A Marian Devotion for Catholic Men

The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the oldest and most beloved Marian devotions in the Catholic Church. For centuries, Catholics have worn it as a sign of their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and their desire to follow Christ under her maternal care.

But what exactly is the Brown Scapular? Where did it come from? What does it promise? What does enrollment mean? And perhaps most importantly, what does wearing it actually ask of us?

The answer is deeper than simply wearing a small piece of brown cloth around our neck.

The Brown Scapular is a sacramental — a visible sign that points us toward God’s grace and calls us to live our Christian vocation more faithfully. The Church describes it as an external sign of our filial relationship with Mary, our trust in her maternal intercession, our commitment to prayer, and our desire to live the spiritual life more deeply.

At its heart, the message of the Scapular is simple:

Mary wants to lead us closer to her Son.

1. The Story Behind the Scapular

The story of the Brown Scapular begins on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.

Mount Carmel has a special place in Sacred Scripture because of the prophet Elijah. In the First Book of Kings, Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal and calls Israel back to faithfulness to the one true God. Later, after a long drought, Elijah sends his servant to look toward the sea. The servant eventually sees a small cloud rising from the sea — a sign that the drought is ending and that life-giving rain is coming.

For the Carmelites, Elijah became a model of prayer, zeal for God, and faithfulness to the Lord.

Centuries later, Christian hermits gathered on Mount Carmel. During the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, these hermits developed into the religious community that became the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

Mary was central to their identity. They built a chapel dedicated to her and came to regard themselves as particularly belonging to her. They became known as the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

The Carmelite tradition has always seen a close connection between Elijah, Mary and Christ.

Elijah represents the passionate search for the living God.

Mary represents the perfect response to God — her fiat, her prayer, her humility and her complete willingness to do God’s will.

And both ultimately point us toward Jesus Christ.

2. St. Simon Stock and the Scapular

The traditional story of the Brown Scapular centers on St. Simon Stock, an important Carmelite leader in England.

According to Carmelite tradition, in 1251, during a difficult period in the history of the Carmelite Order, Our Lady appeared to Simon Stock and gave him the Brown Scapular as a sign of her special protection of the Order.

The traditional account tells us that Mary said:

“Whoever dies clothed in this garment will not suffer eternal fire.”

The Scapular therefore became a sign of Mary’s maternal protection and of the special relationship between the Carmelites and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

There is an important historical caution here.

The Carmelite tradition concerning the vision of St. Simon Stock is ancient and deeply embedded in the spirituality of the Order. However, the surviving historical evidence does not allow us to establish every detail of the traditional account with the same certainty as a documented historical event. The precise story and wording associated with the apparition developed over time.

That does not mean Catholics must throw away the devotion.

It means we should distinguish between historical evidence and pious tradition.

The Church continues to approve and promote the Brown Scapular devotion, while the deeper meaning of the Scapular is not dependent upon proving every historical detail surrounding the apparition.

3. What Is the Brown Scapular?

The word scapular comes from the Latin scapula, meaning shoulder.

The scapular was originally a large piece of cloth worn over the shoulders as part of the habit of religious communities. For the Carmelites, the brown scapular became an important part of their religious habit and a visible sign of their dedication to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The small Brown Scapular worn by lay Catholics is essentially a reduced form of that religious habit.

The Church’s Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy describes the Scapular as an external sign of our filial relationship with Mary, our trust in her protection, our recourse to her maternal intercession, and our commitment to prayer and the spiritual life

It is important to understand what the Scapular is not.

• It is not magic.
• It is not a good-luck charm.
• It is not a spiritual insurance policy.
• And it is not a substitute for living the Christian life.

Instead, it is a sacramental — a sacred sign given to us by the Church to help dispose us to grace and remind us of our commitment to Christ.

4. The Scapular Points Us to Christ

This may be the most important thing to understand about the devotion.

The Brown Scapular is Marian, but it is not ultimately about taking our attention away from Jesus.

It does exactly the opposite.

Mary always leads us to Christ.

The official rite of enrollment makes this connection very clearly. Those receiving the Scapular are reminded that it is a sign of Mary’s presence in their daily commitment to be “clothed in Jesus Christ.”

The Carmelite tradition itself emphasizes this Christ-centered character. Although the Carmelites have a profound devotion to Mary, their vocation is fundamentally about following Jesus Christ.

This gives the Scapular a beautiful connection to our Baptism.

At Baptism, we are clothed in Christ.

