blessed Virgin will help by her continued assistance and her merits, particularly on Saturdays, the souls of the members of the Scapular Confraternity who have died in the grace of God, if in life they had worn the scapular, observed chastity according with their state of life, and recited the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

The imposition is done with a scapular of wool. Afterwards, a scapular medal could be worn. The requirements of this devotion are:

To receive the imposition of the scapular and to wear it habitually. To guard one's chastity. To pray daily the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. It could be substituted by praying three Hail Marys; or seven Our Fathers with Hail Mary and Glory Be; or the Divine Office.

The Confraternity of the Brown Scapular lists the following:

The members of the Confraternity must at all times devoutly wear the Scapular (or the medal), as a visible sign of their belonging to Mary in the brotherhood of Carmel. But above all the members are bound to set aside regular time to be with God in prayer, frequent participation in the Eucharist and the sacrament of Confession, daily recitation of one of the Hours of the Liturgy or of some Psalms or the rosary.

You can also read from the blog how you can become a member of the Confraternity.

Members of the Apostleship of Prayer, kiss the Brown Scapular they are wearing (yes, they too must wear it) when during their daily morning habit of praying the Morning Offering, the mention of the words "O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers..."

This is in fact one of the obligations a member of the Apostleship of Prayer must fulfill....daily!

You just not wear this scapular and do nothing.  You just don't wear this scapular so you can walk around the church during a Traditional Latin Mass, or a religious procession, wearing this and do nothing afterwards!

You think you just wear the Blessed Scapular and.........uhm, do nothing?

Pray and live chastely according to your state of life.

You may also want to read the reasons WHY YOU MUST WEAR the Brown Scapular by clicking here and here.