Deacons and Scapular Enrollment

[Mattapoisett64]

I’ve read conflicting information as to whether deacons can conduct the enrollment ceremony and blessing for the brown scapular – some sites seem to say it has to be done by a priest, other things say a deacon can also perform the ritual. Would be interested in anyone’s information on this.

 

[Scottgun]

I’ve read conflicting information as to whether deacons can conduct the enrollment ceremony and blessing for the brown scapular – some sites seem to say it has to be done by a priest, other things say a deacon can also perform the ritual. Would be interested in anyone’s information on this.

I pm’ed Della who has knowledge in this area. My uninformed guess is that because it is a sacramental and not a sacrament, a deacon may do it.

Scott

 

[Della]

I’m afraid I don’t know, either. As a Lay Carmelite, the conferral of the scapular is of the ceremonial one we receive when we are received into the Carmelite Order. My guess would be that in order for the blessing to be given to a person receiving the small scapular, whoever does the ceremony would have to have the authority to confer the blessing. So, if deacons have that authority, then they can bless the scapular. If not, then I assume they wouldn’t. I’d suggest you ask your priest or deacon about it for clarification, if we don’t hear from one of our deacons or priests on the forum.

 

[palmas85]

A Priest or Bishop is to do the blessing and enrollments into the scapulars.

Some scapulars are particular to certain religious orders such as the Black Scapular of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin (Servite) and the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception (Theatines) and can be very difficult to get except through them. For those types of Scapulars a special enrollment is needed by the order itself or by a Priest who has been granted that authority by the order.

For others such as the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, it is necessary to get it blessed by a Priest and go through an enrollment into the Scapular by a Priest who has the authority to do it. With the Brown Scapular any Priest has that ability The Blessing is usually conferred at the ame time as the enrollment. Many Parishes have this enrollment once or twice a year. You can also get a scapular, take it to the Priest, get it blessed and ask to be enolled…

Other scapulars require only that they be blessed by a Priest prior to wearing and have no special enrollment at all.

For those who have more than one devotion or can’t decide which scapular they want or just want to cover all the bases there is the five fold scapular which consists of five scapulars linked together. For this scapular any priest has the authority to enroll or invest the wearer.

Many scapulars come with indulgences attached but these all require that the wearer comply with certain rules for prayer and behavior peculiar to that scapular. Some don’t however and are merely devotional aids.

With most scapulars it is not necessary to have a new one blessed when an old one wears out. The blessing that was initially received will suffice as long as the wearer is in compliance with the norms of the particular scapular being worn…

With some scapulars when the original wears out it is acceptable to wear a medal which represents the scapular. With others it isn’t. When they become old and unwearable, you can either save them or dispose of them by burning or burying. ** DO NOT THROW AWAY IN THE TRASH**:tsktsk:

Also, the wool side is supposed to be worn next to the skin.

 

[John_Lilburne]

According to the Book of Blessings, in the introduction to the “Order for the Blessing and Conferral of a Scapular”:

"1488 The blessing and conferral of a scapular should, if at all possible, be carried out in a communal celebration. Whenever the conferral is a way of receiving member of the faithful into a confraternity of a religious order or institute, this reception must be carried out by a member of that institute or else by a minister deputed by the competent authority of that institute. …

“1490 Whenever a person joins a confraternity in order to share spiritually in the life of a religious institute, the particular norms established by each institute must be respected and followed exactly.”

The ceremony ends with a blessing “And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit”. This is the only indication I have found in the ceremony that the minister is to be ordained. He is simply referred to as “the celebrant”.

So I think he could be a bishop, priest or deacon.