With Stethoscope and Scapular –by Jacqueline Galloway

With Stethoscope And Scapular –by Jacqueline Galloway

Feature Article

“With Stethoscope and Scapular”One Doctor’s Prescription …True Story–by Jacqueline Galloway

Doctor Joseph C. Evers, a Pediatrician in McLean, Virginia, for some forty years, is a devoted Roman Catholic with particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He wears her Brown Scapular as an outward sign of his formal dedication and surrender. Additionally, Dr. Evers has undertaken the holy mission of spreading devotion to the Blessed Mother by visiting Catholic parishes and schools, giving presentations to literally thousands of God’s hungering children and adults over the past thirty years, telling them about Mary’s treasures: the Rosary, the Scapular, and the Act of Consecration.

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary gained international prominence through the Fatima apparitions of 1917, with the full approval of the Church.

In obedience to his pledge to spread devotion, Dr. Evers reiterates the Blessed Mother’s plea for the daily Rosary, penance and sacrifice, stressing in particular the significance of wearing the Brown Scapular and thereby obtaining its promise: “Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”

Dr. Evers’ daily personal recitation of the Rosary often takes place in the solitude of the university hospital’s small chapel. The chapel is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

There was an occasion many years ago in the late evening quiet of the hospital chapel, in the gentle glow of candlelight, Dr. Evers noticed a young man with the traditional whites of a fourth-year medical student, clipboard under his arm, standing somewhat transfixed before the statue of the Blessed Mother. After some time, he reverently genuflected before the tabernacle and left the chapel.

Almost at the same time, Dr. Evers also left, and the two met once again just outside the chapel. The young student rather innocently remarked, “Isn’t she wonderful?” as he extended his hand saying, “Hi my name is Jim McCarthy.” Dr. Evers perceived his grip to be that of strength and character, and replied, “Nice to meet you, Jim; my name’s Joe Evers. Do you come here often?” “No I usually go to the chapel in the medical school or to my parish, Our Lady of Victory,” he answered; “but I must say, I really like this chapel, especially since the Blessed Mother has been in my corner for as long as I can remember.”

Jim’s eyes sparkled as the two discussed the serene beauty of the statue in the chapel. Dr. Joe then recalled that he was scheduled to give a talk on the Fatima apparitions in Jim’s parish in just two months, so he invited him to come to the presentation. There was a feeling of warmth as Dr. Joe described it later. He recalls experiencing a special feeling of peace that lingered long after parting with the young student.

The two months passed and Dr. Joe arrived as scheduled at Our Lady of Victory to give his presentation. On leaving, he was pleasantly surprised to see Jim McCarthy and quickly tried to remember if he had seen his face in the audience of some 50 parishioners. He was quickly reassured when Jim said, “Dr. Evers, I enjoyed your talk.” “Thanks Jim, glad you could make it.”

Jim continued, “For some reason which I can’t quite understand, this is the first time I’ve ever heard about the Brown Scapular and its promise. It’s fantastic. Why don’t people talk about it more?”

“I wish I could answer that one Jim; it’s a mystery to me. Here, I have an extra one.” Jim’s face glowed as he thanked the doctor.

Dr. Joe continued, “It’s blessed and now any priest can enroll you. In fact, if you are planning to go to Confession this Saturday, why not have the priest enroll you after he hears your Confession?”

“Great idea, thats just what I will do!”

It was almost a month later when Dr. Joe was making pediatric rounds at the university hospital that he recognized Jim’s medical student roommate. He stopped him and inquired how he and Jim were doing. He looked thunderstruck as I asked.

“You must not have heard, doctor, but Jim drowned in a canoeing accident on the river, three weeks ago.”

The young man went on: “I remember how happy he was the night before he died. He had been to Confession that afternoon and the priest had enrolled him in the Scapular that you had given him. He was overjoyed. The very next day he died.”

Tears of sorrow welled in Dr. Joe’s eyes but they were quickly replaced with that of joy as he reflected on the Blessed Mother’s Scapular Promise! He felt secure in the knowledge that young Jim was now in paradise with Jesus and His Blessed Mother.

“Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”

Indeed, what a slight “burden” it is for us to accept this Scapular as a sign of penance for the promise of entrance to the heavenly court.

–Jaqueline Galloway

*Note: This article was first published in “Queen of All Hearts” Magazine, Montfort Missionaries