The Christian life and apostolate should flow from an intimate union with God as the fruit of a holy and healthy interior life. Charity is the source and the form of true virtue and holiness, and true virtue and holiness do not consist in external acts alone but in the interior disposition or habitus ("habit") within one’s soul, and the quality and measure of love that motivates one’s actions. “The habit makes the monk.” “The monk makes the habit.”
A. DIGNIFIED & MODEST ATTIRE
As an external sign of this “inner habit”, the normative dress of Transitus Oblates is to be dignified and modest attire that reflects the dress of one whose heart is not on earthly vanities but whose home is in heaven; yet dress that is properly coordinated and groomed, in accord with one’s culture and current with the times--as one in the world but not of it--clothing that may be beautiful and stylish yet simple and functional, appropriate for the fulfilling of one’s duties according to their occupation and station in life, and in solidarity with the poor and working class. The traditional habit (i.e. tunic) is not to be worn.
For women, feminine high-neckline modest-fitting tops with dresses or skirts (below the knee) are strongly encouraged, except to perform certain activities that necessitate otherwise, i.e., use common sense. “Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves.”
The chapel veil (mantilla) is to be worn by all female members--Catholic and non-Catholic--in all Catholic churches and during all public liturgical functions where it is appropriate, especially where Christ in present in the Holy Eucharist.
B. THE BROWN SCAPULARJust as the stole is the special sign of the priest, the scapular (as a part of the full religious habit), is the sign of the monastic. The scapular is called the “garment of salvation” although it is humble in its appearance. The scapular is worn by many various religious orders and was originally worn as an apron to protect the tunic when working. The scapular was the least important garment of the habit as it was a garment of work, a garment of a slave.
The scapular worn by layman is a smaller modified version of the scapular worn by consecrated religious (monks, friars, canons, and nuns). The scapular is two rectangular pieces of wool fabric, held by string, that hang down the front and back of the oblate. The scapular is normally worn under one’s clothing, and it is never to be taken off (even when bathing).
In wearing the holy scapular, Transitus Oblates are reminded, “Just as you once offered the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater disobedience, so now, in the same way, you must offer the parts of your body as slaves to righteousness that leads to sanctification. In doing so, Oblates entrust themselves to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary--the “Handmaid of the Lord”--and to the service of her son Jesus, in imitation of Him who--though He was God--emptied himself (kenosis) and took the form of a slave.”
A blessed scapular will be given to all new members who purchase one advance. Members are encouraged to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16th) with great solemnity and joy in thanksgiving to Our Lady for her motherly protection and example of Christian discipleship. Catholic members are encouraged to be formally enrolled by a priest into the Brown Scapular Confraternity if they have not already done so.
C. SAN DAMIANO CRUCIFIX ICON NECKLACEThe San Damiano Crucifix is the Byzantine icon through which Jesus spoke to St. Francis of Assisi saying, “Francis, rebuild My Church, as you see it is falling to ruins.” It is a symbol for all Christians who dedicate themselves to the work of renewing the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ. A blessed San Damiano Crucifix necklace will be given to all new members who purchase one in advance. Transitus Oblates, in wearing the San Damiano Crucifix, are reminded of their calling to “rebuild the Church”; namely by being the Church––the “living stones” of God’s house.
D. ROSARYThe Rosary (“Garland or Crown of Roses”) is a certain form of prayer wherein one recalls successively in pious meditation the mysteries of our Redemption found in the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, lived in union His Blessed Mother, Mary the Theotokos. Each time we say a “Hail Mary” we are giving the Blessed Virgin Mary a beautiful rose, and that each complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses. The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all popular devotions and it is therefore the most important one. The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. Thus it has been called “a compendium of the Gospel.”
Tradition affirms that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), in the 13th Century to preach the Rosary among the people as an antidote to heresy and sin. This blessed formula of prayer unites to the repetition of the Angelic Salutation (“Hail Mary”), the Lord's Prayer (“Our Father”), and the Minor Doxology (“Glory Be”) as a devout commemoration of the principal events and mysteries of our Redemption. In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal, and taught them to add the prayer “O my Jesus...” at the end of each decade of the Rosary after the “Glory Be”.
The traditional 15 Mysteries of the Rosary were standardized, based on the long-standing custom, by Pope St. Pius V in the 16th century. The mysteries are grouped into three sets of fifty Hail Mary’s: the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries, which correspond to the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries of Christ's life, death, and Resurrection. The Rosary is also called “The Psalter of Mary” as the 150 Hail Mary's also mirror the 150 Psalms in the Breviary for praying the Divine Office. Innumerable benefits have been conferred on mankind through the Rosary. “Whatever you ask through the Rosary shall be granted.” – Promise of Our Lady to St. Dominic
There are other rosaries and chaplets as well: The Franciscan Crown Rosary, The Mysteries of Light or Luminous Mysteries of Pope John Paul II, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Chaplet of the Seven Dolors of Our Lady, etc.
E. MIRACULOUS MEDAL [OPTIONAL]Oblates who have added to the Act of Consecration of Transitus Oblates of the Last Martyrdom to the Immaculate Heart of Mary [first offered May 13, 2010] the optional personal Act of Consecration to the Immaculata by St. Maximilian Kolbe are eligible to receive a blessed Miraculous Medal after purchasing one. All members must first fill out the online form commemorating the date of their Act of Consecration. The Act of Consecration can be offered at any time during the year though it is preferred in the month of May, and to be renewed each year during the month dedicated to Our Lady. If a member seeks to be officially enrolled into the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) they should seek a congregation in which to do so.
F. JESUS PRAYER ROPE [OPTIONAL]Oblates may also carry or wear (usually on the wrist) the optional Jesus Prayer rope, or they may use their rosary or simply pray this ancient “prayer of the heart” with their lips or silently within the hermitage of their soul. Through the Jesus Prayer, Oblates fulfill the command to “pray without ceasing,” and like the blind Bartimaeus who received his sight, and the publican who (unlike the Pharisee) went home justified, they are enabled to be enraptured by God’s Divine Merciful Love and be saved. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
