The Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a devotional article worn by Catholics. Back in the day Catholic schoolchildren were enrolled in the Confraternity (i.e. fraternal organization) of the scapular when they attended Catholic schools or otherwise done so in their parish.
Further detailed information on the scapular can be found at this site of the
Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel .
Why am I writing about this? One of the promises of Our Lady is that they who die wearing the scapular will not suffer eternal damnation. This sort of thing can get certain types in an uproar, as it can seem to some to be a license to sin (because I won’t go to Hell anyway, so why not?) It may also be likened to the Protestant and Evangelical heresy of “once saved, always saved.”
But I think not. If you wear your scapular, it is rather conspicuous. Not like the crosses that people wear, seemingly mostly for decoration rather than conviction. To wear the scapular is more a public witness. It is cloth. It peeks out from the shirt your wearing. Not a lot of people wear it. It isn’t fashionable. It hangs down the front as well as the back. It is sometimes annoying and inconvenient. It is also distinctly Catholic, assuming you’ve ever seen one being worn.
As a result of all these points, to wear the scapular is a conscious effort, as distinct from wearing the cross (kind of sad, actually. More of a commentary on the devaluation of the cross’ meaning.) Anyone wears the cross, so few wear the scapular.
So, instead of being a guarantee of instant Heaven after death, it is a guarantee that you will not go to Hell. So, what’s the difference? Purgatory is the difference. It is a visible reminder to the wearer that they are still accountable for their sins, and will still suffer for them.
Not a bad idea, a constant reminder of your mortality and the resulting effects of the decisions of one’s life.
“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return,” the priest says this or something close when he spreads ashes on your forehead on Ash Wednesday.
So, you might not go to Hell, but you might spend much time in Purgatory. Makes you want to start your Purgatory now, rather than later. At least now you can merit from accepting the suffering that enters your life, and possibly start amending it.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
Catholics in Recovery member Chris L (aka “kjunlandr”) has started a new website for those struggling with lust called: Courage to be Chaste.
It so far consists of a discussion forum where members can discretely share their daily struggles with sex addiction, lust and pornography. Catholics in Recovery has a discussion forum for this, but as a general site for Catholics struggling with addiction, it cannot meet the specific needs of this particular community.
I like to think that Courage to be Chaste and Catholics in Recovery will complement each other. Catholic addicts can join both if they struggle with lust and something else, and participate in whichever community best serves their particular need.
Chris has plans to further develop Courage to be Chaste, so it is a work in progress. Pray for its success.
Join up if you need support in dealing with these issues. We are all in this together.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
Today is the Feast of St. Benedict, and as a part of the celebration I shall introduce to readers a devotional object, known as The Medal of St. Benedict .
(Via EWTN.)
Please check out the link to the EWTN article in the previous paragraph for much useful info on the wearing and history of the medal.
I find it interesting that this medal would be of great use to alcoholics and addicts, you will know what I mean when you read the prayers associated with it. (especially the lines: The cup you offer is evil; drink the poison yourself!)
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
Today is the Feast Day of St. Benedict, one of the more important and influential saints of the Catholic Church, and also one of the individuals who helped form and shape Western civilization.
Who was St. Benedict? The Online Guide to St. Benedict has an excellent biography of him, as well as a lot of useful resources on his life.
He was born about the year 480, and died around 547.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
Last year at about this time I wrote a series of posts on the Ladder of Humility of St. Benedict.
I remind you of this as his Feast Day is coming up on July 11 and if you click on the link in the previous sentence it will take you to all 13 posts in the series. You’ll have to scroll down and read your way up as that is how Blogger organizes posts (most recent one at the top).
I think they were very good, even a Benedictine abbot from England was appreciative.
They make nice meditative readings, if you ask me. 🙂
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
A recent reading from the Psalms caught my attention as a useful prayer for one undergoing adversity, especially with the threat of a relapse:
Psalm 118:5-9: “In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me?
The LORD is with me as my helper; I shall look in triumph on my foes.
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in mortals.
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in princes.”
(Via USCCB.)
The danger of a relapse is ever present if you rely on yourself alone. With God’s aid you can remain free from your addiction. With the strength of God behind you, how can danger triumph? What can mortals (people) that plot against you do to you? How can your foes (places and things) succeed in tearing you down?
To trust in another to help you maintain your sobriety is folly. Just ask all those who relapsed despite 12 Step meeting attendance and the use of a sponsor. God alone is fully trustworthy.
Jesus, I trust in You.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
The following passage from Psalm 57 is a nice prayer for anyone in serious temptation from their addiction:
Psalm 57:2: “Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me. In you I seek shelter. In the shadow of your wings I seek shelter till harm pass by.”
(Via USCCB.)
God’s mercy is limitless, providing we ask for it in trust and faith. God provides if He is asked. He is our safe and sturdy shelter from the harm that threatens and is just one drink away.
A drink provides a temporary respite from the troubles that abound in our lives. God’s promise of care and protection from all harm is trustworthy based on the strength of our faith and our willingness to place ourselves in it.
It endures. The drink is temporary and illusory.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
There is an excellent article today from Spirit Daily on repentance and not dwelling on the past once you’ve gotten past it.
(Via Spirit Daily.)
Try reading it, you’ll find it useful if you’re a frequent user of Confession and still dwell on your past sins.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
Two readings from today’s Liturgy of the Hours (click on the “Universalis” banner at the top of the page) make excellent prayers for people still hunted by their addictions.
Psalm 141:8-9: “My eyes are upon you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I take refuge; do not strip me of life.
Guard me from the trap they have set for me, from the snares of evildoers.”
and
Psalm 142:6-8: “I cry out to you, LORD, I say, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
Listen to my cry for help, for I am brought very low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.
Lead me out of my prison, that I may give thanks to your name. Then the just shall gather around me because you have been good to me.”
(Via USCCB.)
Addiction is the prison one is trapped in, evildoers (“people, places and things”) seek to continually ensnare the struggling alcoholic and addict.
The Lord will rescue you from these types. No matter how beaten down you are by the threat of a relapse and the immediate temptation to drink, God will give you the strength to prevail if you ask Him in trust and with faith.
I have a new book!
"The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on
"Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and
and others!"!
My two other books are still available!
"The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