The Brown Scapular can serve as a daily reminder:

I belong to Christ. I am called to live for Christ. I want Christ to shape the way I live.

Mary helps us do that because she is the perfect disciple of her Son.

5. What Does Wearing the Scapular Ask of Us?

Wearing the Scapular should change something about the way we live.

It is a reminder to imitate Mary:

• Her faith
• Her humility
• Her obedience
• Her purity
• Her courage
• Her patience
• Her prayer
• Her willingness to say yes to God

The Scapular is sometimes described as Mary’s “habit.”

That is a useful image.

If we put on the Scapular every morning, we should also ask ourselves:

• What kind of man am I going to be today?
• Will I be patient with my wife?
• Will I be a good father and grandfather?
• Will I keep my temper?
• Will I resist temptation?
• Will I make time for prayer?
• Will I go to Mass?
• Will I go to Confession when I need it?
• Will I treat other people with charity?
• Will I have the courage to do what is right when doing what is right is difficult?
• The little piece of cloth around our neck cannot answer those questions for us.
• But it can remind us to ask them.

6. Enrollment in the Brown Scapular

Receiving a Brown Scapular and being enrolled in the Scapular are not quite the same thing.

The Church has an official Rite for the Blessing and Enrollment in the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

The rite preferably takes place within a communal celebration. Enrollment signifies an affiliation with the Carmelite family and formally incorporates the person into the spiritual tradition associated with the Scapular.

The traditional form of the Scapular is used for the enrollment. Afterward, the Scapular may, under the appropriate circumstances, be replaced by a scapular medal.

The enrollment itself is not a magical ceremony.

It is an act of commitment.

The rite speaks of receiving the Scapular as a sign of Mary’s maternal protection and as a pledge to imitate and serve her. It reminds the wearer to be clothed in Christ and to manifest Christ in his life for the good of the Church and the world.

In other words:

We aren’t enrolling in a superstition. We are entering more deeply into a way of Christian discipleship.

7. The Promises of the Scapular

The traditional promise associated with the Brown Scapular is connected with Mary’s maternal protection, especially at the hour of death.

The traditional wording is often summarized as:

“Whoever dies clothed in this garment will not suffer eternal fire.”

This promise has sometimes been misunderstood.

It does not mean:

“If I wear a Brown Scapular, I can live however I want and Mary will guarantee my salvation.”

That would completely contradict the purpose of the devotion.

The Carmelite understanding is that the Scapular calls the wearer to a life of faithfulness, prayer and conversion. The person who devoutly wears the Scapular is entrusting himself to Mary’s maternal care and asking for her help in remaining faithful to Christ.

Pope St. John Paul II expressed this beautifully in his 2001 message to the Carmelite family. He explained that the Scapular points both to Mary’s constant protection and to the responsibility of the wearer to make devotion to Mary a genuine way of Christian living — a life marked by prayer, the sacraments and works of mercy.

The promise, then, should inspire confidence in God’s mercy, not presumption.

• Mary does not give us permission to sin.
• She helps us fight sin.
• She doesn’t give us an excuse to avoid Christ.
• She helps us get closer to Him.

8. What About the Sabbatine Privilege?

This is where we need to be especially careful.

The Sabbatine Privilege is often presented in popular Catholic literature as a promise that those who wear the Brown Scapular and fulfill certain conditions will be released from Purgatory on the Saturday following their death.

The history behind this claim is complicated.

The Carmelite tradition itself distinguishes the Sabbatine Privilege from the basic Scapular Promise, and modern Carmelite explanations note that the Holy See raised serious objections to the historical basis of the Sabbatine Privilege in the seventeenth century.

Therefore, we should not teach the men of COR that wearing the Scapular guarantees release from Purgatory on the first Saturday after death.

There is, however, a long-standing Catholic tradition of trusting in Mary’s intercession for those who devoutly wear the Scapular and strive to live faithfully.

The safest and most useful way to approach this is to focus on what the Church clearly asks of the devotion:

Trust Mary. Pray. Live faithfully. Receive the sacraments. Turn away from sin. Practice charity. Remain close to Christ.

The Scapular should increase our desire for holiness — not turn the spiritual life into a checklist.

9. A Few Important Cautions

There are several things every Catholic should understand.

The Scapular is not a good-luck charm.

It has no magical power.

The Scapular does not save us by itself.

Our salvation comes through Jesus Christ and His grace.

The Scapular does not replace the Sacraments.

A man cannot skip Confession, ignore the Eucharist, reject God’s commandments and then think the Scapular will somehow protect him.

