Are we wearing the Brown Scapular??? It is Important!!!

The well known and renowned Archbishop Polding was once on one of his long missionary journeys which brought him to a region almost destitute of inhabitants, in the interior of Australia. Feeling very ill on his way, he luckily was able to find a hospitable reception in the house of a poor widow who nursed him with every care and kindness. Before leaving, he promised her, in return for her kindness, that he would come and attend her last hours himself and administer the last Sacraments when she would send for him.

Some time after this, one night in autumn, a letter arrived reminding the Archbishop of his promise, stating that the kind widow was near death. Without any hesitation in spite of the rough season, the holy prelate set out to keep his promise. He had to travel some days before reaching his destination and on his arrival, tired and exhausted, he was surprised to find non one at home. While he was musing as to what course was best to pursue, his attention was arrested by a sound, evidently caused by someone occupied in felling trees. He went in the direction of the sound, hoping to come across someone who could give him information and was delighted to find a study Irishman, who told him that the good lady although very ill, fearing that the Archbishop would not be in time, had herself carried elsewhere for spiritual help.

The Archbishop knew it was useless to attempt to overtake her so he sat on the stump of a tree and began to converse with the woodcuttter. After a few remarks, Archbishop Polding said as if by sudden inspiration: "Now, my good friend, although I came here on quite a different mission, I need not waste my journey; do kneel down here and let me hear your Confession.

the Irishman was taken aback and refused, alleging that he was totally unprepared - that it was so long since he confessed and...the usual round of excuses. By degrees, the Archbishop persuaded him that the reasons he had given for not making his Confession were very the reasons why he should do so at once and there probably would not be such an easy chance for him again.


So he knelt down, made his Confession and showed every sign of repentance, promising to receive Holy Communion on the following Sunday.


The Archbishop gave him his blessing and prepared to start on his homeward journey. He heard a crash and groan and found his penitent dead, struck down by a fallen branch.

Merciful indeed was the Good Shepherd, to bring hither, from such a distance, the channels of His Grace and to turn the tide of events in such a way as to cause them to flow where they were most needed. But it was to the compassion of Mary that Arhbishop Poliding ascribed this wonderful, if not miraculous occurence, for he found on the body of the woodcutter the Scapular of Mount Carmel.