 Devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The
following of Christ and of Mary, as understood and lived according to
the charism of the Order, is the ideal of the faithful in the Carmelite
Family. They can rely on the help and support of all the brothers and
sisters who share in the same ideal. The members of the Carmelite Family
live their commitment in various ways: in solitude, in community, in the
apostolic life, on the streets of the world, working with Mary for the
Kingdom of Christ.
The different groups set up and recognised by the Order, help to emphasise
the communal character of the Carmelite Family. Those who, led by the
Spirit, want to dedicate their whole life in this world - in union with
Mary - to the glory of God form part of these groups. Thus, becoming part
of the fraternity of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary
of Mount Carmel and receiving the Scapular as a sign of such membership,
has certain consequences:
- To
live as "brothers" or "sisters" of Mary in communion with the whole
Carmelite Family, to enter more deeply into its spirit, to live its
ideals and its tradition, praying and co-operating with it in order
that, faithful to its charism and their vocation, they may reflect,
in the world, Mary who brings Jesus to the world.
- To
give to Mary space in their life and to seek to live fidelity to Christ
following the example of Mary:
- in faith which looks to God and enters into dialogue with the Mystery;
- in hope which transforms itself into being at the service of God;
- in charity which abandons itself to the will of the Lord in order
to serve others especially those who are considered the least.
- To
imitate the "praying Virgin" who "kept the word of God in her heart"
(cf Lk 2,19.51), setting aside some time to meet God in prayer, meditating
on the mysteries of salvation, taking part with faith in the liturgy
of the Church, especially the Eucharist, reciting every day some liturgical
Hour or some Psalms or the holy Rosary. To live in the presence of
the living God, making every aspect of life a prayer, at the same
time remembering the obligations of their state in life.
- To
share in the Pascal mystery of Christ by means of voluntary penance,
lived in the spirit of Carmel, looking to Mary, whose soul was pierced
by a sword (cf Lk 2,35), who "sustained her union with her Son faithfully
even to the cross, where she stood (cf Jn 19,25) suffering deeply
with her First born and uniting herself with her motherly heart to
his sacrifice" (Lumen Gentium).
- To
show the love of God. The "Most Pure Virgin" allowed the love of God
to shine through all her being without any resistance. This is a love
which opens her to the whole of humanity. Thus, she attracts those
who keep their heart and senses, their body and soul, open to the
love of God, whom they seek and desire in all things and above all
things. The faithful open themselves to receive the gift of holiness
from God through human relationships and in the love of neighbour.
This love sees the human body as the "dwelling place" of God (cf 1
Cor 3,16; 16,17), and as the vehicle of love and communication.
- To
engage in the works of Evangelisation. Those who wear the Scapular
identify themselves with the mission of Carmel to be a prophetic sign
of union with God in the world, to work for the coming of the Kingdom
of God through sharing, reconciliation, justice, looking after the
sick, listening to the cries of the poor.
- As
much as possible, to foster fraternal communion among the members
of the fraternity by means of assemblies and meetings which nourish
and support these aims.
The Scapular
is the sign of the love of Mary, icon of the goodness and mercy of the
Most Blessed Trinity. This commitment is in answer to the love of God,
and is a fruit of the spiritual riches which God pours into the hearts
of the faithful.
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