Friends in Christ, today is 1st Saturday, and an occasion for us to consider the love of our Mother in heaven.
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St. Fulgentius says,[i] ‘Mary is the bridge over which God passed in order to live with men; therefore, she is also the bridge over which men must pass to reach God.’
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There are important ways by which we remain close to the Blessed Virgin in this life: Praying the Rosary, saying the Angelus, paying visits to her image, aspirations of love – today, let us speak a bit, about wearing Our Lady’s Scapular.
The history of the Scapular was discussed on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, but today let us look at the power of the Scapular.
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During the Spanish Civil war, when Cardinal Taracon was bishop of Solsona, 10 prisoners from the communist army had been captured and were sentenced to death; they asked the bishop and three of his priests to give the usual spiritual help to condemned prisoners. It was about 11 at night, they were to be shot at 6 in the morning.
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8 of the prisoners responded well and went to confession. An avowed communist refused completely. That left one man, about 50 years old, very well educated. This man said, Father, I am grateful for what you people are doing for me, but I’m not interested, and I can assure you that I am not going to Confession.
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The Bishop asked, ‘Would you be able to do me a favor” Whatever you want, he answered, provided that it has nothing to do with confession.
OK: Would you allow me to place a scapular on you. I have no problem with that – these things mean nothing to me.. But if it makes you happy I’ll do it. The bishop, after placing the scapular on him, sat down in a nearby chapel and prayed before a picture of Our Lady.
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He had been there less than five minutes when he heard a person crying loudly, sobbing. ‘I found it alarming, he said. ‘I entered again into his room and I saw the man, and he came to me crying inconsolably, and said to me in the middle of his tears: ‘Father, I want to go to confession; I would like to go to confession.’ I do not deserve this grace from God; Our Lady has saved me.
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The next morning, the Bishop says, ‘As they were being taken out to be shot, the man hugged me and said, ‘In heaven I will pray for you. Thanks again Father. Our Lady has saved me.
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Father Valuy says, ‘Wear the Scapular with faith and respect, by night no less than by day. Never leave it off under any pretext. Press it to your heart with confidence and love.'[ii]
The Scapular is a Pledge of Our Mother.
[i] The Mirror of Priests, p. 119
[ii] The Mirror of Priests, p. 122.
