MADONNA DEL CARMELO 
Like many other devotions, it is difficult to determine precisely the origins of devotion to the Scapular of Caramel. Smoother and reporting phases of growth. Recall, however, as soon as "scapular" comes from "shoulder" and indicates that at many institutions quell'indumento monks or friars in the Middle Ages, covering both the chest and both shoulders or shoulder blades, after having stuck to his head. Generally needed for the work time, to protect the dress and do not stain. Scapular Carmelite Order as part of the uniform there is no trace in the rules or standards of living of the Order itself, written in the years 1206-1214. Nor is the Fiery Arrow remember, although it is a rich and important text of a short time later.
The first documents that speak of in the thirteenth century Carmelite Constitutions are, in their dual editor: London 1281, Bordeaux 1294. We find that every religion has prescribed two tunics and two "caps" or - as will be specified later - two "scapulars-cap" in addition, that all the brothers sleep in a cassock and scapular, under severe penalty, except for the sick. Similarly, the "Acts" of the General Chapter of Montpellier, in 1287, ordering that the white cape, recently introduced, is packaged in such a way as to leave visible the Scapular "habit of the Order."
During the fourteenth century, no hint in large Carmelite authors as Baconthorpe, ChemiNet, Oler. First to deal with it on purpose is Ribot, as he describes the shape of a long dress of the Carmelite and highlights symbolism. The Scapular, he says, should be worn at all times, day and night, with the greatest care, because it means "the yoke" of Christ, then that is the holy obedience that is promised as one vote, on the occasion of religious profession, because reflection of the fundamental with which Christ has made the human redemption.
first observation to be done in such a traditional perspective, it explains and justifies the stringency of hard at first exaggerated canonical sanctions, which were given. Dispose of the scapular, in fact, meant legally get rid of the "yoke" of Christ, dispel the monastic discipline embraced, relinquish the service of God under the consecrated life.
Second observation: in the beginning, the Scapular was honored for a disciplinary reason, we would say that Christological (in honor of Christ), rather than Marian (in honor of Mary). For over a century and a half from the beginning, it appears that the Scapular has been enriched with a value Marian impression that he was later slowly, reaching a level that warrants his identification with the same devotion to Mary of the Carmelites . But the sources did not. But then, when the appearance of Mary's dress was over, everything was a magnificent crescendo. And, despite the general decline in Marian devotion in recent decades, the devotion to the Scapular is still widely felt. Indeed, it may not even recognize the signs of a doubt its most vigorous flowering.
The Magisterium of the Church, far from the mark depreciation, is the first to authoritatively recommend this Marian devotion.
limit ourselves to a statement of the highest quality and that of Paul VI. In Marialis cultus proclaims devotion "Catholic" one of the Scapular, the Rosary together. And, by delegating the card. Silva Henriquez to represent in Congress-International Marian Marian in San Domingo, do not hesitate to declare, authoritatively, that the Scapular of Mount Caramel is one of those practices of Marian devotion "most recommended by the Magisterium of the Church throughout the centuries" and recommended by Vatican II.
