Editing Carmelites (section)

==Carmelite spirituality==

===Habit and scapular===
[[File:Coustumes - Carmes.png|thumb|left|Calced Carmelite.|alt=]]
[[File:Coustumes - Carmes déchaussés.png|thumb|upright|Discalced Carmelite.|alt=]]
[[File:Coustumes - Carmelites.png|thumb|left|Calced Carmélites.|alt=]]
[[File:Coustumes - Carmelites déchaussées.png|thumb|upright|Discalced Carmelite.|alt=]]

{{Scapulars}}
In 1287, the original way of life of the order was changed to conform to that of the [[mendicant orders]] on the initiative of [[Simon Stock]] and at the command of [[Pope Innocent IV]]. Their former habit of a mantle with black and white or brown and white stripes{{snd}}the black or brown stripes representing the scorches the mantle of Elijah received from the fiery chariot as it fell from his shoulders{{snd}}was discarded. They wore the same habit as the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]], except that the [[cloak]] was white. They also borrowed much from the Dominican and [[Franciscan]] constitutions. Their distinctive garment was a [[scapular]] of two strips of dark cloth, worn on the breast and back, and fastened at the shoulders. Tradition holds that this was given to Simon Stock by the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]], who appeared to him and promised that all who wore it with faith and piety and who died clothed in it would be saved.<ref>{{cite web |website=[[EWTN]] |title=Brown Scapular or Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel |url=http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/brown_scapular.HTM |first1=Colin B. |last1=Donovan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706000907/http://www.ewtn.com:80/expert/answers/brown_scapular.HTM |archive-date= Jul 6, 2019 }}</ref><ref>Matthew Bunson, 2008, ''The Catholic Almanac'', {{ISBN|978-1-59276-441-9}} p. 155</ref><ref>Gerald M. Costello, 2001, ''Treasury of Catholic Stories'', OSV Press, {{ISBN|978-0-87973-979-9}}, p. 128</ref> There arose a [[Sodality (Catholic Church)|sodality]] of the scapular, which affiliated a large number of laymen with the Carmelites.

[[File:Brown scapular showing the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, E Wellcome L0058985.jpg|thumb|left|Brown Scapular.|alt=]]
A miniature version of the Carmelite scapular is popular among Catholics and is one of the most popular [[Catholic devotions|devotions]] in the church. Wearers usually believe that if they faithfully wear the Carmelite scapular (also called "the brown scapular" or simply "the scapular") and die in a state of [[divine grace|grace]], they will be saved from [[hell|eternal torment]]. Catholics who decide to wear the scapular are usually enrolled by a [[Presbyter|priest]], and some choose to enter the Scapular [[Confraternity]]. The Lay Carmelites of the [[Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel]] wear a scapular which is smaller than the shortened scapular worn by some Carmelite religious for sleeping, but still larger than the devotional scapulars.

=== Visions and devotions ===
Among the various Catholic orders, Carmelite nuns have had a proportionally high ratio of [[visions of Jesus and Mary]] and have been responsible for key [[Catholic devotions]].

From the time of her clothing in the Carmelite religious habit (1583) until her death (1607), [[Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi]] is said to have had a series of raptures and ecstasies.
*First, these raptures sometimes seized upon her whole being with such force as to compel her to rapid motion (e.g. towards some sacred object).
*Secondly, she was frequently able, whilst in ecstasy, to carry on working e.g., embroidery, painting, with perfect composure and efficiency.
*Thirdly, during these raptures Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi gave utterance to maxims of Divine Love, and to counsels of perfection for souls. These were preserved by her companions, who (unknown to her) wrote them down.

[[File:Carmelo do Sagrado Coracao de Jesus Beja.JPG|thumb|right|The Carmel of [[Beja, Portugal|Beja]], in [[Portugal]]]]
In the Carmelite convent of [[Beja (Portugal)|Beja]], in [[Portugal]], two Carmelite nuns of the Ancient Observance reported several apparitions and mystical revelations throughout their life: [[Mariana of the Purification]] received numerous apparitions of the [[Child Jesus]] and her body was found [[Incorruptibility|incorrupt]] after her death;<ref>Serpa, J. J. Gonçalves; ''Venerável Madre Mariana da Purificação: Carmelita Calçada de Beja''. Colecção: Almas heróicas de Beja; 230 pp.; Gouveia: 1960.</ref> [[Maria Perpétua da Luz]] wrote 60 books with messages from heaven;<ref>Santa Ana, Frei Joseph Pereira de; ''Vida da Insigne Mestra de Espírito, a Virtuosa Madre Maria Perpétua da Luz, Religiosa Carmelita Calçada''; Lisboa: Oficina de Antonio Pedrozo, 1742.</ref> both religious died with the [[odour of sanctity|odor of sanctity]].

In the 19th century, another Carmelite nun, [[Thérèse of Lisieux]], was instrumental in spreading devotion to the Holy Face<ref>{{cite web |title=Therese and the Holy Face of Jesus | url=http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/the-holy-face-of-jesus/ | last=O’Riordan | first=Maureen|work=Saint Therese of Lisieux}}</ref> throughout France in the 1890s with her many poems and prayers. Eventually [[Pope Pius XII]] approved the devotion in 1958 and declared the Feast of the [[Holy Face of Jesus]] as [[Shrove Tuesday]] (the day before [[Ash Wednesday]]) for all Catholics. Therese of Lisieux emerged as one of the most popular saints for Catholics in the 20th century, and a statue of her can be found in many European and North American Catholic churches built prior to the [[Second Vatican Council]] (after which the number of statues tended to be reduced when churches were built).

In the 20th century, in the last apparition of the [[Our Lady of Fátima|Blessed Virgin Mary]] in [[Fátima, Portugal]], [[Sister Lúcia]], one of the most famous visionaries of Our Lady, said that the Virgin appeared to her as [[Our Lady of Mount Carmel]] (holding the [[Brown Scapular]]). Many years after, Lúcia became a Carmelite nun. When Lúcia was asked in an interview why the Blessed Virgin appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel in her last apparition, she replied: "Because Our Lady wants all to wear the Scapular... The reason for this", she explained, "is that the Scapular is our sign of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary". When asked if the Brown Scapular is as necessary to the fulfillment of Our Lady's requests as the rosary, Lúcia answered: "The [[Rosary and scapular|Scapular and the Rosary]] are inseparable".<ref>Haffert, James Mathias; ''Mary in Her Scapular Promise''. AMI Press, 1954.</ref>

Many Carmelites have been canonized by the Catholic Church as saints. The Feast of All Carmelite Saints is celebrated on 14 November.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://olmc.us/2023/11/10/feast-of-all-carmelite-saints-2/ | title=Feast of All Carmelite Saints | work=OLMC | date=November 10, 2023}}</ref> The Commemoration of All the Departed of the Carmelite Order occurs on 15 November.