Catholics/Brown Scapular Questions

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 7/18/2011


Question
Hi Fr. Johnson! I wear a brown scapular, and recenly heard that it saves you from hell. Is this true, and also, does it save you from hell if you have a mortal sin on your soul?
Thank you!

Answer
Hi, Laurel:

The Brown Scapular is a Sacramental of the Church, not a Sacrament instituted by Christ, of which there are the Seven Sacraments.  The Brown Scapular has the promise attached that those who die wearing it will not suffer the fires of hell, but this is not to be understood in an absolute way, as if one can presume on God's mercy, or even worse treat the object as some sort of amulet or charm that has power of itself even over God's just judgment.
The Brown Scapular is an outward sign that indicates a spiritual relationship, being drawn to Christ and His Saving Power through His Mother Mary.  One who wears the Scapular is devoted to union with Mary in discipleship with Jesus Christ.  A disciple of Jesus Christ, member of His Mystical Body in communion with the Church can no more presume on God's mercy for anything less than true reform of life, continually striving to live a life of holiness, and being open to the life-giving and transforming power of the saving Grace of Jesus Christ.
Our relationship to Mary leads us to live in imitation of her who says: "Do whatever He tells you," and "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior."  The power and effect of the Brown Scapular, then, is to spur us on to greater devotion to the Science of the Saints, which will lead to a fuller participation in God's Saving Power in Jesus Christ, and through the Sacred Ministry of His Holy Catholic Church, here and now in this life...

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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