Salvation comes in small packages — or so many devoted to the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel believe. Last Saturday, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, parishioners from the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Parish in Arlington gathered to receive the brown scapulars — two square-inch pieces of cloth connected by a cord — to wear as a sign of special devotion to Mary.

According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin guaranteed salvation through the scapular to St. Simon Stock in Cambridge, England, on July 16, 1251, by saying "whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire."

Deacon Kevin Fimian, one of the organizers of the event, said that the brown scapular is "armor" — similar to a bulletproof vest. The Blessed Mother "gives her special protection to those who wear the scapular," he said.

Nearly 200 parishioners attended the investiture, which was sponsored by the Legion of Mary and presided over by cathedral Rector Father Robert Rippy.

"This is the first time that any rector has done this and I am thrilled," said Susan Collins, who attended the ceremony with her husband, Chris. Susan converted to the Church in 2002 and brought her husband back to the faith with her.

The scapular "is just another way to the salvation He’s given us," added Pam Marino, a parishioner at the cathedral. "It is wonderful that He will woo us through His mother in so many different avenues in order to accept that salvation. Our blessed mother is right there getting us where we need to go."

Audrey Green and her fiancé Matt Zimmermann, who are getting married in September, were also present. Green said she wanted to be "on the same page" spiritually with Zimmermann before they got married.

"I believe in the Lady’s protection and this is another way she leads us to heaven," Green said, adding that she had already been invested for "a long time."

In an effort to involve the younger members of the parish in the day’s activities, Father Rippy and Deacon Fimian developed a Scapular Promise Tournament, a morning full of basketball and volleyball. Younger youths braved the 90-degree weather and heat-absorbing asphalt, and swarmed the church parking lot after the ceremony in anticipation of the sporting events. Meanwhile, teens grabbed sponges from soapy buckets and began wiping down wheels and car windows in an effort to raise funds for the youth office’s trip to Cologne, Germany, for World Youth Day next month. The combination of efforts earned the group nearly $400 in funds for the trip.