Can somebody explain scapulars to me?

[SenorSalsa]

I have heard some things about them, and am interested in getting one. However, i am kind of confused on some main points:

First off, where can i get a list of common scapulars and thier meanings

Secondly, how do i go about getting a scapular

Thirdly, from what ive seen various places, it sounds like the scapular somehow needs to be blessed or conferred on me, is this wrong, if no, what does this mean?

 

[BenFischer]

I have heard some things about them, and am interested in getting one. However, i am kind of confused on some main points:

First off, where can i get a list of common scapulars and thier meanings

Secondly, how do i go about getting a scapular

Thirdly, from what ive seen various places, it sounds like the scapular somehow needs to be blessed or conferred on me, is this wrong, if no, what does this mean?

Here are some links:
newadvent.org/cathen/13508b.htm

campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq/yq78.html

Scapulars typically are modeled after some religious habit, I think. So a Brown scapular might be a miniature version of the Caremilte habit, or at least the same color. The Brown Scapular is probably the most common.

Scapulars do need to be blessed, and in some cases, that blessing involves entering the person who wears a scapular into a scapular society. The blessing goes on the PERSON, though, not the scapular. Since scapulars are made of cloth, they tend to wear out. When you need to get a new scapular, you don’t have to have it blessed, the blessing transfers when you put the new one on. But even though the blessing is on the person, you still have to wearing the scapular to get the indulgences. For instance, our Lady gave the Brown Scapular to St. Simon Stock with the promise that anyone who wore it faithfully would be delivered from Purgatory by the Saturday after his or her death.

If you have a Catholic bookstore in your area, they would almost certainly sell scapulars. Every once in a while I’ll come across a web page that gives them away. For instance:
willingshepherds.com/Free%20sacramentals.htm

Since scapulars do wear out, you also will occasionally see a scapular medal, which would be more durable.

 

[HashemEchad]

I have heard some things about them, and am interested in getting one. However, i am kind of confused on some main points:

First off, where can i get a list of common scapulars and thier meanings

Secondly, how do i go about getting a scapular

Thirdly, from what ive seen various places, it sounds like the scapular somehow needs to be blessed or conferred on me, is this wrong, if no, what does this mean?

I believe it was Simon Stock to whom it was said by a Mary apparition that, “Whoever dies clothed in this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire”. This is why religious Catholics try to wear one all the time, in case they die.

I have a green scapular which I found among my late uncle’s possessions after he died, if you’d like I can send it to you (I have no use for it.) I think the green one is for people who are sick (he died of heart trouble, which might explain it), and for conversions.

 

[jkarp]

Scapulars typically are modeled after some religious habit, I think. So a Brown scapular might be a miniature version of the Caremilte habit, or at least the same color. The Brown Scapular is probably the most common.

You are correct. In fact, scapulars are a part of many types of habit. It is derived from the work apron worn many (many) years ago. One of the earliest mentions of the scapular is in the Rule of St. Benedict:

“We believe, however, that for a temperate climate a cowl and a tunic for each monk are sufficient,—a woolen cowl for winter and a thin or worn one for summer, and a scapular for work, and stockings and shoes as covering for the feet.” (Chapter 55)

The color of the scapular will vary with the habit. Brown is the most commonly worn by lay persons because it was the color of the scapular given to St. Simon Stock by the Blessed Mother (as you noted). I believe the Carmelites wear brown for this reason (though in this, I could be wrong). Other common colors of devotional scapulars include green (the Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) and red (the Scapular of the Passion).

 

[jkarp]

I believe it was Simon Stock to whom it was said by a Mary apparition that, “Whoever dies clothed in this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire”. This is why religious Catholics try to wear one all the time, in case they die.

I have a green scapular which I found among my late uncle’s possessions after he died, if you’d like I can send it to you (I have no use for it.) I think the green one is for people who are sick (he died of heart trouble, which might explain it), and for conversions.

The green scapular is the Scapular of the Immaculate Heart and is for anyone, not just specifically those who are sick. Our Lady made the promise, “to come to the assistance of any person who uses it as an act of love for me and I shall bless all hearts on earth who spread devotion to my Green Scapular.” The only prayer necessary, which should be said at least once a day, is: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.” The green scapular was approved twice by Pope Pius IX (1863 & 1870).

