Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearance to St. Simon Stock in Aylesford, England in 1251. It’s believed that she gifted him with the brown scapular to share with the world. The promise of the brown scapular is that anyone who dies while wearing one will not go to hell. Gus is joined by Steve Kerekes, founder of Scapulars.com, where they manufacture and sell high quality scapular. He talks with Gus about the history of the brown scapular, what wearing one means and his history with them. He was given one when he was in high school and not especially religious and took to wearing it when he went to work on a fishing vessel on the Bering Sea in Alaska during college, which is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. He also explains the different color scapulars and what they signify. He also talks about how the scapular is a sacramental and not a talisman or lucky charm that serves as a “get out of jail free card.” There are conditions that go along with it, such as chastity and the regular recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary.
Afterwards, in honor of the Brown Scapular, Gus invites listeners to call in and share what religious articles they wear and why.
Also, Gus shares a story out of the Philippines where the bishops there have asked the government to outlaw online gambling, which they call a “deep and widespread moral crisis” plaguing this mostly Christian country. The bishops further assert that it’s a new plague “that is destroying individuals, family and society.” Gus goes over the Catholic teaching on gambling and talks about many of its deleterious effects and invites listeners to call in and share their thoughts on gambling.
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