← [[session-09-asp|Apostolate — Charism of Prayer]] | [[aspirancy-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[session-11-asp|Ecclesial Charism of Our Vocation]] → # Discalced Carmelite Understanding of Devotion to Mary and of the Scapular Required reading: Constitutions, art. 29-31a; Carmelite Spirituality in the Teresian Tradition: Brothers and Sisters of our Lady, pgs. 28-32 Additional Reading: The Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: Catechesis and Ritual; Meditation 169 of Divine Intimacy (Appendix F); St Therese’ poem Why I Love You, O Mary! (Appendix G) Essential Points to discuss: • Throughout the centuries, the Church has turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and many forms of piety toward the Mother of God were developed. • In our Order, Mary is our model of interior prayer and discipleship. “The particular aspect of the Blessed Virgin Mary that must be present in any person called to Carmel is that of an inclination to ‘meditate in the heart.’ This interest in learning to meditate or inclination to meditation is a fundamental characteristic of any OCDS” (Welcome, pg. 11). • Discuss the scapular as the OCDS habit. Constitutions 36 b): “After the initial period of contact [by this is meant the year of Aspirancy], the council of the community may admit the applicant to a more serious period of formation that usually lasts for two years leading up to the first promises. At the beginning of this period of formation, the [large ceremonial] scapular is given to the applicant. This is an outward symbol of membership in the Order, and the sign that Mary is both Mother and Model on this journey.” • The friars and nuns wear the full-length scapular as part of their religious habit; the Seculars wear the small scapular as their habit. The larger ceremonial scapular is reserved for use at Carmelite functions. 15 --- **Source:** [[maps/bibliography#^biblio-ocds-asp|OCDS Aspirancy Handbook]]