 

[SenorSalsa]

does anyone know of a fairly comprehensive list of the various scapulars and the promises that come with them? i have found the Brown and Green fairly easily, but the others i can never really find what promises come with them

also, what responsibilities come with them, are there prayers that need to be said?

will my priest know the prayers he needs for each scapular, so that i can be enrolled?

 

[jkarp]

does anyone know of a fairly comprehensive list of the various scapulars and the promises that come with them? i have found the Brown and Green fairly easily, but the others i can never really find what promises come with them

also, what responsibilities come with them, are there prayers that need to be said?

will my priest know the prayers he needs for each scapular, so that i can be enrolled?

There is no “enrollment” for most of the common devotional scapulars. The only ones that will require an enrollment are the scapulars that are granted as a member of a religious order. Also, it is not necessary to have a priest bless a scapular in order to receive the promised graces.

The brown scapular includes the privilige that the wearer will not suffer eternal fire. The only requirement for this is that one faithfully wear the scapular. There is also a Sabbatine Privilige associated with the brown scapular that states that the Blessed Virgin will continue her intercession for the wearer, even after death and deliver one from purgatory on the Saturday following one’s death. The additional requirements for this is that the wearer observe chastity according to one’s state in life and pray the divine Office daily.

The green scapular includes the privilege that one will not die without the chance to receive Last Rites (just as with the brown). The only requirement for this is that the wearer pray (at least daily), “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”

The red scapular includes the privilege that one will receive an increase of faith, hope, and charity every Friday. Again, the only requirement is the faithful wearing of the scapular.

There are other common scapulars: blue, black, white, etc.

The Blessed Virgin Mary has promised that whoever wore the blue scapular would be under her special protection and receive special graces through her maternal intercession.

The black scapular or Scapular of the Seven Dolors of Mary includes the privilege that the wearer will recieve Our Lady of Sorrows’ special protection at the our of their death. The requirement for this is meditation upon her seven dolors (sorrows).

The Brown, Black, Blue, Red, and White Scapulars have been combined into what is known as the Fivefold Scapular.

Some resources:
fisheaters.com/scapulars.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapular
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fivefold_Scapular
memorare.com/mary/scapulargreen.html
catholictradition.org/Mary/mary-index.htm (tough to navigate but good information)

 

[BenFischer]

There is no “enrollment” for most of the common devotional scapulars. The only ones that will require an enrollment are the scapulars that are granted as a member of a religious order. Also, it is not necessary to have a priest bless a scapular in order to receive the promised graces.

That’s good info about the enrollment and blessing. I didn’t know that. Also, it explains something else that I’d heard: that you can only be enrolled for a single scapular. If you’re actually enrolling as a 3rd order religious, that makes sense.

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

I have heard some things about them, and am interested in getting one. However, i am kind of confused on some main points:

First off, where can i get a list of common scapulars and thier meanings

Secondly, how do i go about getting a scapular

Thirdly, from what ive seen various places, it sounds like the scapular somehow needs to be blessed or conferred on me, is this wrong, if no, what does this mean?

A lot of very useful information in answer to your questions is available on this website:

fisheaters.com/scapulars.html

 

[holdencaulfield]

This is a good link:

Scapulars

 

[SenorSalsa]

so, if i get the five-fold scapular, what does the priest have to do, just bless it as a sacremental, or what?

 

[holdencaulfield]

so, if i get the five-fold scapular, what does the priest have to do, just bless it as a sacremental, or what?

Yes, if you read the article, it also appears that you have to enter into the particular Order that you get a Scapular for, for example Brown would be the Carmelites. You also as well get a Partial Indulgence for wearing one. However the rules for Scapulars are strict, be sure you know what you are doing before you get into it. They pretty much are required to be worn all the time. After a certain time you can get a Scapular Medal, however still you I think are required to wear it.