The Scapular does not give permission to sin.

Quite the opposite.

Wearing it should remind us that we are called to conversion.

The Scapular should lead us toward Mary, not superstition.

Mary’s entire life points toward Jesus.

At Cana, Mary gives us perhaps the simplest instruction for the Christian life:

“Do whatever he tells you.”

That is ultimately the message of the Brown Scapular.

10. The Brown Scapular as a Man’s Daily Reminder

There is something particularly fitting about the idea of a Catholic man deliberately choosing to wear the Scapular.

• Every morning, as we get dressed, we put it on.
• And perhaps we can say a simple prayer:
• “Mary, Mother of God, help me today to follow your Son.”
• Then we go about our day.
• We go to work.
• We deal with difficult people.
• We handle responsibilities.
• We face temptations.
• We take care of our families.
• We make decisions.
• We get tired.
• We sometimes lose our patience.
• We sometimes fail.
• And there, around our neck, is that little reminder:
• I belong to Christ.
• Mary is not asking us to become something other than men.
• She is asking us to become holy men.
• Men who pray.
• Men who keep their word.
• Men who protect their families.
• Men who serve.
• Men who repent when they fall.
• Men who have the courage to stand for the truth.
• Men who are willing to say, like Mary:
• “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

11. The Brown Scapular and COR

This makes the Brown Scapular a natural Marian devotion for the men of COR.

COR is about helping Catholic men become stronger disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Brown Scapular gives us a simple physical reminder of that calling.

We wear it because we want Mary’s help.

We wear it because we want to imitate her.

We wear it because we want to be reminded of Christ.

And we wear it because we recognize that we cannot become holy men by our own strength.

We need God’s grace.

We need the Sacraments.

We need prayer.

We need the Church.

We need good Catholic men around us who will encourage us, challenge us and hold us accountable.

And we need the maternal help of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Simple Daily Prayer

When putting on the Brown Scapular each morning, a man could simply pray:

“Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church,
help me to live this day faithfully as a disciple of your Son.
Help me imitate your faith, your humility and your obedience.
Protect me from sin and temptation.
Lead me always closer to Jesus.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for me.
Amen.”

It doesn’t need to be complicated.

The point is to remember.

The Bottom Line

The Brown Scapular is a small sign with a big message:

• It reminds us that Mary is our spiritual mother.
• It reminds us that she wants to protect us and lead us toward her Son.
• It reminds us of our Baptism — that we have been clothed in Christ.
• It calls us to prayer, conversion, fidelity and charity.
• And it reminds us that the Christian life isn’t something we do once a week.
• It is something we put on every day.
• The Brown Scapular is not a guarantee that we can avoid the consequences of sin.
• It is a reminder that we should avoid sin.
• It is not a substitute for faith.
• It is a sign of faith.
• It is not a substitute for Christ.
• It is a reminder to follow Christ.
• And perhaps that is the best way to understand the devotion:
• We put on Mary’s Scapular so that we may learn to put on Christ.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

St. Simon Stock, pray for us.

St. Elijah, pray for us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, lead us to your Son.

Growing Closer to Jesus Through the Devotions of Our Blessed Mother

As part of our COR journey through Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother, we will also spend time discovering some of the Church’s treasured Marian devotions.

These devotions have enriched the spiritual lives of countless Catholics throughout the centuries and point us more deeply toward Jesus Christ.

The purpose of Marian Heritage is not simply to learn about Marian devotions, but to discover how these beautiful traditions can become part of our own prayer lives and help us follow Christ more faithfully.

Mary always leads us to Jesus.

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Our Journey

Throughout our COR study, each session will introduce a different Marian devotion. These reflections are designed to help us move beyond simply learning about these practices and begin living them as part of our daily walk with Christ.

By the end of our journey, our hope is that each man will have discovered new ways to pray, grow in holiness, and deepen his relationship with Jesus through the example and intercession of His Blessed Mother.

“Do whatever He tells you.”
— John 2:5

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Marian Heritage Devotions

The Holy Rosary

The Gospel on a String

The Rosary is one of the most beloved prayers in the Catholic Church.

Through the mysteries of the Rosary, we meditate on the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of His Blessed Mother. The Rosary invites us to slow down, pray with Scripture, and grow closer to Christ.

Theme:
Trusting God through prayer and meditation on the life of Christ.

Explore the Holy Rosary →

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The Brown Scapular

Clothed in Mary’s Protection

The Brown Scapular has been a treasured Catholic sacramental for centuries and is closely connected with Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Carmelite spiritual tradition.

