Ok guys and gals, tell me about the scapular

[seek_the_truth]

The title is pretty straight foreward

I just want to know the orgin of the scapular. What is the purpose? …and any other information you got:thumbsup:

 

[Genesis315]

There’s a couple reasons behind scapulars. One is that they are a kind of mini-habit–and so they show a kind of spiritual solidarity with the religious order who may wear that habit.

Second, in the middle ages it was a custom for a vassal to wear a cloth of the colors of their lord or lady to show who they were loyal to. This practice was adopted to show loyalty to the Trinity, Christ, Mary, etc. I find it to be a beautiful sign of fidelity.

Third, it can be a little itchy sometimes, so its good penance and a good reminder of Who we belong to. The wool is a reminder of the Lamb who shed His Blood to purchase us

Finally, to encourage us to wear them, angels, Jesus, Mary, etc. have appeared and offered spiritual benefits besides the above (for example, Jesus promised an increase in faith, hope, and charity to those who wear the red scapular). Of course, these are private revelations so you can choose to believe them or not. That being said, the Church also offers indulgences for wearing scapulars:

ourladyswarriors.org/indulge/g35.htm

 

[Eilish_Maura]

The title is pretty straight foreward

I just want to know the orgin of the scapular. What is the purpose? …and any other information you got:thumbsup:

You may want to qualify you question with WHICH scapular you want to know about.

 

[seek_the_truth]

You may want to qualify you question with WHICH scapular you want to know about.

See that is exactly what I mean… and I don’t want to sound ignorant here…

I didn’t know there was more than one! lol

Really if you could tell me about any of them it would be much appreciated

 

[Cat]

I think one of the main things you need to know is that the use of scapulars is optional for Catholics.

 

[Genesis315]

See that is exactly what I mean… and I don’t want to sound ignorant here…

I didn’t know there was more than one! lol

Really if you could tell me about any of them it would be much appreciated

Well, the most famous is the brown–it is essentially a mini Carmelite habit. As the story goes, it was given to a Carmelite, St. Simon Stock by Our Lady along with the promise that those who wear it devoutly (not sacrilgeously, not sinning with impunity, with dedication to chastity, etc.) will not die in a state of mortal sin and will be delivered from the Purgatory on the first Saturday after their death.

The next is the white (with a blue and red cross)–the Scapualr of Trinity. It was given by an angel to some person (I forget) and was sold to raise funds to ransom Christians captured by Muslims–it showed spiritual solidariy with those suffering souls persecuted by disbelievers in the Trinity.

Then there’s the red, the scapular of the Passion, given by Christ to someone. I mentioned it at the beginning–it has a picture of Christ crucified and a pool of blood on one side with the words “Passion of Christ save me” and on the other the Hears f Jesus and Mary with the words “Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary protect me.” As I said earlier, the wearer was promised an increase in faith, hope and charity.

Then there’s the blue–the scapular of the Immaculate Conception which honors Mary’s conception and is like the habit of the Theatines.

Then there’s the black–the Scapular of the Sorrows of Mary which is like the habit of the Servite order.

Those are the main five–they even are worn all together in what’s called the five-fold scapular. There are a lot others too (Scapular of the Holy Face, Scapular of St. Joseph, Scapular of the Passionists, etc.)

Oh, and there is also a green one which you give to people contemplating conversion