Rite for the Blessing of and Enrollment in the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
I – PRELIMINARIES
1. The blessing of, and enrollment in, the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel should preferably take place within a community celebration.
2. The enrollment of the Scapular implies affiliation to the Carmelite Family. Priests and deacons have the faculties for blessing Scapulars; other authorized persons may enroll the faithful.
3. The traditional form of the Scapular must be used for the blessing and enrollment. It may then be replaced by the appropriate medal.
4. The blessing of and enrollment in the Scapular takes place according to the rites and prayers hereunder. The usual form includes the opening rite, a reading of the Word of God and the intercessions, the prayer of blessing and the enrollment in the scapular the closing rite. In this manner the meaning of the Scapular in the lives of the faithful who receive it is fully conveyed.
5. It is necessary that in both formulas, the spiritual meaning of the graces attached to the Scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel be expressed, as also the obligations assumed through this sign of devotion to the holy Virgin.
II – RITE FOR THE BLESSING OF AND ENROLLMENT IN THE SCAPULAR
OPENING RITE
6. The officiant welcomes the faithful gathered before the main altar or before a picture of our Lady.
OPENING HYMN
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.
Or:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
R. And also with you.
7. The officiant invites those present to take part in the rite of blessing of and enrollment in the Scapular with the following or other similar words, which explain the nature of this celebration:
When Jesus walked on earth, whoever even touched the hem of his garment became whole. We praise the Lord, because in his Church he continues to use the humblest of means to show us his infinite mercy. We too can use these means to glorify the Lord, to express our desire to serve him and to renew our life-long commitment of fidelity made at our baptism.
This Scapular of our Lady of Mount Carmel is a sign of the motherly love of the Virgin Mary, which reminds us of her care for the members of the Carmelite family, especially in moments of great need. It is a love which invites love in return.
This Scapular is a sign of communion with the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel dedicated to the service of our Lady for the good of the whole Church. With this Scapular you express the desire to take part in the spirit and life of the Order.
The Scapular is a mirror of the humility and purity of Mary: through her simplicity she invites us to live modestly and in purity. By wearing the Scapular day and night, it becomes a sign of our constant prayer and of our special dedication to the love and service of the Virgin Mary.
By wearing the Scapular, you renew your baptismal vow to put on our Lord Jesus Christ. In Mary, your hope of salvation will be safeguarded, because in her the God of Life has made his abode.
THE WORD OF GOD
8. One of those present reads a text from Sacred Scripture. The texts quoted below refer particularly to the mystery of salvation or to devotion to the holy Virgin. One of the following texts may be chosen: a)
From the Old Testament
1. Pr 8: 17-21. I love those who love me.
Those who love me I also love, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than pure gold, and my revenue than choice silver. On the way of duty I walk, along the paths of justice, granting wealth to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
2. Is 61: 1-2, 10. He has clothed me with a mantle of justice.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn. I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
3. 2 K 2: 7-13. The mantle of Elijah fell on Elisha.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed, and when the two stopped at the Jordan, stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water, which divided, and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha answered, "May I receive a double portion of your spirit." "You have asked something that is not easy," he replied. "Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not." As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, "My father! my father! Israel's chariots and drivers!" But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah's mantle which had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
4. Ba 5: 1-5. Clothe yourselves with the beauty of God.
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
5. Ezk 16: 8-14. Your beauty was perfect.
Again I passed by you and saw that you were now old enough for love. So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness; I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you; you became mine, says the Lord God. Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood, and anointed you with oil. I clothed you with an embroidered gown, put sandals of fine leather on your feet; I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver; your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food. You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen. You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord God.
b) From the New Testament
1. Rm 12: 1-2. This is your spiritual worship.
I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
2. Ga 4: 4-7. God sent his Son born of a woman.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, 4 God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
3. Ep 6: 10-17. Take strength from the Lord.
Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
4. Mk 5: 25-34. The woman touched the garment of Jesus and was cured.
5. Lk 2: 4-8. Mary wrapped her Firstborn in swaddling clothes.
9. A short exhortation.
After the reading, the officiant addresses those present briefly to explain, in the light of the Word of God, the meaning of the celebration, the graces and obligations attached to the Scapular.
INTERCESSIONS
10. There follows the prayers of intercession. At this point a few intentions are prayed for. The most suitable prayers may be chosen or other prayers which are more suitable for the occasion may be added. The officiant invites all to pray:
Dear sisters and brothers, we enjoy the patronage of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. In her womb the Word of God put on our mortality by taking on our flesh. Let us pray the Father that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may reflect Jesus, our brother, in our lives, and so let us say: R. Lord, grant that we may be clothed in Jesus Christ.
