To the most venerable fathers
Joseph Chalmers, General Prior of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.Carm.)
and Kamil Maccise, General Superior of the Order of Discalced Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.C.D.)
1. Gracious event of providence, of which the jubilee year was a part for the Church, leads us to look with confidence and hope towards the newly begun journey in the new millennium. “At the beginning of this new century – I wrote in the Apostolic Letter Novo millennio ineunte – our steps along the paths of the world must accelerate1 on this journey, the Most Holy Virgin accompanies us, to whom I have entrusted the third millennium” (no. 58).
I was therefore delighted to learn that the Carmelite Order in both its branches, original and reformed, wants to express a filial love towards its patroness, whom it invokes as the Flower of Carmel and Mother and Guide on the path of holiness, by dedicating the year 2001 to her. I cannot help but emphasize the happy coincidence: according to what the venerable order tradition tells, the celebration takes place on the 750th anniversary of the handing down of the scapular. It is thus a celebration that gives the entire Carmelite family an excellent opportunity not only to deepen its Marian spirituality but also to live it increasingly with regard to the place the Virgin, Mother of God and mother of humanity, occupies in the mystery of Christ and the Church, and thus an opportunity to follow her who is the “star of the new evangelization”2.
2. All Carmelite generations, from the beginnings to the present, have sought to shape their lives according to the example of Mary on their journey to “the holy mountain, Jesus Christ, our Lord,”3.
Therefore, in Carmel and in every heart led by tender love for the Most Holy Virgin and Mother, the contemplation4 of the one who from the very beginning was able to be open to listening to God's word and obedient to God's will (Lk 2:19.51) grows. For Mary, educated and shaped by the Spirit (cf. Lk 2:44–50), was able to read her own life in faith (cf. Lk 1:46-55) and obedient to God's guidance “walked the path of faith and maintained her connection with her Son faithfully even to the Cross. There she stood not without God's plan (cf. John 19:25), suffering deeply alongside her only Son, she joined his sacrifice with her maternal soul.”5
3. In contemplation, we look at the Virgin Mary as a caring Mother who sees her Son grow up in Nazareth (cf. Lk 2:40.52), follows him along the roads of Palestine, participates with him in the wedding at Cana (cf. John 2:5) and at the foot of the cross becomes the Mother who shares in his sacrifice and is given to all people when Jesus himself entrusts her to his beloved disciple (cf. John 19:26). As Mother of the Church, the Holy Virgin is united with the disciples in “constant prayer” (Acts 1:14), and as the new Woman, who anticipates what will happen one day to all of us in the full experience of the trinitarian life, she is taken up into heaven, from where she spreads over her sons journeying to the holy mountain of glory the protective cloak of her mercy.
Such an attitude of contemplation of mind and heart leads us to admire the experience of the living faith and love of the Virgin Mary, which every believer longs for and hopes to realize in the mystery of Christ and the Church.6 Therefore, Carmelite men and women have rightly chosen Mary as their patroness and spiritual mother, and always keep her, the Most Pure Virgin, who leads all to perfect knowledge and following of Christ, before the eyes of their hearts.
In this way, a close spiritual relationship grows, which increasingly enhances communion with Christ and Mary. For the members of the Carmelite family, Mary, the Virgin, Mother of God and mother of mankind, is not only a model to be followed but also a loving presence of a Mother and Sister, in whom they can trust. Saint Teresa of Jesus therefore rightly urges: “Imitate Mary, consider how great this Lady must be and how good it is that she is our protector.”7
4. This living Marian devotion, which manifests itself in intimate prayer, enthusiastic praise, and consistent following, leads to the understanding that the purest form of devotion to the Most Holy Virgin, expressed through the simple sign of the scapular, is to consecrate oneself to her Immaculate Heart.8 In this way, a growing community and intimate friendship with the Holy Virgin is realized in the heart, “as a new way of life for God, by which here on earth the love of the Son Jesus for his Mother Mary continues.”9 In this way, according to the words of the blessed Carmelite martyr Tito Brandsma, we deeply unite ourselves with Mary the Mother of God (Theotokos), becoming like her those who convey God's life: “God also sends us his angel… we too must welcome God into our hearts, carry him in our hearts, nurture him and let him grow in us so that he may be born from us and live with us as Emmanuel, God with us.”10
Over time, through the devotion of the scapular, this rich Marian heritage of Carmel has become a treasure of the entire Church. Because of its simplicity, its deep human value, and its relation to Mary's role in the Church and in humanity, this devotion has garnered wide and deep acceptance among God's people, finding expression in the celebration of the feast on July 16, which is included in the liturgical calendar of the universal Church.
5. In the sign of the scapular, we can see the perfect summary of Marian spirituality that nourishes the devotion of the faithful and gives them sensitivity to the loving presence of the Holy Virgin in their lives. The scapular is, by its nature, a “garment” (lat. habitus). Whoever receives it attaches or connects themselves more closely or loosely to the Carmelite order, is consecrated to serve the Virgin Mary for the good of the entire Church.11 Those who wear the scapular are therefore brought into the land of Carmel, to “eat its fruits and what is good from it” (cf. Jer 2:7) and to experience the sweet maternal presence of Mary, while striving each day to dress inwardly in Jesus Christ and show him to the world as the one who lives in us for the good of the Church and all humanity.12
The scapular thus reminds us of two truths: on one hand, the constant protection of the Most Holy Virgin, not only during our earthly journey but also at the moment of transition to the fullness of eternal glory; on the other hand, the awareness that devotion to her cannot be limited to prayers and mere outward expressions of reverence on certain occasions, but must become a “habitus” (permanent attitude, constant orientation) of our Christian action linked with prayer and inner life through frequent reception of the sacraments and concrete acts of spiritual and corporal mercy. Thus, the scapular becomes a sign of “covenant” and an expression of mutual communion between Mary and the faithful: through the scapular, a concrete act of entrustment is realized, in which Jesus on the cross gave Mary to John – and in him to us all – and entrusted the beloved apostle and all of us to her, thus making her our spiritual Mother.
6. An outstanding example of this Marian spirituality, which internally transforms a person and conforms them to Christ, the firstborn among brothers, is the testimony of holiness and wisdom of many Carmelite saints and saints who have grown under the shadow and protection of this Mother.
I too have long carried the Carmelite scapular on my heart! Out of the love I bear for this our common heavenly Mother, whose protection I experience constantly, I wish for this Marian year to help all Carmelite religious and religious women and devout believers who have a filial respect for her, to grow in love for Mary and radiate into the world the presence of this Woman of silence and prayer, called the Mother of mercy, the Mother of hope and grace.
With this wish, I gladly impart my apostolic blessing to all brothers and sisters, contemplative and active, as well as to all laypeople – men and women – of the whole Carmelite family, who work diligently among God's people to spread true devotion to Mary, Star of the Sea and Flower of Carmel!
In Vatican City, March 25, 2001, John Paul II.
Translated from the Italian original by P. Josef Jančář, O.Carm.
Here you can view the original text:
Letter from John Paul II to the Carmelite Family
on the occasion of the 750th Anniversary of the Scapular of Carmel
