Dominican Scapular

[Fauken]

Is it permissible for laity who are not Third Order Dominicans to wear the white scapular of the Order? If not, what other ways are there to signify a devotion/appreciation for Dominican spirituality?

 

[jrecortel]

not sure whether it’s ok to wear the Dominican scapular if your not a Dominican but if you want to participate in spirituality of Dominicans, pray the Holy Rosary.
(BTW, I’m a lay Dominican)

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Is it permissible for laity who are not Third Order Dominicans to wear the white scapular of the Order? If not, what other ways are there to signify a devotion/appreciation for Dominican spirituality?

This is a bit of an atypical request but I am intrigued by it. When I was young and before I went to seminary, I made a study of all the scapulars that were approved. I actually managed to find all of them save one. I was greatly helped by an American Priest, whose name was Father Stephen Breen, God rest his soul. He died some number of years ago. He wrote a book in English which I received as a gift…“Treasure Wrapped in Cloth”. It was an anthology on the scapulars.

That was the disposition in the 50s. I would go on to teach liturgy and sacraments and my students would get research projects even on sacramentals so I am not completely detachment from all that. So let’s start together, shall we?

You should start with this article: newadvent.org/cathen/13508b.htm

The scapular was given, a pious custom says, by Our Lady to Blessed Reginald of Orleans. It completed the Dominican habit. It is worn by the friars of the First Order, the nuns of the Second Order, the active Religious of the Third Order Regular and the laity who belong to the Third Order Secular. Perhaps you might like to think about considering joining the Dominican laity – members are young and old, married and single. You might find it enriching. As part of the process, you would be invested with the Dominican scapular. It is something to think about. Here is a website, assuming you’re in the United States. If you’re in Europe, let me know and I will give a different link.

laydominicans.org/prayer/

Unlike so many other scapulars…the Brown Scapular (Carmelite), the White Scapular of the Trinity (Trinitarian), the Black Scapular of Our Lady of Sorrow (Servites), the Black Scapular of the Passion (Passionist), the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception (Theatine), the Dominican Scapular has not been one typically worn beyond the third order secular (Outside the family, as it were)…but it has been allowed, as the article I gave you shows. (This is also true of the Norbertine Scapular.)

On the one hand, you could simply wear it privately, asking a priest to give it a simple blessing as an act of devotion.

Also, on the other hand, you could ask to be invested with it using the general formula in the Book of Blessings, since it is an approved scapular. In fact, the new Book of Blessings has one ceremony of investiture which can be used for any approved scapular, so theoretically you could even be invested with this scapular.

This investiture, I must clarify, is different from the one for admission to the Dominican laity/Third Order Secular.

Other devotional scapulars have been more widely available and distributed to non members of the Dominicans extended family to use, in a manner of speaking. The Brown Scapular of Carmel for example is extended far and wide in a way the Dominican Scapular never has. It is a sign of consecration to Mary’s Heart.

I would suggest speaking with a Dominican friar about all of this and your desire, since it is an extraordinary thing and it should take place with their awareness because this is a cherished part of their habit and their self-identity and self-understanding; he could offer his guidance. These provisions and permissions also do change and you should be in touch with someone who is current on the dispositions.

Many Dominican laity will substitute a medal of Saint Dominic for the wearing of the scapular and you could certainly do this…wear a medal of Saint Dominic.

Obviously, the rosary is a Dominican devotion and so having on your person a blessed rosary would be a good thing and an expression of your devotion…and hopefully use it regularly to pray the rosary…

Finally, there is a devotion called the Angelic Warfare Confraternity. It’s inspiration was the miraculous intervention of Heaven to protect the chastity of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Members wear a blessed cord about their waist – or they may substitute a medal of Saint Thomas. This also might be interest to you.

angelicwarfareconfraternity.org/

I hope these pious practices help you grow in the spirituality and the patrimony of the Dominicans. They are a very special religious family indeed and would help you to grow spiritually and intellectually and devotionally. May God bless you!

