According to Carmelite tradition, in the year 1251 the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock and gave him a brown scapular to wear as part of the Carmelite habit. A simplified version is used by lay members of the scapular confraternities which is two square pieces of cloth attached with strings, hanging back and front over the shoulders. Today the brown scapular of the Carmelites remains one of the most popular devotions in the Church.