Holy Father, who clothed your Son with our human flesh in order that we might participate in the divine life,
— grant that, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his perfect disciple, we may be clothed in his divinity.
Holy Father, who wished that your Son may become like us in all things but sin, so that, by the following in his footsteps, we might conform to his image in all things,
— grant that, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may imitate Christ and be pleasing to you in all our works.
Holy Father, who invites us to the banquet of grace, clothed in bridal attire in order to reveal your love for us,
— by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, clothe us with her active charity and her loving service.
Holy Father, who have clothed Mary with the sun, and through her have crushed the head of the serpent,
— by the intercession of the Virgin, grant that we may be able to overcome the snares of the evil one in our life and in the world we live in.
Holy Father, who chose Mary to be the daughter of the New Testament,
— by the intercession of Mary, Virgin of the New Heart, purify our hearts and strengthen our faith.
Holy Father, who have looked upon the lowliness of your Handmaid, and through her lips have proclaimed the strength of your arm,
— by the intercession of Mary, grant that we may be prophets of your Kingdom, that we may proclaim your mercy to every generation.
Holy Father, you gave your Son a mother who wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
— by the intercession of the Virgin Mother, grant that we may love the poor and the marginalized, and that we may be united to them in building a world which is more just and fraternal.
Holy Father, who have wrapped us with the mantle of justice and holiness,
— by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, sanctify us in Christ and make us generous collaborators in the work of the salvation of this world.
Holy Father, who have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ,
— by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, grant that we may happily pass from death to life.
PRAYER OF THE BLESSING
11. The priest or deacon, with arms outstretched, says this prayer of blessing.
O God, author and perfection of holiness,
who call those who were born of water and the Holy Spirit
to the fullness of the Christian life,
look with kindness on those
who are about to receive devoutly the Scapular of Carmel
which they will wear faithfully
as the sign of their commitment to the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
Grant that in surrendering to the love of the most tender Virgin,
they may conform themselves to the image of Jesus Christ your Son,
and having run the course of this life happily,
may they enter into the joy of your house.
Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen
The priest or deacon then sprinkles holy water.
ENROLLMENT IN THE SCAPULAR
12. The officiant then places the Scapular on each faithful who has requested it, and says:
Receive this Scapular.
(Through this Scapular you become a member
of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.)
Full of faith in the love of such a great Mother,
dedicate yourself to imitating her
and to a special relationship with her.
Wear this sign as a reminder of the presence of Mary
in your daily commitment to be clothed in Jesus Christ
and to manifest him in your life
for the good of the Church and the whole of humanity,
and to the glory of the Most Blessed Trinity. R. Amen.
13. If deemed more appropriate, when there are many persons to be enrolled in the Scapular, the officiant may say the form of enrollment once only. Then all together answer Amen and approach the officiant to receive the Scapular.
14. After enrollment, the officiant addresses all in these words:
Having received the Scapular,
you have been received into the family of Carmel,
consecrated in a special way to the imitation and service of the Virgin Mother of God,
that you may live for Christ and his Church
in the contemplative and apostolic spirit of the Order of Carmel.
And that you may be able to follow this ideal perfectly,
by the faculties entrusted to me,
I admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits of the Order of Carmel.
15. After explaining briefly and clearly the commitment and obligations involved in being admitted institutionally to the Carmelite family, the officiant closes the rite with a solemn blessing.
CLOSING RITE
16. The priest or deacon stretches his hands over those present.
May the Father pour on you his merciful love given to us in Christ Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.
R. Amen.
May Jesus Christ grant you to partake of the love of the Father in the motherly warmth of the Virgin of Carmel, that you become doers of every good. R. Amen.
The Holy Spirit has inspired you to place yourselves under the mantle of Mary, may he make you apostles in the way of justice and peace. R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, + and the Son and the Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with your forever. R. Amen.
Or:
May almighty God bless + us,
keep us from all evil
and lead us to eternal life.
R. Amen.
17. The celebration may end with an appropriate hymn to Our Lady, for instance, Flos Carmeli, Salve Regina, Sub tuum praesidium.
Flos Carmeli,
Vitis florigera,
Splendor coeli,
Virgo puerpera.
Singularis.
