September 30th, 2025
For those of you who watched my video, The Brown Scapular Explained by a Secular Carmelite, OCDS, I need to clarify a few things in case of misunderstandings about the Sabbatine Privilege.
This is a complicated, controversial, and sensitive subject. If you have not read my blog or watched my first video on this topic, I highly encourage you to do so; it will provide better context.
The Sabbatine Privilege and the promise of Our Lady regarding wearing the scapular are separate from the Sabbatine Bull. Traditionally, the Sabbatine Privilege was based on a document attributed to Pope John XXII called the Sabbatine Bull. This Bull claims that the Mother of God appeared to Pope John XXII and said that anyone enrolled in the scapular would be delivered from Purgatory on the first Saturday after their death.
In addition, they had to observe chastity according to their state in life and recite the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary every day. The last obligation (reciting the Little Office every day) could be replaced with praying the Holy Rosary or abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
In my video, The Brown Scapular Explained by a Secular Carmelite, OCDS, I mentioned that the obligations or practices of the traditional Bull or Privilege could be replaced today by praying the Holy Rosary.
The clarification is that, if you are following the tradition, you may either pray the Holy Rosary or abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
This beautiful promise has been judged inauthentic based on historical research. John XXII lived in the 14th century, but the document did not appear until the 15th century; there is no trace of it in the Vatican archives, and its style does not match other documents written by John XXII.
After much debate regarding the document’s authenticity, a 1613 decree from the Vatican declared: “The faithful may devoutly believe that the Blessed Virgin by her continuous intercession, merciful prayers, merits and special protection will assist the souls of deceased brothers and members of the confraternity, especially on the Saturday, the day which the Church dedicates to the Blessed Virgin.”
This statement does not mention the Sabbatine Bull or assert its historicity. It also says nothing about release from Purgatory on the first Saturday after death. The decree further stated that Carmelites were not to preach this any longer, and the Church asked them to stop. Therefore, all Carmelites—including those in the Third Order, myself included—must be obedient to the Church’s teachings; this is one of my promises to the Church and to my Order.
With that said, although the traditional Bull or Privilege was not found valid, I encourage everyone to pray the Holy Rosary daily! This was part of Our Lady of Fatima’s message, along with wearing the Brown Scapular. I also highly encourage you to read my blog or watch my video titled How the Five First Saturday Devotion Relates to the Rosary, the Brown Scapular, and the Fatima Message.
I was recently shown a book on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows that discusses the authenticity of the traditional Sabbatine Bull. I will be diving into that book shortly and will pray to the Blessed Mother to guide me on what she wants me to do next on this subject. I encourage you to do the same—and please pray for me, too.
I also encourage you to watch the YouTube video with Father Howard Rafferty, OCD, in which he discusses his interview with Sister Lucia regarding the Brown Scapular.
As a side note: The Blessed Mother revealed to Venerable Dominic of Jesus and Mary, a Carmelite who lived from 1559–1630, “Although many wear my scapular, only a few fulfill conditions for the Sabbatine Privilege.”
For whatever it’s worth, I am a traditionalist and follow the traditional privilege.
In conclusion, let’s heed and focus on Our Lady’s call to holiness, which includes wearing the Brown Scapular every day, praying the Holy Rosary daily, frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and striving to imitate the Blessed Mother’s virtues—while offering daily sacrifices, including fasting—which will certainly please Our Blessed Mother and assist in our salvation.
Until next time, remember the words of Sister Lucia: “The Holy Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.”
Many blessings,
Francine