 

[Fauken]

…

Goodness! Thank you very much for the links! I’m asking this question because for one, there is no Dominican Third Order near me (as far as I’m aware), and also because I think I’m in the beginning of the discernment for it. I was thinking of wearing the scapular as a devotion and then handing it over for the investiture, if it happens.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Goodness! Thank you very much for the links! I’m asking this question because for one, there is no Dominican Third Order near me (as far as I’m aware), and also because I think I’m in the beginning of the discernment for it. I was thinking of wearing the scapular as a devotion and then handing it over for the investiture, if it happens.

Unfortunately, from my perspective, various third orders have moved away from the possibility of isolated members. While the position is understandable and can be justified, it can also penalise those who, through no fault of their own, are not able to attend the various meetings either because of where they live or the circumstances of their life.

I hope you are able to find someone with whom you may dialogue about this. It can happen that there is a group of Dominican laity even in places where there are no (longer) friars. Also, the monasteries of nuns will also sponsor chapters of the third order.

Here is contact info. There are four provinces of the Third Order in the United States. I also included information for Canada.

laydominicans.org/ (East Coast Province)
laydominicancentral.org/ (Midwest Province)
laydomsouth.org/ (Southern Province)
oplaitywest.org/ (West Coast Province)
dominicans.ca/Links/Categories/laity.html (Canada)

 

[Lormar]

Don Ruggero, I remember Father Breen. ( That tells you how ancient I am. )He used to write very inspiring articles. Sometimes I see them reprinted here and there.

 

[Fauken]

I see. It seems like I’ll be waiting then, which is not a bad thing. More time to read and think!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I see. It seems like I’ll be waiting then, which is not a bad thing. More time to read and think!

Contact them nevertheless. There are exceptions that can be made, based on circumstance. The answer can’t be yes if you don’t ask the question.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Don Ruggero, I remember Father Breen. ( That tells you how ancient I am. )He used to write very inspiring articles. Sometimes I see them reprinted here and there.

He was a remarkable priest. Every time I answer a query on this topic, I bless his memory. All the credit for what I know in this topic is thanks to him.

 

[Fauken]

Contact them nevertheless. There are exceptions that can be made, based on circumstance. The answer can’t be yes if you don’t ask the question.

I sent an email to the Lay Dominicans in my province! I’m very excited! Thank you very much, Father!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I sent an email to the Lay Dominicans in my province! I’m very excited! Thank you very much, Father!

I am excited for you, too. I shall pray that a door opens, if the Lord is calling you to this. May God bless you and may He show you, in every way and in every circumstance, how to know, love and serve Him best in this life so that you may be happy with Him forever in the life to come.

I would be glad, if you have the opportunity, to let us know if the door opens. While I hope it does, there are other possibilities. And also do check out the Angelic Warfare Confraternity.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Don Ruggero, I remember Father Breen. ( That tells you how ancient I am. )He used to write very inspiring articles. Sometimes I see them reprinted here and there.

Being ancient means we have all the more memories to cherish. And the ability to answer questions because we remember what once was.

I had an exchange in this forum over a couple of days on a topic I hadn’t had occasion to speak of since the 70s…and then it was by and large a matter of history that no one subsequently asked me about. I was amazed someone would here. I was able to answer the question because, in fact, I remembered the topic from ancient of days. I was gratified I was able to use that particular knowledge one last time to help someone.

 

[Fauken]

It’s not much of an update, but I thought I’d post something. The discernment still continues and the idea of being a Lay Dominican is still in my mind like a lit candle: steady, but not very bright. Last semester two Domincan sisters visited my university, and while the one I spoke to didn’t know too much about the Lay Order, we did discuss Dominican spirituality and it was like talking to a kindred spirit. I think it’s a positive sign! For now I’ve decided I’ll keep talking it over with my Spiritual Director, keep an open mind, pray, and go talk to a Dominican whenever one happens to be in town.