Mater mitis,
sed viri nescia,
Carmelitis
esto propitia
Stella Maris. (Alleluia.)
Flower of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendor of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee.
Mother so tender,
Who no man didst know,
On Carmel's children
Thy favors bestow.
Star of the Sea. (Alleluia.)
Or:
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus,
Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Nostras deprecationes
ne despicias in necessitatibus,
sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.
We fly to your patronage,
O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
Or:
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. Amen.
Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile show unto us
the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
ALTERNATIVE RITE FOR THE BLESSING OF AND ENROLMENT IN THE SCAPULAR
OPENING RITE
18. The officiant, standing before a picture of Our Lady, faces those who wish to receive the Scapular, inviting them to take part in the celebration worthily.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
R. And also with you.
19. The officiant explains briefly the meaning of the blessing of and enrollment in the Scapular.
THE WORD OF GOD
20. A short reading of the Word of God may be proclaimed, as for instance: a) From the Old Testament
From the Old Testament From the Old Testament
1. Pr 8: 17-21. I love those who love me.
Those who love me I also love, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than pure gold, and my revenue than choice silver. On the way of duty I walk, along the paths of justice, granting wealth to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
2. Is 61: 1-2, 10. He has clothed me with a mantle of justice.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn. I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
3. 2 K 2: 7-13. The mantle of Elijah fell on Elisha.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed, and when the two stopped at the Jordan, stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water, which divided, and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha answered, "May I receive a double portion of your spirit." "You have asked something that is not easy," he replied. "Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not." As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, "My father! my father! Israel's chariots and drivers!" But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah's mantle which had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
4. Ba 5: 1-5. Clothe yourselves with the beauty of God.
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
5. Ezk 16: 8-14. Your beauty was perfect.
Again I passed by you and saw that you were now old enough for love. So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness; I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you; you became mine, says the Lord God. Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood, and anointed you with oil. I clothed you with an embroidered gown, put sandals of fine leather on your feet; I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver; your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food. You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen. You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord God.
b) From the New Testament
1. Rm 12: 1-2. This is your spiritual worship.
I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
2. Ga 4: 4-7. God sent his Son born of a woman.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, 4 God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
3. Ep 6: 10-17. Take strength from the Lord.
Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
4. Mk 5: 25-34. The woman touched the garment of Jesus and was cured.
5. Lk 2: 4-8. Mary wrapped her Firstborn in swaddling clothes.
INTERCESSIONS
21.
Let us pray to God our Father, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may be clothed in Christ by the grace of the Holy Spirit:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may live their baptismal vow to be clothed in Christ:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may be living members of the family of Carmel by their prayers, sacrifices and good works:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may be an extension of the love which Jesus had for his Mother:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may clothe themselves with the virtues of the most pure Virgin, listen to the Word of God and live it daily:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular, by the intercession of Mary, may be enlightened in contemplation, joyous in fraternity and zealous in the service of others:
Lord, hear us.
That those who wear the Scapular may lead their lives in such a way that they will always be ready to enter into the assembly of the saints, wearing bridal clothes, with Mary most holy:
Lord, hear us.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
22. The priest or deacon with outstretched hands prays thus:
Holy Father,
you have wished that your only Begotten Son Jesus Christ,
should take our human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary
by the working of the Holy Spirit;
grant to this son (daughter) of yours
who is about to wear devoutly the Scapular
of the family of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
the grace of being clothed in Jesus the Lord
in all the circumstances of this life
and thus to attain eternal glory.
Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
The priest or deacon sprinkles holy water.
ENROLLMENT IN THE SCAPULAR
23. The officiant places the Scapular saying:
Receive this Scapular
by which you enter the family of the Brothers
of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel;
wear it as a sign of the motherly protection of the Virgin
and of your pledge to imitate and serve her.
May the Mother of God help you to be clothed in Christ.
May he abide in you to the glory of the Trinity
and to dedicate yourself to the Church
for the good of your brothers and sisters. R. Amen.
24. The officiant announces the affiliation to the Carmelite family in the following or similar words:
By the faculties invested in me,
I admit you to participate
in all the spiritual benefits of the Order of Carmel.
CLOSING RITE
25. The priest or deacon uses the short form of blessing:
May the blessing of almighty God,
Father, + Son and Holy Spirit
descend upon you
and remain with you forever.
R. Amen.
Or:
May the Lord bless + us,
keep us from every evil
and lead to eternal life.
R. Amen.
26. And thus ends the rite.