Thursday, July 16, 2009

Got Stock? (As in St. SIMON?!?)

Hahaha....

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and the Feast of the Scapular of Mt. Carmel. On this day in 1251, our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Simon Stock and presented him with the scapular and promises special favors and protection to those who wear the scapular.

I've had to fight to wear mine each time I've had a baby or any other sort of minor surgery - the best was my knee arthroscopy about 4 years ago. My good Irish Catholic orthopaedic surgeon, who is a quiet, sweet and soft-spoken man, told the OR nurse to back off when she got testy with me for refusing to remove it (in case of emergency breathing issues under anaesthesia, they want a clear shot at your throat). He then very reverently removed it and wrapped it around my wrist, lacing it through my fingers so that it rested in my palm, and crossed my forehead. As usual, I got a little verkelmpt. But for the first time since they rolled me into the OR, I felt completely relaxed, at peace, and ready to go under.

The (very Americanized)young Indian anaesthesiologist was intrigued by all of this, and asked me what "it" was, and what it meant. I told him the deal and he said "That's really beautiful! I've never heard of that and I've never seen one of those before Cool!" and then to his colleague, "Man, I never knew you were such a religious guy, that's great!"

So wear your scapular - don't be shy - there's so much to be gained for your own soul, and for Team Rome! Here's mine:
It's the Cross of the Crusaders....quite fitting, when one lives in the DOR, really. :)

The Princess wears Our Lady of Lourdes/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Beloved carries - but does not wear - his Confirmation name saint, St. Jude (a natural choice, given who his bride is...) and our Little Therese has the Holy Face, which was blessed at the EWTN 25th Anniversary celebration in Birmingham by the late Alfonso Cardinal Lopez-Trujillo, who led the Pontifical Council for the Family. She ran up to him as he crossed the street and asked him to bless it, he bent down, took it in his hand, blessed her and beamed at her and said "it is so beeeaauuutiful! And so are you, precious little one!" Again, I was verklempt.

So....that's ours. What does yours look like? And if you don't have one, why not? Spend the $5 for this wonderful devotional - keep it tucked in close, and if you're asked, hey - you might just reach into a heart or two.

4 comments:

Jane Lebak said...

After years of wearing the paper-and-felt ones, I finally got a real cloth one. I've worn it for about 2.5 years now, and if I ever feel under spiritual attack, I reach for it under my shirt and the attack eases.

I accidentally took it off with my pajama shirt last week and it got washed. I hope the blessings didn't get washed away! **LOL!**

gemoftheocean said...

I have one I got for my 1st Communion. St Simon/Our Lady. cloth, but protected by plastic. I figured out years ago it sticks to the skin and gets icky. And wool cloth here is too hot!!

I went to Mass this morning (EF) and the collect, etc. for this was really nice.

I should do a post about it.

Kasia said...

No scapular as of yet...but I wear a Miraculous Medal on the same jump ring as my crucifix...the medal was a gift from my sister's former boss, who got it at Mother Teresa's beatification. :-)

Larry Denninger said...

I've got mine on right now - same size as yours but with the Miraculous Medal "M" on it. I've gone through about 4 since I was enrolled 6 years ago.

Having it on reminds me of how many times I mess up.