Question for scapular wearers

[Obsidion]

So I’ve been wearing my scapular for a month now, and I was wondering if it could be worn outside of my clothing or if it was to always stay under my clothing. The reason I ask is because a lot of the shirts I wear (like tank tops and V-neck shirts) expose the long straps of my scapular, so the only hidden parts are the two pieces of cloth. I’ve been wondering if, in cases like those, I could wear the whole scapular showing on the outside of my clothes, since I feel like I look weird with two long brown straps showing and going down into my shirts/blouses with just the cloths hidden. Or is it supposed to be worn like this? Any clarification would be great!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

There is certainly no prohibition to wearing the scapular outside one’s clothing. Of course, Religious who wear the full sized scapular wear it over the tunic since its original purpose was as an apron-like garment. Laity who wear the small version typically do not wear it over their regular garments. But it is a sacramental, as is a blessed crucifix, cross, or other medal which can be worn either under one’s clothing or on top of one’s clothing as one prefers. You will probably have people ask you what it is should you wear it over your other garments.

 

[midori]

I thought it was cool— when I saw Pope Francis visiting the inmates during his trip to the US, I thought I saw one of them wearing the brown scapular.

When I wore mine, I always wore it under my clothes, because I thought it was less obtrusive. If you’re comfortable with having it on the outside, there’s no problem with it. Plenty of people do-- it’s just a matter of preference.

 

[janman55]

To me the scapular is a reminder to the wearer of how they are yoked to our Lord through our Lady. I do not intend to show others of this consecration although I don’t hesitate to explain it’s purpose to others who may notice. I agree that there is probably nothing inherently wrong with wearing it on the outside.

 

[SnowAngels]

So I’ve been wearing my scapular for a month now, and I was wondering if it could be worn outside of my clothing or if it was to always stay under my clothing. The reason I ask is because a lot of the shirts I wear (like tank tops and V-neck shirts) expose the long straps of my scapular, so the only hidden parts are the two pieces of cloth. I’ve been wondering if, in cases like those, I could wear the whole scapular showing on the outside of my clothes, since I feel like I look weird with two long brown straps showing and going down into my shirts/blouses with just the cloths hidden. Or is it supposed to be worn like this? Any clarification would be great!

Hi! I actually always have three chains around my neck. It certainly takes some getting used to…I have my 5-fold scapular, a chain with several medals on it, and my crucifix. While I wear the medals and scapular inside my shirt my scapular occasionally slips out. If I notice it, I just put it back. It isn’t that I don’t want to wear it outside my clothes so much as that I want it closer to me. Also, as janman55 said, the scapular is a symbol of my consecration to God through Mary - something very special and personal. I hope this helped! God bless!

 

[SilverAvenger]

Well, I use my scapular for almost a year now and let me tell you:

The scapular is MEANT to be worn on the OUTSIDE of the clothing.

It derives from a sort of an apron used by the monks which is called the Scapular, and is worn over the habit. In time, those aprons started being used by larity through certain confraries, such as the Confrary of the Mount Carmel Scapular and the Passionist Confrary. Plus, it’s a symbol of personal consecration, and a shield against demonic temptation, nothing anyone should be ashamed to use and hide under their clothing, but rather something to have holy pride in.

 

[Obsidion]

Well, I use my scapular for almost a year now and let me tell you:

The scapular is MEANT to be worn on the OUTSIDE of the clothing.

It derives from a sort of an apron used by the monks which is called the Scapular, and is worn over the habit. In time, those aprons started being used by larity through certain confraries, such as the Confrary of the Mount Carmel Scapular and the Passionist Confrary. Plus, it’s a symbol of personal consecration, and a shield against demonic temptation, nothing anyone should be ashamed to use and hide under their clothing, but rather something to have holy pride in.

Yeah, I knew the history behind the original scapular worn by monks. I was just wondering if it would be OK if I wear mine over my clothing when I wear tops that expose the long straps. Because I had read from most people that it’s supposed to be worn under the clothing since it’s supposed to be a quiet sign of devotion to God. But based on what everyone is telling me here, I guess either way it could be worn and I would be fine. I think I’ll wear it over my shirt when I wear tank tops and other tops that expose most of the brown straps anyways, and keep it under shirts that do a better job covering the straps anyways.

 

[SilverAvenger]

Yeah, I knew the history behind the original scapular worn by monks. I was just wondering if it would be OK if I wear mine over my clothing when I wear tops that expose the long straps. Because I had read from most people that it’s supposed to be worn under the clothing since it’s supposed to be a quiet sign of devotion to God. But based on what everyone is telling me here, I guess either way it could be worn and I would be fine. I think I’ll wear it over my shirt when I wear tank tops and other tops that expose most of the brown straps anyways, and keep it under shirts that do a better job covering the straps anyways.