 

[SenorSalsa]

Yes, if you read the article, it also appears that you have to enter into the particular Order that you get a Scapular for, for example Brown would be the Carmelites. You also as well get a Partial Indulgence for wearing one. However the rules for Scapulars are strict, be sure you know what you are doing before you get into it. They pretty much are required to be worn all the time. After a certain time you can get a Scapular Medal, however still you I think are required to wear it.

right, but i was looking for specifics, for instance, one of the scapulars in the fivefold is the brown scapular, which requires enrolment of the confranternity of our lady of mount carmel.

but the fivefold just says any priest can invest it, does that mean i dont need to enroll for each of the five individuals, and just for the fivefold as a whole?

 

[holdencaulfield]

Yes it looks like any priest can enroll you in a Scapular.

 

[SenorSalsa]

what are the chances my priest has the prayers needed to invest me with the fivefold?

 

[BenFischer]

what are the chances my priest has the prayers needed to invest me with the fivefold?

Best way to find out is to ask. This link seems to have the prayer, so you could always print it out and take it with you.

 

[jkarp]

what are the chances my priest has the prayers needed to invest me with the fivefold?

Unless you are considering joining a religious order, i.e. the Benedictines, Carmelites, etc. **there is no “enrollment” to wear a devotional scapular. **Go to your nearest Catholic bookstore and ask for a brown or green scapular; they cost like $0.18 (American). If there is no bookstore near you, there are a ton of websites online:
www.gerkens.com
www.catholic.org/bookstore
shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/shophome.html?E+scstore
etc.

 

[SenorSalsa]

Unless you are considering joining a religious order, i.e. the Benedictines, Carmelites, etc. **there is no “enrollment” to wear a devotional scapular. **Go to your nearest Catholic bookstore and ask for a brown or green scapular; they cost like $0.18 (American). If there is no bookstore near you, there are a ton of websites online:

not to shoot you down, but from what most sites say the brown scapular requires enrollment into the scapular confranternity. Do you have any source that says otherwise?

 

[holdencaulfield]

not to shoot you down, but from what most sites say the brown scapular requires enrollment into the scapular confranternity. Do you have any source that says otherwise?

I agree everything that I have read says they need an enrollment. This is one of the reasons you get a Partial Indulgence for wearing them, because they have strict rules.

 

[jkarp]

not to shoot you down, but from what most sites say the brown scapular requires enrollment into the scapular confranternity. Do you have any source that says otherwise?

OK, thanks for pushing me to continue to research this, here’s what I found:
A person should be “invested” to receive the special graces promised by Our Lady. This is an act of consecration to the Blessed Virgin. There are no lists to join or sign or any formal “enrollment” processes. According to EWTN, the form of investiture is: a priest holds the scapular above his head and recites with the person a Marian prayer (Hail Mary, Memorarae, etc.)

According to Colin B. Donovan, STL, from EWTN’s website:

ewtn.com/expert/answers/brown_scapular.htm

Conferral with the scapular indicates a special devotion and consecration to Mary. No one should undertake it who is not spiritual prepared to live in accordance with it.

The short form of investing or conferral consists of a priest or deacon taking a blessed scapular and while placing it over their head reciting with the person any Marian prayer (e.g. Hail Mary, Memorare, Salve Regina). The person is now invested. They don’t have any lists to join, though they are henceforth members of the Scapular Confraternity and share in its spiritual benefits (the prayers of the members). No special daily practices are obliged, though someone consecrated to Mary, of which the scapular is THE sign, should live chastity according to their state and recite the rosary daily.

There is also a long form in the Book of Blessings*,*** chapter 46, which is very fitting for group investments. Every parish should have this ritual book.

For some years the Carmelite Order had permission from Rome to grant laity the Indult to enroll people. This permission is no longer given, but those who received the Indult in the past still have it. So, while laity may not bless a scapular, there are some lay people who can invest others, with a scapular previously blessed by a priest or deacon.

One final note, investing MUST be done with the cloth scapular. Those who wish to wear the medal can do so after investment. The scapular blessing attaches to each subsequent scapular. A new blessing is NOT required. This is not true of the medal, each of which must be blessed by a priest or deacon.