Plastic Casings on the Brown Scapular

[Joey97]

Hi friends, family, and fellow Catholics! I have a question regarding the Brown Scapular. About a year or so ago, my grandparents gave me my great-grandfather’s Brown Scapular. I was fortunate enough to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular today (thanks to Mary’s never-failing intercession and the mercy of God). When we were enrolled, we received a pamphlet describing the sacramental and other details. In this pamphlet, in all caps and bold, it read that the Brown Scapular must not have plastic casings. I read a statement on the Sisters of Mount Carmel site that reiterated this claim. However, on the EWTN site, I read from a priest that having a protective casing is okay. I’m asking this because my great-grandfather’s Brown Scapular has a plastic casing around the wool and I wanted to know if that was not okay for the Brown Scapular because I was thinking about wearing his. I’m not too fond on what the exact requirements for the scapular are other than what I read from the church, the Sisters of Mount Carmel, and this forum.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Hi friends, family, and fellow Catholics! I have a question regarding the Brown Scapular. About a year or so ago, my grandparents gave me my great-grandfather’s Brown Scapular. I was fortunate enough to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular today (thanks to Mary’s never-failing intercession and the mercy of God). When we were enrolled, we received a pamphlet describing the sacramental and other details. In this pamphlet, in all caps and bold, it read that the Brown Scapular must not have plastic casings. I read a statement on the Sisters of Mount Carmel site that reiterated this claim. However, on the EWTN site, I read from a priest that having a protective casing is okay. I’m asking this because my great-grandfather’s Brown Scapular has a plastic casing around the wool and I wanted to know if that was not okay for the Brown Scapular because I was thinking about wearing his. I’m not too fond on what the exact requirements for the scapular are other than what I read from the church, the Sisters of Mount Carmel, and this forum.

If these are the “Sisters of Carmel” of Colorado Springs you should be warned that they are not Carmelites or Sisters at all. They display the Discalced Order’s seal but they are not recognised by the Prior General nor do they operate under competent ecclesiastical authority, as required by Canon Law and in complete fidelity to the competent dicastery of the Holy See.

They also operate in direct opposition to the diocesan bishop, who has issued a declaration against them.

diocs.org/portals/2/Documents/DeclarationJuly31_2013.pdf

Indeed, they post on their website all manner of things at variance to the Church’s actual teaching. The Church has abrogated, for example, the need for the scapular to be made of wool…it also now allows Deacons to both bless and invest with scapular. By their rejection of these decisions, these persons show their utter lack of submission to competent ecclesiastical authority.

As you read on EWTN, it is perfectly fine for the scapular to be encased in plastic to protect it.

 

[Joey97]

If these are the “Sisters of Carmel” of Colorado Springs you should be warned that they are not Carmelites or Sisters at all. They display the Discalced Order’s seal but they are not recognised by the Prior General nor do they operate under competent ecclesiastical authority, as required by Canon Law and in complete fidelity to the competent dicastery of the Holy See.

They also operate in direct opposition to the diocesan bishop, who has issued a declaration against them.

diocs.org/portals/2/Documents/DeclarationJuly31_2013.pdf

Indeed, they post on their website all manner of things at variance to the Church’s actual teaching. The Church has abrogated, for example, the need for the scapular to be made of wool…it also now allows Deacons to both bless and invest with scapular. By their rejection of these decisions, these persons show their utter lack of submission to competent ecclesiastical authority.

As you read on EWTN, it is perfectly fine for the scapular to be encased in plastic to protect it.

Thanks for the help!

The “sisters” you mentioned may be it. I’m not 100%. When I looked up the Brown Scapular, they were the first ones listed. Most of what they said is in line with what I have seen and I didn’t notice any contradictions, but I’ll be more cautious next time. Thanks for the warning!