Green Scapular Question

[Maria1212]

Hello,

I hope this is the right place for the post. If not, I hope the moderators will let me know where to post this. Under the Ask an Apologist Forum, I read about the green scapular and followed the link below:

allcatholicbooks.com/mary/scapulargreen.html

Is it supersitious to believe in this? It looks like the website promises a guarantee of sorts, that if we follow the prayer suggestions, our prayers will be answered. I have a friend that is Christian but not Catholic. I have been praying that he will one day find his way to the Catholic Church, but he has a lot of mistrust, bordering on hatred toward the Catholic Church.

I pray for him but wonder if I should try using the green scapular. Thus far, I have been praying straight to God. In the past, I have felt uncomfortable doing Novenas or using things like the green scapular because I felt like it somehow implies that those are more effective than praying “straight to God.” Or that somehow I am “testing God.” I know that is not true, that I am simply asking Mary, and the Saints to join me in praying for my intention, but there is still part of me that feels a little hestitant.

I am wondering if someone can help explain this to me better or help me understand this better. Also, I would be interested in hearing from others who carry the green scapular or use it to pray for someone else.

I hope this post is not too confusing. Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[Melanie01]

Scapulars and holy water etc are sacramentals…they are not mandatory. They are outward physical signs for us creatures of physical matter to use as an aid in our devotions and prayer life.

They in them selves are not magical or anything other than say a piece of material or what have you. Wearing them can be of great comfort to the person.

Having said that…it is without doubt they have been and still are used by the ignorant as talismans etc.

 

[Hesychios]

Is it supersitious to believe in this?

Sometimes people think of these things as having magical powers, don’t fall into that trap.

It looks like the website promises a guarantee of sorts, that if we follow the prayer suggestions, our prayers will be answered.

Unfortunately there are a lot of such claims. The origin of these things is private revelation, which no one is required to accept. What I am trying to say is that if you are free to discard or ignore the revelation, that means it might not have actually happened. If it did not (perhaps) actually happen the guarantee is useless.

One thing I can pretty much guarantee, if you send for one you will wind up on someone’s mailing list.

I have a friend that is Christian but not Catholic. I have been praying that he will one day find his way to the Catholic Church, but he has a lot of mistrust, bordering on hatred toward the Catholic Church.

I pray for him

Keep praying for your friend, and leave it to the Holy Spirit.

I think the best way to open someones eyes is to set a good example. Live the Faith, be morally upright and remember the Beatitudes. You may need to do this just to counter the bad impression some other Catholics have given. Be someone worth emulating.

Saint Francis reputedly said “preach the Gospel, if necessary use words”. That about sums it up for me.

 

[Sir_Knight]

In the past, I have felt uncomfortable doing Novenas or using things like the green scapular because I felt like it somehow implies that those are more effective than praying “straight to God.” Or that somehow I am “testing God.” I know that is not true, that I am simply asking Mary, and the Saints to join me in praying for my intention, but there is still part of me that feels a little hestitant

Pious prayers & novenas made to God through the Saints are usuually answered. However, they are usually not granted in a way or time that we might expect.

 

[Maria1212]

Thanks for all of the responses. I really appreciate it!! Part of me felt uncomfortable with the “guarantees and promises” made on some of the websites advocating green scapulars and the like. I am a cradle Catholic and I have sometimes seen prayers to the saints and other icons be used mistakenly in somewhat of a superstitious way, so I guess that helps explains my reluctance.

The person I am praying for is no longer in my life (that was my decision, made for the right reasons). And we do not live in the same location. So the best thing, and most important thing I can do is pray from afar.

I guess things like the green scapular can help keep people focused when it comes to prayer, and serve as a reminder to pray. (like a visual prayer tool). But it is good to be assured that praying the “old fashioned way” works just as well.

I appreciate everyone`s response. If anyone feels the green scapular or similar item has really helped them stay focused/centered on their prayer intention, please let me know.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Maria1212

 

[Sir_Knight]

Part of me felt uncomfortable with the “guarantees and promises” made on some of the websites advocating green scapulars and the like. I am a cradle Catholic and I have sometimes seen prayers to the saints and other icons be used mistakenly in somewhat of a superstitious way, so I guess that helps explains my reluctance

If you VIEW it in a superstitious / magicaly way, then it is indeed offensive to God.