The scapular is not a “good luck charm” or a substitute for a life of faith. It is a reminder to imitate Mary’s virtues, seek holiness, and live faithfully as a disciple of Christ.

Theme:
Living each day under Mary’s guidance and striving for holiness while always keeping our focus on her Son, Jesus Christ.

Explore the Brown Scapular → link

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The Miraculous Medal

A Medal of Grace

The Miraculous Medal reminds us of God’s grace and Mary’s loving intercession.

Through the story of St. Catherine Labouré and the origins of the medal, we reflect on Mary’s role in pointing us toward her Son and opening our hearts to God’s grace.

Theme:
Opening our hearts to God’s grace through Mary’s intercession.

Explore the Miraculous Medal →

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The Angelus

Remembering the Incarnation

The Angelus is a prayer that has marked the rhythm of Christian life for centuries.

By pausing during the day to pray the Angelus, we remember the moment when God became man and renew our own “yes” to His will.

Theme:
Bringing Christ into the ordinary moments of everyday life.

Explore the Angelus →

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The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Standing at the Foot of the Cross

Mary’s life was filled with both joy and sorrow. The Seven Sorrows devotion invites us to walk with Mary through the difficult moments of her life and discover how suffering united with Christ can deepen our faith.

Theme:
Finding hope and perseverance in times of suffering.

Explore the Seven Sorrows of Mary →

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The Five First Saturdays

A Heart That Makes Reparation

The Five First Saturdays devotion, connected with Our Lady of Fatima, invites us to deeper conversion through prayer, repentance, the Sacraments, and meditation on the mysteries of Christ.

Theme:
Conversion, repentance, and deeper love for Jesus.

Explore the Five First Saturdays →

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Marian Consecration

Totally Yours

Marian consecration is the beautiful tradition of entrusting ourselves completely to Jesus through Mary.

Following the example of saints throughout the Church, we learn that true Marian devotion always leads us to a deeper surrender to Christ.

Theme:
Giving ourselves completely to Jesus through the loving guidance of His Mother.

Explore Marian Consecration →

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Our Goal

The goal of Marian Heritage is not simply to learn about these devotions.

It is to begin living them.

Whether it is praying a decade of the Rosary, wearing the Brown Scapular, pausing for the Angelus, making a First Saturday devotion, or deepening our prayer through Marian consecration, each practice is meant to help us grow closer to Christ.

As these devotions become part of our daily lives, our hope is that we come to know Jesus more deeply by following the example of the woman who knew Him best.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

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COR at St. Clement of Rome

Prayer. Formation. Fraternity.

To Jesus Through Mary.

Marian Heritage is part of our COR journey through Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother. As we learn about Mary’s life, we also discover the spiritual practices that have helped generations of Catholics follow her example and draw closer to Christ.

Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother

Join us for Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother, an inspiring eight-session study led by renowned Catholic author and theologian Dr. Edward Sri. Filmed on location in the Holy Land, this program takes participants on a spiritual pilgrimage through the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, exploring her joys, sorrows, and unique role in God’s plan of salvation.

This study is designed for Catholic men who desire a deeper understanding of Scripture, a stronger relationship with Christ, and a greater appreciation for the Blessed Mother’s role in God’s plan.

Program Details

• Sessions are Saturday Mornings, Dates to be announced
• Time: 9:00 AM
• Location: Aquinas Room, St. Clement of Rome
• Duration: 8 Sessions
• Workbook Donation: $25
• No previous Bible study experience is necessary

Session Two: The Annunciation – Mary’s “Yes”

In our second COR Marian study, we reflected on one of the most beautiful moments in Scripture: the Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38), when the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she had been chosen to be the Mother of Jesus.

Together we explored the meaning behind Gabriel’s remarkable greeting, “Hail, full of grace,” and why the Church recognizes these words as revealing Mary’s unique role in God’s plan of salvation. We also examined the biblical foundations of the Immaculate Conception and how Mary’s life had been specially prepared for her mission.

Our discussion connected the Annunciation with key Old Testament figures such as Moses and Gideon, showing that, like them, Mary was called to an extraordinary mission with the assurance that “the Lord is with you.” Unlike many who were overwhelmed by fear, Mary responded with faith, trust, and humble obedience.

We also looked at how Gabriel’s announcement fulfilled God’s ancient promise to King David that the Messiah would reign forever. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary would become the Mother of the Son of God, bringing God’s plan of redemption into the world.

