Second grader creates a brown scapular flurry at St. Clement Parish

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Cailey Southard learned of the brown scapular during CCD class this year at St. Clement of Rome. The devotion stirred in her heart and spread through her family and parish.

When Cailey Southard became enrolled in the brown scapular last fall, she didn't realize what a frenzy it would cause at her parish.

The second-grader at St. Clement of Rome learned about the brown scapular in Jeanne Fleuri's PSR class last fall. Since then, the 8-year-old and her family have spread their love for the scapular to several hundred members of the parish.

The brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel originated from the Blessed Mother's appearance to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite, on July 16, 1251. She gave him the scapular, an apron-like brown piece of fabric that is placed over the head. Today, a small version of the scapular is worn by those who follow the devotion. It has two stamp-sized pieces of brown wool, sometimes featuring an image connected to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and connected with a cord. It is worn as a sign of devotion to the Blessed Mother.

The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is Monday, July 16.

Last September, second- and seventh-graders in St. Clement's PSR received a visit from Mary Knollmeyer, a local Catholic woman who teaches school children about the Rosary and other devotions. It was there that Cailey learned about the scapular. Father Brian Fallon (then a transitional deacon) gave a talk to the students.

That's where Cailey learned "if you wear them you can live forever in heaven," she said.

That's actually just one part of the tradition, as handed down by the Blessed Mother, who said whoever wears the scapular would be saved from the fires of hell. The scapular, as a Church-approved sign, also holds individuals to live as authentic Christians who follow the teachings of the Gospel, to receive the sacraments and to profess a special devotion to the Blessed Mother.

In a way, "it's like Our Lady has a mantle around you," said Fleuri.

After Cailey and her class became enrolled in the brown scapular -- a process that generally includes prayers and a blessing of the scapular from a priest -- she excitedly came home and told her parents, Scott and Diane. She told her dad, who picked her up from PSR that night, that "everyone should wear one." Cailey also nudged her parents into giving scapulars to her five siblings. Her older brother, 9-year-old Evan, who was born with Fragile X syndrome (which can cause varying degrees of learning disabilities, mental impairment and sensory issues) was given a special green scapular, a similar devotion that does not require the recipient to wear it.

The week after Cailey was enrolled in the brown scapular, Scott and Diane Southard attended an event for the Annual Catholic Appeal, where Archbishop Robert J. Carlson had blessed brown scapulars for those in attendance. Was it a coincidence? The Southards aren't sure, but nevertheless, "we took this as a sign from God that we should be wearing this," said Diane Southard.

The family's interest in the scapular started to spread. Last October, Scott Southard attended an ACTS retreat at his parish and purchased 100 scapulars to give to retreatants. With the help of then-associate pastor Father Rodger Fleming, those who attended had the chance to enroll. Scott Southard purchased more scapulars for another ACTS retreat the following spring.

Cailey and her parents spoke to Jeanne Fleuri and Father Fleming about celebrating a Mass for anyone in the parish who wants to become enrolled in the scapular. They chose the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. Fleuri brought a relic of St. Simon Stock and Father Fleming brought holy water from Lourdes, France. The Southards brought 80 scapulars and quickly ran out. They started asking around for extras and were able to come up with enough for everyone who wanted one.

"It was like the story of the loaves and fishes," said Diane Southard.

The stories that came from that Mass were what amazed Cailey and her family the most.

"Someone asked for one to bring to his dying friend," said Diane Southard. Another parishioner who attended the Mass and enrolled in the scapular suddenly died a few days later. She was wearing the scapular when she passed away.

"The feedback we got from people who were touched was amazing," said Diane Southard. "Or people we heard from who said they already had one. We see that people are still wearing them, and some are even asking us for extras if theirs wear out."