The Carmelite Habit
The brown habit and scapular, white mantle and black veil of Carmel, the order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Carmelites began as hermits on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, and took Our Lady as their patron.
The scapular. Over the brown habit hangs the scapular, a long band of cloth over the shoulders, front and back. By tradition Our Lady gave it to St Simon Stock in 1251. The small brown scapular many Catholics wear around the neck is a miniature of it.
The white mantle. For great feasts Carmelites wear a white cloak over the habit. In medieval England they were called the White Friars.
St Thérèse. She wears the brown habit, white mantle and black veil of a Carmelite nun. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is often shown in the same colours, holding the scapular.
Where you’ll see it
Habits and colours
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A statue with the Carmelite habit?
Every statue is made from scratch in our studio in Mangalore.