The session concluded by reflecting on Mary’s response:

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary’s “fiat”—her wholehearted “yes” to God—remains a model for every Christian. Her example challenges each of us to ask whether we are willing to trust God’s plan above our own and to live each day as faithful servants of the Lord.

As a practical takeaway, the men were encouraged to spend time this week asking God where He is calling them to greater trust and obedience—in their families, work, friendships, and spiritual lives—and to respond with the same faith and generosity that Mary demonstrated.

Session Three: The Visitation — Mary’s Faith in Action

Saturday, August 22

Our third COR Marian study will take us to the Visitation (Luke 1:39–56), when Mary travels “with haste” to visit her cousin Elizabeth after the Annunciation.

This journey reveals Mary’s deep faith, humility, and desire to serve others, even as she carries the Son of God within her.

“Blessed Are You Among Women”

As Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, greets Mary with the words “Blessed are you among women” and “the mother of my Lord,” we’ll explore why these titles are so significant.

Rooted in the Old Testament, they help us understand Mary’s unique role in God’s plan of salvation.

Mary and the Ark of the Covenant

We’ll also examine the striking biblical parallels between Mary’s journey and the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant.

Just as the Ark was associated with God’s presence among His people, Mary carries Jesus — the Word made flesh — to Elizabeth.

The Magnificat

The heart of the session will be Mary’s beautiful hymn of praise, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55).

We’ll reflect on Mary’s humility, gratitude, and confidence in God’s promises, and consider how her prayer can teach us to recognize and give thanks for the great things God has done in our own lives.

Putting Faith Into Action

As we prepare for the session, we’ll be challenged to imitate Mary’s example:

• Respond when God calls.
• Serve others with humility.
• Make praise and gratitude part of our daily lives.

Session Resources

Materials for Session 3 will be added here as they are prepared.

[Participant Resources — Coming Soon]

[Facilitator Resources — Coming Soon]

Marian Heritage

Our Marian Heritage series continues alongside the Mary study, giving us an opportunity to learn about and practice the traditional Marian devotions of the Catholic Church.

[Explore Marian Heritage →]

A participant workbook is available for this study and is highly recommended. To help offset the cost of materials, we ask for a $25 donation. To reserve your workbook and make your donation, click here.

Whether you already have a strong devotion to Our Lady or are just beginning to understand her place in salvation history, this study offers a unique opportunity to encounter Christ through the eyes of His Blessed Mother. We invite you to join us as we walk with Mary and draw closer to her Son.

COR meets Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Aquinas Room at St. Clement of Rome. Every Catholic man is welcome.

Cor is just getting started at St. Clement of Rome Parish in Romeo, Michigan. Cor is a fraternity of Catholic men who desire to grow stronger in faith, virtue, and brotherhood. In a world that often pulls men in a hundred different directions, Cor offers a place to slow down, speak honestly, and encourage one another to live as authentic Catholic men—as husbands, fathers, sons, and leaders—rooted in Christ and His Church.

Through prayer, meaningful discussion, and real fellowship, Cor helps men deepen their relationship with God while forming genuine bonds with other men who are striving for the same goal: holiness. If you’re looking for more than a surface-level men’s group—if you want faith that is lived, challenged, and supported—Cor may be for you. If you’re interested in growing in your faith and walking this journey alongside other committed Catholic men, please fill out the form below and join us.

Our first Cor gathering at St. Clement of Rome was a tremendous blessing and an encouraging sign of what is to come. Nearly 20 men came together in fraternity to pray, reflect, and speak honestly about where they are in their spiritual lives. The discussion was thoughtful, respectful, and deeply constructive—exactly the kind of authentic encounter Cor is meant to foster.

Fr. Vito led us through several key themes of Advent, helping ground our conversation in the Church’s call to watchfulness, repentance, and hopeful expectation as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. His guidance set a strong spiritual foundation and reminded us that Cor is not about having all the answers, but about intentionally turning our hearts toward the Lord together.

The morning also included simple fellowship over coffee and donuts, reinforcing the brotherhood that lies at the heart of Cor. By the end of the meeting, there was a shared sense of purpose and enthusiasm, and the group unanimously agreed to continue the journey by meeting again in January.

We are grateful to everyone who attended and took part in this first step. Cor at St. Clement of Rome is off to a strong start, and we look forward to growing together in faith, virtue, and fraternity in the months ahead.

Would you like to be kept up to date on future events and activities? Please use the form below. We’re starting a new Cor-only distribution list. We had several guys attend who aren’t Knights and from other parishes.

A live action shot!

