Blessing and Investiture of Scapulars
Prayer of the Blessing
11. The priest or deacon, with arms outstretched, says this prayer of blessing.
O God, author and perfection of holiness, who call those who were born of water and the Holy Spirit to the fullness of the Christian life, look with kindness on those who are about to receive devoutly the Scapular of Carmel which they will wear faithfully as the sign of their commitment to the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. Grant that in surrendering to the love of the most tender Virgin, they may conform themselves to the image of Jesus Christ your Son, and having run the course of this life happily, may they enter into the joy of your house. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen
The priest or deacon then sprinkles the scapular with holy water.
Enrollment in the Scapular
12. The officiant then places the Scapular on each faithful who has requested it, and says:
Receive this Scapular. (Through this Scapular you become a member of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.) Full of faith in the love of such a great Mother, dedicate yourself to imitating her and to a special relationship with her. Wear this sign as a reminder of the presence of Mary in your daily commitment to be clothed in Jesus Christ and to manifest him in your life for the good of the Church and the whole of humanity, and to the glory of the Most Blessed Trinity.
R. Amen.
13. If deemed more appropriate, when there are many persons to be enrolled in the Scapular, the officiant may say the form of enrollment once only. Then all together answer Amen and approach the officiant to receive the Scapular.
14. After enrollment, the officiant addresses all in these words:
Having received the Scapular, you have been received into the family of Carmel, consecrated in a special way to the imitation and service of the Virgin Mother of God, that you may live for Christ and his Church in the contemplative and apostolic spirit of the Order of Carmel. And that you may be able to follow this ideal perfectly, by the faculties entrusted to me, I admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits of the Order of Carmel.
15. After explaining briefly and clearly the commitment and obligations involved in being admitted institutionally to the Carmelite family, the officiant closes the rite with a solemn blessing.
May almighty God bless + us, keep us from all evil and lead us to eternal life.
R. Amen.
17. The celebration may end with an appropriate hymn to Our Lady, for instance, Flos Carmeli, Salve Regina, Sub tuum praesidium.
Taken from the Rite for the Blessing of and Enrolment in the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel