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The Scapular Confraternity of Carmel is an association of the faithful who strive for the perfection of charity in the world in the spirit of the Carmelite Order. Through their free commitment, they participate in the life of the Order and its spiritual benefits in an intimate communion of thought, ideals and works, together with Mary.

Setting up: The competent authority for the canonical erection of a Confraternity is the Superior General of the Carmelite Order. For churches belonging to the Order, the consent given by the bishop for the setting up of the religious house is also valid for the setting up of the Confraternity. However, for the erection of the Confraternity in other churches or places, the written consent of the bishop is required.

Reception into the Confraternity of the Scapular of Carmel is the prerogative of an authorised person who acts in the name of the Order. The reception takes place according to the proper rite approved by the Holy See, by means of enrolment in the Scapular. The Scapular consists of two brown or dark pieces of material, joined together by two ribbons. For receptions, the name of the faithful and the date must be registered in a book kept for the purpose. On this occasion, a certificate with the name of the Confraternity or of the Church to which the person enrolled belongs may be given. These conditions, however, may be waived.

After the reception of the Scapular, the faithful may, for personal reasons, substitute it with a medal showing on one side the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the other Our Lady. Both Scapular and medal may be replaced without having to be blessed again. The members of the Confraternity must at all times devoutly wear the Scapular (or the medal), as a visible sign of their belonging to Mary in the brotherhood of Carmel. But above all the members are bound to set aside regularly time to be with God in prayer, frequent participation in the Eucharist, daily recitation of one of the Hours of the Liturgy or of some Psalms or the rosary or other equivalent prayers. New members may gain plenary indulgences on the day they join the Confraternity and on the following feasts: Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (16 July), St. Elias, prophet (20 July), St. Simon Stock (16 May), St. Therese of the Child Jesus (1 October), St. Teresa of Jesus (15 October), all the Carmelite Saints (14 November), and St. John of the Cross (14 December), provided they fulfil the usual conditions: going to confession and communion, saying a prayer for the intentions of the Pope and renewing the promise to observe the commitments to the Confraternity.

The solemn feast of the Confraternity is that of the Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (16 July). Members will celebrate this feast with great devotion and gratitude towards Mary, renewing their commitment of service to her, fidelity to Jesus Christ and the Church, and commending the whole Carmelite Family to the maternal heart of the Virgin.

If possible, the members will meet periodically to build up the sense of fraternity, to study Carmelite spirituality, to care for brothers and sisters in need, all in union with Mary.