Click here to go to the main Cor info page.

It was another banner year for kids getting to talk directly to the Big Guy. No, not that Big Guy… Santa. A big thanks to everyone who helped out today and, of course, a huge thanks to Santa for taking time out at this very busy time of year. The guy is a real giver.

Please Note: If your child is included below and, for whatever reason, you’d like to have the picture taken down, please use the “Contact Us” form on this site. We’ll remove it immediately.

Please help us make this COR Program meaningful to you. Take 2 minutes and answer the following questions. Below, we ask for your name, email, and phone number. We are building a distribution list to keep men informed about the logistics and details of this particular program. You will NOT receive emails on any other topics. Additionally, if you provide your phone number, you’ll be added to an occasional robocall and SMS message list.

Please note that your Email and Phone number are not required fields. However, having this information will enable us to stay in contact with you. Your information is private; it will not be sold or shared with anyone.

If you have any questions about COR, this survey or any topic on this website, please get in touch with Brian O’Curran using the “Contact Us” form above.

Strengthen Your Faith • Build Brotherhood • Encounter Christ

Next Meeting Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother	Saturday, July 25th, Session 2 Saturday, August 22, Session 3 Details Here
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Second Meeting, Prep for Lent	Here (Relive the Magic)
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Why Men Need to Grow in Faith—Together

In today’s world, it’s easy for men to feel isolated, distracted, and pulled in too many directions. Yet, as Catholic men, we are called to lead—with courage, integrity, and faith. Growth in our relationship with Christ doesn’t happen alone; it happens when we walk with other men who challenge and encourage us to live out our faith in daily life. Being part of a brotherhood rooted in prayer and truth helps us become better husbands, fathers, and disciples. The COR program is designed to strengthen men in their spiritual lives and to build the kind of authentic fraternity that every man needs to stand firm in his Catholic faith.

What is Cor?

COR — Latin for “heart” — is a men’s faith initiative from the Knights of Columbus. It’s a place for Catholic men to encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and grow in authentic brotherhood. Each gathering includes prayer, reflection, and open conversation that connects faith to everyday life — at home, at work, and in our parish community.

Why Cor at St. Clement?

Our pastor, Fr. Chris, has invited the Knights of Columbus to launch COR here at St. Clement. This ministry is open to all men of the parish — Knights and non-Knights alike — who desire to grow in faith and friendship.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

Our Next Meeting:

📅 Saturday, JULY 25th
🕘 9:00 – 10:30 AM
📍 St. Clement of Rome, Aquanis Room

Have Your Say

We’re shaping the future of COR at our parish, and we’d love your input. Please take our short 2-minute survey to share your preferences and interests.

Please follow us on Facebook, COR at St Clement of Rome, click the image below.

A Special Visit to St. Clement of Rome
Join us for a Sacred Heart Holy Hour
Monday, September 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Welcome the Sacred Heart Icon

Our Knights of Columbus Council is honored to host the Sacred Heart of Jesus Pilgrim Icon, part of a worldwide program that has touched the lives of over 23 million faithful since 1979. This sacred icon, blessed by Pope Francis, features a reproduction of Pompeo Batoni’s renowned 1767 painting of the Sacred Heart, which is venerated at the Church of the Gesù in Rome.

The Sacred Heart represents God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind and symbolizes the long-suffering love and compassion of Christ’s heart toward humanity. This devotion, rooted in the mystical revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque between 1673 and 1675, continues to inspire Catholics worldwide to grow closer to Jesus through His Sacred Heart.

Join Us in Prayer

All parishioners, families, and friends are warmly invited to attend this special Sacred Heart Holy Hour on Monday evening. Come and experience the peace, mercy, and abundant love that flows from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us gather as a parish family to honor Christ’s heart, which beats with infinite love for each of us.

Sacred Heart Holy Hour Program
Monday, September 29, 2025 – 6:00 PM In the Day Chapel

Our special Sacred Heart Holy Hour will include:

• Scripture Readings from the Word of God
• Reflections from Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• The Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Prayers to the Sacred Heart including traditional devotions
• Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Time for Silent Prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Enthrone the Sacred Heart in Your Home

Families are encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes by placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a place of honor and conducting a simple enthronement ceremony. This practice brings Christ’s love and protection directly into our domestic churches.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most cherished and widespread Catholic devotions, emphasizing Jesus’ boundless love and mercy for humanity. It finds its roots in scripture and tradition, flourished in the medieval mystical era, and reached its current form through the revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century.

