Over 100 years ago on July 13th, 1917, Our Lady made one of her appearances to the three children at Fatima.  During those series of apparitions, she repeatedly asked for the devote praying of the daily rosary, for sacrifices and acts of reparation, and for devotion to her Immaculate Heart to be established.   

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Over 700 years ago on July 16th, 1251 Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave him a very important sacramental, the Brown Scapular, and a tremendous promise to go with it.  She told him, “Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”  Why would she make such a big promise?  Why does wearing two pieces of wool on your front and back connected by a string or cord over your shoulders matter?   

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It’s not the object itself that matters, but, as with any sacramental, it’s how that physical object can help increase our devotion and inspire us in the spiritual life.  Our Blessed Mother explained it more when she said, “Wear the Scapular devoutly and perseveringly. It is My garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of Me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life.”  So, wearing the scapular is a physical reminder of our dedication to her.  It reminds us of her love for us, which assures us that we can trust her and love her in return. 

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One of the most profitable keys of devotion throughout the centuries and one specifically asked for by Our Lady of Fatima, is consecration to her Immaculate Heart.  At the end of her October apparition in Fatima, Mary highlighted the connection between Fatima and the Scapular when she appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Sr. Lucia, one of the Fatima seers, later affirmed, “the scapular and the Rosary are inseparable.  The scapular is a sign of consecration to Our Lady.”   

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By giving ourselves totally to Our Blessed Mother through consecration to her, we are truly giving ourselves totally to Jesus, since Mary’s only desire is to bring us to Him.  The scapular is not only a physical sign of consecration to Mary, it is also a physical reminder to live out our consecration.  Since Mary, like God, is never outdone in generosity, she has given another promise to those who wear the Brown Scapular.  It is called the Sabbatine Privilege. 

Mary appeared to Pope John XXII and, speaking of those who wear the Brown Scapular, said, “I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in purgatory I shall free so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting.”  Here again she shows her generosity toward those devoted to her as well as how she always brings them to Jesus.   

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To obtain this privilege the Blessed Mother assigned certain conditions which must be fulfilled: 
1.Wear the Brown Scapular continuously. 
2.Observe chastity according to one’s state in life (married/single). 
3.Recite daily the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, or observe the fasts of the Church together with abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or say five decades of Our Lady’s Most Holy Rosary, or with permission of a priest, substitute some other good work. 

At Fatima Our Lady revealed God’s plan for the salvation of souls and peace in the world - the daily rosary, sacrifice and reparation, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart.  Wearing the Scapular is a great physical reminder of our consecration to Jesus through Mary as well as a reminder of Mary’s requests at Fatima.  May wearing the Brown Scapular always remind you that you are enfolded in the loving arms of Our Heavenly Mother.