Ask the saints to bring your prayers before God and thrust in His mercy and wisdom to resolve the matter that He knows is best for all concerned not only today for forever.

 

[Maria1212]

If you VIEW it in a superstitious / magicaly way, then it is indeed offensive to God.

Ask the saints to bring your prayers before God and thrust in His mercy and wisdom to resolve the matter that He knows is best for all concerned not only today for forever.

Dear Sir Knight,

Thank you for your reply. I am comfortable praying to the Saints and to Mary, and do not personally feel any superstition regarding the green scapular. But I felt like the wording on the website was making promises or guarantees, so it was that wording I am uncomfortable with. Does that make sense? I do not mean to imply there is anything wrong with the way it was worded, rather it is the way I personally interpreted it. That is why I wanted to hear what other folks had to say.

I write down who I would like to pray for in a notebook so I remember, especially on days where I am not able to focus as well as I would like to. So carrying the scapular, and using it as a visual reminder to pray for my friend does seem like a good idea. But when I researched it, I felt uncomfortable with the wording because it sounded like a guarantee. And I know what I want is God`s will, even if that means my prayer will not be answered in the way I hope.

I hope that makes sense. I really appreciate your reply, and the replies of the other posters.

Sincerely,
Maria1212

 

[Georgess]

Scapular devotions , use of Church approved medals ,and such sacramentals all would be under our trust in God’s Mercy which comes to the faithful in many ways ; when the faith of many were threatend were the very times when these special blessings were granted ,and they can continue to be of help to those who can accept them with humility - that God can use all these means ( and that type of humility , in the ways of God and His Church is good part of conversion )

Hope that any who would promote mistrust in them out of greenish envy ,willful ignorance or pride of pretended superior knowledge above that of The Church would also be converted !

 

[Andruschak]

Scapulars and holy water etc are sacramentals…they are not mandatory. They are outward physical signs for us creatures of physical matter to use as an aid in our devotions and prayer life.

They in them selves are not magical or anything other than say a piece of material or what have you. Wearing them can be of great comfort to the person.

Still, I did put on the green scapular, said the prayer every day, and am now in RCIA…

But yes, I regard my green and brown scapulars simply as a reminder of my dedication the BVM, as a way of reminding myself to ask her for help. As an outward sign of my inner hopes.

If I have a few minutes of nothing else to do, the Green Scapular prayer seems to be a good way to fill my mind. :yup:

 

[littleone]

Hello,

I hope this is the right place for the post. If not, I hope the moderators will let me know where to post this. Under the Ask an Apologist Forum, I read about the green scapular and followed the link below:

allcatholicbooks.com/mary/scapulargreen.html

Is it supersitious to believe in this? It looks like the website promises a guarantee of sorts, that if we follow the prayer suggestions, our prayers will be answered. I have a friend that is Christian but not Catholic. I have been praying that he will one day find his way to the Catholic Church, but he has a lot of mistrust, bordering on hatred toward the Catholic Church.

I pray for him but wonder if I should try using the green scapular. Thus far, I have been praying straight to God. In the past, I have felt uncomfortable doing Novenas or using things like the green scapular because I felt like it somehow implies that those are more effective than praying “straight to God.” Or that somehow I am “testing God.” I know that is not true, that I am simply asking Mary, and the Saints to join me in praying for my intention, but there is still part of me that feels a little hestitant.

I am wondering if someone can help explain this to me better or help me understand this better. Also, I would be interested in hearing from others who carry the green scapular or use it to pray for someone else.

I hope this post is not too confusing. Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

Hi Maria I have had some beautiful responses to the green scapular. One such was where a friend’s uncle was given 5 days to live. I asked my friends wife if she believed if Jesus could heal. She said yes, so I gave her a green scapular and told her (Anglican) not to worry but to let me pray. I prayed and never saw my mate until four weeks latter. I asked how the uncle was and she told me that the Dr’s were confused that the uncle was gaining health and at times was up. One month later I saw my friend and I asked how his uncle was/ He said that the Dr’s don’t know what happened and he now is completely better and back at work. I informed my friend about my prayiing and he didn’t know what to say.
I know though, and so don’t think that either is better than the other. I pray to God but in times have used other means.
God bless
littleone