Symbol of the wedding dress




The scapular is also an image of the wedding garment, the divine grace, which must always clothe the soul.


Pope John Paul II, speaking to young people in a Roman parish dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, recalled in confidence the special help and protection he received from his devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. "I must tell you that in my youth, when I was like you, she helped me. I could not say to what extent, but I believe that to an immense extent. She helped me to find the grace proper to my age, to my vocation". And he added: Our Lady's mission, which is prefigured and "begins on Mount Carmel, in the Holy Land, is linked to a garment. This garment is called the holy scapular. I owe much, in my young years, to this, her Carmelite scapular. That the mother is always solicitous, takes care of the clothes of her children, that they are well dressed, is a beautiful thing". But when these clothes are torn, "the mother tries to repair the clothes of her children". "Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mother of the holy scapular, speaks to us of this maternal care, of this concern of hers to clothe us. To clothe us in a spiritual sense. To clothe us with God's grace, and to help us to always keep this garment white." The Pope mentioned the white garment worn by the catechumens of the first centuries, a symbol of the sanctifying grace they received at Baptism. And after exhorting them to always keep their souls clean, he concluded: "You too must be diligent in collaborating with the good Mother, who cares for your garments, and especially for the garment of grace, which sanctifies the souls of her sons and daughters ". That garment with which one day we will present ourselves at the wedding feast.


The scapular of Carmel can be a great help to love Our Heavenly Mother more, a special reminder that we are dedicated to her and that in a moment of trouble, in the midst of temptation, we can count on her help. Having her so close to us will enable us to be strong. In the words of the Gradual for today's feast, we ask Our Lady: Recordare Virgo Mater... ut loquaris pro nobis bona. "Remember, Virgin Mother of God, when you are in the presence of the Lord, to tell him good things about us "; also on those days when we have not been as faithful as God expects of his children.