History of the Devotion

• The concept has scriptural origins, including references to God’s love and Christ’s wounded heart.
• Early Christians and Church Fathers often meditated on Jesus’ Five Wounds; St. Gertrude the Great (13th century) had mystical experiences highlighting the Heart of Jesus.
• Formal devotion began to coalesce in the 17th century with St. John Eudes, who promoted the first feasts and prayers to the Sacred Heart.
• The devotion was universally established after Christ’s apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1673–1675), whose confessor St. Claude de la Colombière helped spread devotion and consecration to the Sacred Heart.

Devotional Practices

• Feast Day: Celebrated on the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi (usually in June), as requested by Christ in a vision to St. Margaret Mary.
• First Friday Devotions: Catholics are encouraged to receive Holy Communion and make reparations on the first Friday of every month in honor of Christ’s Heart.
• Holy Hour: Devotees spend an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, often meditating on the sufferings and love of Christ.

Prayers and Litanies

• Consecration to the Sacred Heart: The act of offering oneself or one’s family to Jesus, trusting in His love and protection.
• Litany of the Sacred Heart: A series of invocations praising Jesus’ virtues and love, ending with petitions for mercy and grace.
• Novena to the Sacred Heart: A nine-day prayer for special intentions, often preceding the feast.

Theological Significance

• The Sacred Heart is a symbol of Jesus’ infinite charity, mercy, and the desire to draw souls to His redeeming love.
• Papal encyclicals (e.g., Miserentissimus Redemptor by Pope Pius XI) declare this devotion “the epitome of our religion,” encouraging universal participation and emphasizing acts of reparation for offenses against Christ.

Iconography

• Typically depicted as a flaming heart shining with divine light, wounded and encircled by the crown of thorns, surmounted by a cross—a visual summary of Christ’s loving sacrifice and passion.

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart

Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary twelve special graces for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life
2. I will establish peace in their families
3. I will comfort them in their trials
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death
5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection
9. I will bless every place where a picture of my Heart shall be set up and honored
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced
12. I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart, that my all-powerful love will grant, to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance

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Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

(Composed by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness.

Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.

I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen.

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Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the Word of God,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwell all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, saturated with insults,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray:
Almighty and Eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and grant that we may obtain forgiveness of our sins and the grace to serve Thee with all our hearts. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer of Reparation to the Sacred Heart

O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing,
I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my sins
I offer You this poor heart of mine.
Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your will.
Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You.
Protect my loved ones, and give me the grace to do Your holy will.
Amen.

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Here is the full text of the traditional Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer, commonly prayed over nine days seeking special graces:

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Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus,
whose Heart is the dwelling place of mercy and love,
I adore Thee and offer Thee my poor heart.

I repent with my whole heart for ever having offended Thee;
and I am deeply sorry for all my sins.

Make my heart a fit dwelling place for Thy love,
and a refuge of Thy glory.

Infuse into my heart a true spirit of sacrifice,
of love for Thee and for my neighbor;
and grant that I may never offend Thee more.

Assist me by Thy grace in all my needs,
in all my trials and sufferings of this life,
and may I love Thee more and more every day.

I consecrate to Thy Sacred Heart
my understanding, my will, and all my affections,
my thoughts, my words, and all my actions.

May my heart so closely unite with Thine
that I may never be separated from Thee.

O Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
I place all my trust in Thee.

Grant me the grace
to be faithful to Thee until death,
and then to praise Thee in Heaven forever.

Amen.

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This novena is prayed for nine consecutive days, often with specific daily intentions, leading up to the Feast of the Sacred Heart or for personal petitions. It expresses adoration, contrition, consecration, and petition, drawing the soul into deeper union with Christ’s merciful love.

We are expanding the monthly Rosary in the Day Chapel to every week before the 10:30 am Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At 10 am we will begin. Please join us. Of course, we encourage all parishioners to participate. Likewise, we encourage and are in need of weekly leaders for this devotion. Some of us Knights will get it started but, we’d very much like this to be a parishwide effort. If you would be willing to lead the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Day Chapel – contact Karrie Illner via email.

As Our Lady admonished the seers at Fatima, “Pray your Rosary every day.” We should listen to our Mother’s advice.

If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory. For even if you are now on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil…sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and save your soul. If—you say the Rosary devoutly every day of your life.

St. Louis de Montfort

If you would help us out by leading one Sunday, contact Karrie Illner via email. .

