In Abbeville, France, the celebration of Our Lady of Emminont: the shrine is known for many miracles and pilgrimages, although it is hard to ascertain the origins of the devotion. On the commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed, some people also recall Mary in her scapular promise, and hence remember in a special way Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this excellent devotion, the “scapular (scapula, Latin for shoulder) consists of two small pieces of cloth connected by strings and worn over the shoulders as a symbol of protection of and devotion to the Blessed Virgin.” It traces its origins back to an apparition of Mary to Saint Simon Stock (~1165-1265). Handing him the scapular, she told him: “This will be for you and for all Carmelites the privilege, that he who dies in this will not suffer eternal fire.” In other words, Our Lady’s scapular promise is that those “who faithfully wear it will not suffer the eternal damnation of Hell and, through the intercession of the Mother of God, will attain the graces of final perseverance unto Heaven.”[1]Sometimes we worry about what we can do for those who have died, especially those who die away from the Church. Our Lady is particularly a mother to the souls in purgatory. For instance, in her Diary Saint Faustina recounted: “I saw Our Lady visiting the souls in purgatory. The souls call her ‘The Star of the Sea.’ She brings them refreshment.”[2] Why “Star of the Sea”? Saint Bernadine of Siena says that the pains of purgatory are like a sea, because they are bitter and temporary, like ocean waves. “Mary descends into those dark abysses and walks over those most bitter waters, to console her children and soften their torments.”[3] This is what Our Lady told Saint Bridget: “I am the mother of all the souls in purgatory, for the pains they endure to satisfy the divine justice are constantly alleviated by my intercession.”[4] So, what should we do for the faithful departed? Pray the Rosary: “St. Teresa of Jesus had a vision of Purgatory when she was reciting her Rosary. She saw that at each Hail Mary those souls received a spray of cool water that relieved them in their burning torments.” Let us heed the words of St. Alphonsus: “If we want to help to souls in Purgatory, let us say the Rosary for them, which brings them great comfort.” This was the advice of Saint Padre Pio as well: when giving someone a rosary he told them: “I am giving you a treasure. Know how to appreciate it and treasure it. Let us empty Purgatory.”[5] Do we really believe in Mary’s love and attention for the souls in Purgatory? Do we believe that she relieves the suffering of our loved ones, and that we can help with this by praying the Rosary? Do we make the time to pray for Rosary every day?[1] Mark Miravalle, Introduction to Mary: The Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion (Goleta, CA: Queenship Publishing, 2006), 172.
[2] Diary of Saint Faustina, 20.
[3] M. D’Arville, The Year of Mary; or, The True Servant of the Blessed Virgin (Philadelphia: Peter F. Cunningham, 1868), 378.
[4] M. D’Arville, The Year of Mary, 378.
[5] Anthony Josemaria FI, The Blessed Virgin Mary in England Volume 1 (New York: iUniverse, 2008), 400.
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