Quote:
Originally Posted by Hack&Lube
All this discussion about Catholicism interests me especially now as my grandmother is dying in the hospital and I noticed the other day she put a Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel around her neck.
Basically this is a piece of cloth on a string that says that if you wear it, you will not suffer eternal fire.
So it's a like a coupon or get out of jail free card? How does wearing this cloth guarantee you will not suffer from eternal fire?
http://www.philomena.org/scapular.asp |
Its not quite that simple
With regard to the scapular as a conventional and sacred sign, the Church has intervened at various times in history to clarify its meaning, defend it, and confirm the privileges. From these Church documents there emerges with sufficient clarity the nature and meaning of the Carmelite scapular. 1. The scapular is a Marian habit or garment.
[35] It is both a sign and pledge. A sign of belonging to Mary; a pledge of her motherly protection, not only in this life but after death. 2. As a sign, it is a conventional sign signifying three elements strictly joined: first, belonging to a religious family particularly devoted to Mary, especially dear to Mary, the Carmelite Order; second, consecration to Mary, devotion to and trust in her Immaculate Heart;
[36] third an incitement to become like Mary by imitating her virtues, above all her humility, chastity, and spirit of prayer. This is the Church's officially established connection between the sign and that which is signified by the sign. No mention is made of the vision of St. Simon Stock or of that of Pope John XXII in relation to the Sabbatine privilege, which promises that one will be released from Purgatory on the first Saturday after death.
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