Below are the 15 Promises of the Virgin Mary to those who faithfully pray the Rosary:

• 1. To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.
• 2. Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some special grace.
• 3. The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin, and dispel heresy.
• 4. The Rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
• 5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.
• 6. Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.
• 7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
• 8. Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.
• 9. I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.
• 10. True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.
• 11. By the recitation of the Rosary you shall obtain all that you ask of me.
• 12. To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities.
• 13. I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.
• 14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
• 15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

If you would help us out by leading one Sunday, contact Karrie Illner via email.

The teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the Rosary emphasize its significance as a powerful form of prayer, deeply rooted in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the mysteries of Christ.

Pope Leo XIII, in his encyclical Magnae Dei Matris (1892), highlights the Rosary as a means to contemplate the central mysteries of the Christian faith, including the Incarnation, the Passion, and the glory of Christ and Mary. He notes that through the Rosary, the faithful are brought closer to Mary, who is both the Mother of God and our Mother, allowing them to witness the unfolding of salvation history.

Pope John Paul II, in Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002), describes the Rosary as a Christocentric prayer that invites the faithful to contemplate the beauty of Christ through the lens of Mary. He emphasizes that the Rosary is not only a Marian devotion but also a profound meditation on the Gospel, serving as a compendium of the faith3. The prayer is seen as a way to receive grace and deepen one’s relationship with Christ, facilitated by Mary’s intercession.

Furthermore, the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2001) affirms the Rosary’s role as a biblically inspired prayer that encourages contemplation of the salvific events in Christ’s life, closely associated with Mary. It is characterized as a contemplative prayer that fosters a tranquil rhythm, allowing the faithful to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life.

In summary, the Blessed Virgin Mary, through the teachings of the Church, encourages the faithful to pray the Rosary as a means of deepening their understanding of Christ’s life and mission, while also experiencing her maternal care and intercession. The Rosary serves as a spiritual journey that leads to a greater appreciation of the mysteries of faith and a closer relationship with both Christ and Mary.

If you would help us out by leading one Sunday, contact Karrie Illner via email. .

Chaplain’s Report – January 2024

We all do this at some level, right? When the new year comes, we make commitments or resolutions to change our life. We resolve to lose weight, to do something new, or any other hope or desire that we have. And, it is well documented now, that many of these resolutions come and go by the time February arrives.

Our renewal as Knights of Columbus is not tied to the change of a calendar, but rather to moments of sacredness Through water and fire, we are claimed by Jesus Christ in our baptism and then are confirmed and sealed in that faith through the Holy Spirit in our confirmation. In marriage, man and woman become one and they are changed. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacred moment to receive God’s forgiveness and absolution, where we are called over and over to be renewed and we recommit to our Gospel way of life. And our sacramental life is fulfilled at the altar of the Lord, where the Eucharist is the renewable sacrament of baptism, where we affirm that Christ is Lord with our reception of the Eucharist and our response of “Amen.”

As your chaplain and brother knight, I want to not only challenge you, but also accompany you in this year to grow in your relationship to Jesus Christ and His Church. The calendar that our worthy Grand Knight John Swan put together has already highlighted a few events that you can attend, but throughout this year, there will be other opportunities to personally enrich your faith. Br. Steve Kropp is committed to working with us at Capuchin Retreat Center to provide a day of pilgrimage to the Solanus Casey Center. During Lent, we will provide a meal and reflection on Wednesday evenings. I am committed to providing accessible opportunities, along with some unique ones, to grow deeper in your faith. This is something we’re called to do as Knights, as Catholics, and as brothers of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t have to be because it’s a new year, it can be just because we need to experience that renewal in ourselves.

At the time of Pentecost, Peter preached to the people about the glory of Jesus Christ and his promise of salvation. The first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles is St. Peter’s evangelization, after being filled with the Holy Spirit.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

With 2024 upon us, and it being another year where we need to remain close to God in the midst of everything that is happening in our world, we have the opportunity to not merely make a resolution but to be moved towards conversion once again. Personally, I am working this year to be more available to offer the sacraments in Arabic. Your goals don’t have to be as lofty, but they should stretch you and mold you into a better Catholic and a better man for the world.

Together, we can bring in the new year by building up the best versions of ourselves, united with Christ.

Sincerely Yours in Christ

Fr. Vito Martinez, OFM Cap.
Director – Capuchin Retreat Center
Chaplain, Council #7018

It’s safe to say, Santa does not disappoint. I think this year was busier than previous years. Thanks to Santa and all the parents who brought their kids. I heard a few ask for puppies… so, prepare for that!

Well, it’s official, we know how to throw a great party.