The Parish of Our Lady in Traspontina

July 16 is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Feast is solemnly celebrated in the Church of Traspontina by the Carmelite Fathers and by the entire community.

On the Sunday before July 16 at 6:30 pm each year, in honor of the Holy Virgin, a solemn procession takes place through the ancient streets of the Borgo district, the characteristic neighborhood near St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican.

Many faithful from the Parish and beyond participate with great devotion.

History of the Statue and Blessing

On September 12, 2001, on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the gift of the Scapular by Our Lady to St. Simon Stock, during the audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope St. John Paul II crowned the statue of the Virgin and Child.

The Confraternity of the Scapular of Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo in Traspontina carries this statue every year in procession.

Throughout the year, the statue can be found inside the parish church.

The statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who sits like a Queen on a golden throne was made in 1922 based on a design by Friar Aureliano, of the Brothers of Mercy.

It was blessed by Pius XI in a private audience.

On the eve of the Feast in 1928 it was solemnly crowned by Bishop Mons. Luigi Pellizzi.

History of the Brown Scapular

In the year 1251, in the town of Aylesford in England, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite. She handed him a brown woolen scapular and said, “This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.”

This magnificent privilege is extended to all the laity who are willing to be invested in the Brown Scapular of the Carmelites and who perpetually wear it.

What is True Devotion to Mary?

True devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary consists in 3 things: VENERATION, CONFIDENCE & LOVE. By simply wearing the Scapular, we can tell her every moment of the day that we venerate her, love her, & trust in her protection.

Wearing the Scapular is a Silent Prayer

As Our Lord taught us to say the Our Father, Our Blessed Mother taught us the value of the scapular. When we use it as a prayer, Our Lady draws us to the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Son. It is good, therefore, to hold the scapular in the hand. A prayer offered while holding the Scapular is as perfect as a prayer can be. It is especially in time of temptation that we need the powerful intercession of God’s Mother. The evil spirit is utterly powerless when the wearer of a scapular faces temptation, calling upon the Holy Virgin in this silent devotion. “If you had recommended yourself to me, you would not have run into such danger,” was Our Lady’s gentle reproach to Blessed Alan de la Roche, one of her devoted servants.

Sabbatine Privilege: what is it?

Mary promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell; She will also shorten their stay in purgatory if they should pass from this world still owing some debt of punishment.

This promise is found in a Bull of Pope John XXII. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him &, speaking of those who wear the Brown Scapular, said, “I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in purgatory I shall free so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting.”

Conditions for this privilege:

• Wear the brown scapular continuously.
• Live chastity in one’s state in life.
• Recite the Rosary daily (this is a substitute for reciting the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary OR for fasting on Wednesdays and Saturdays in honor of Our Lady)

See this year’s procession down Borgo Pio in the Vatican neighborhood, the friendly tourist street every Roman pilgrim spends some time on.