“The sign of the Scapular nourishes the devotion of believers and makes them sensitive to the Virgin Mother's loving presence in their lives. The Scapular is essentially a 'habit'. Those who receive it are associated with the Order of Carmel and dedicate themselves to the service of Our Lady for the good of the whole Church.

“Therefore two truths are evoked by the sign of the Scapular:

- the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin, not only on life's journey but also at the moment of passing into the fullness of eternal glory

- the awareness that devotion to Mary cannot be limited to prayers and tributes in her honor on certain occasions, but must become a 'habit', that is, a permanent orientation of one's own Christian conduct, woven of prayer and interior life, through frequent reception of the sacraments and the concrete practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.”

(from the message of John Paul II
to the Carmelite Family
on the 750th anniversary
of the bestowal of the Scapular)

It is an external sign of love for Mary, of the trust her children have in her,
and of the commitment to live like her.

Jesus is the great sign
and gift of the Father's love.
He founded the Church
as a sign and instrument of his love.

The Brown Scapular
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
is a SIGN which

- has been approved by the Church for over seven centuries
- stands for the decision to follow Jesus like Mary:
- open to god and to his will,
- guided by faith, hope and love,
- close to the needs of people,
- praying at all times,
- discovering God present in all that happens around us
- introduces people into the family of Carmel
- points to a renewed hope of encountering God in eternal life with the help of Mary's protection and intercession