Well, it’s a matter of personal taste as well. I make scapulars for sale, and the latest scapular I made for myself was testing out this new organic wool felt I had gotten. Issue was, I ended up making the straps so short, that it always manages to come out my t-shirt, so even if I want to hide it, I can’t. But I rarely atempt to hide it, since despite not having made my consecration on Church, I’m still consecrated to Mary, and I’m proud of it, even if my muslim neighbours give me the bad glare when they see me.

 

[E_7]

So I’ve been wearing my scapular for a month now, and I was wondering if it could be worn outside of my clothing or if it was to always stay under my clothing. The reason I ask is because a lot of the shirts I wear (like tank tops and V-neck shirts) expose the long straps of my scapular, so the only hidden parts are the two pieces of cloth. I’ve been wondering if, in cases like those, I could wear the whole scapular showing on the outside of my clothes, since I feel like I look weird with two long brown straps showing and going down into my shirts/blouses with just the cloths hidden. Or is it supposed to be worn like this? Any clarification would be great!

My Spiritual Director, an Opus Dei priest told me that the scapular has to be imposed by the priest. I’m assuming you already did that. He then told me that after the imposition of the brown scapular, you can get a medal that has Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on one side and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the other side and have it blessed, and you can replace the brown scapular for the medal scapular.

I’ve found something on EWTN

One final note, investing MUST be done with the cloth scapular. Those who wish to wear the medal can do so after investment. The scapular blessing attaches to each subsequent scapular. A new blessing is NOT required. This is not true of the medal, each of which must be blessed by a priest or deacon.

 

[Obsidion]

My Spiritual Director, an Opus Dei priest told me that the scapular has to be imposed by the priest. I’m assuming you already did that. He then told me that after the imposition of the brown scapular, you can get a medal that has Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on one side and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the other side and have it blessed, and you can replace the brown scapular for the medal scapular.

I’ve found something on EWTN

Yes, my brown scapular was already blessed by my priest (who is also my spiritual director) and I’ve been invested with the confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. And I’ve read about the scapular medal but I don’t want to wear that. There are no associated miracles with the scapular medal, and I read that wearing the scapular medal as a substitute for the cloth scapular for looks purposes is a sin (vanity).

 

[Mystrx]

I was told by the Discalced Carmelite nuns who make the ones that I wear, they should always be worn under the clothing against the skin and that the scapular medal doesn’t really count in the same way as a proper brown wool scapular does.

So that’s how I wear mine.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Well…the sign value is not present with the scapular medal since the scapular is a garment, a livery, and there is the imagery of a mother clothing her child and the child wearing a garment made by his or her mother.

However, it was Pope Saint Pius X who made it possible to substitute the scapular medal for all the scapulars, including the scapular of Carmel. The Church has the power to regulate the sacramentals. Therefore the luminous mysteries added by Saint John Paul II are as much the rosary as the other sets of mysteries. The successor of Peter, with his power to bind and loose on earth and in Heaven, can legitimately permit the substitution of the scapular medal such that what was promised of the scapular would apply to the medal. Still…I admit there is something special about the actual wearing of the scapular itself, from a human and perceived perspective.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

The guides I’ve read recommend that the scapular be worn under the clothing.

 

[Mystrx]

Well…the sign value is not present with the scapular medal since the scapular is a garment, a livery, and there is the imagery of a mother clothing her child and the child wearing a garment made by his or her mother.

However, it was Pope Saint Pius X who made it possible to substitute the scapular medal for all the scapulars, including the scapular of Carmel. The Church has the power to regulate the sacramentals. Therefore the luminous mysteries added by Saint John Paul II are as much the rosary as the other sets of mysteries. The successor of Peter, with his power to bind and loose on earth and in Heaven, can legitimately permit the substitution of the scapular medal such that what was promised of the scapular would apply to the medal. Still…I admit there is something special about the actual wearing of the scapular itself, from a human and perceived perspective.

Oh I understand completely. I wasn’t saying that the medal is wrong, just that traditionally its not preferred over a wool one. Some people like to use it though and that’s great. The important thing I think to remember is what it all represents. As long as you do that then you’re golden.

 

[E_7]

Yes, my brown scapular was already blessed by my priest (who is also my spiritual director) and I’ve been invested with the confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. And I’ve read about the scapular medal but I don’t want to wear that. There are no associated miracles with the scapular medal, and I read that wearing the scapular medal as a substitute for the cloth scapular for looks purposes is a sin (vanity).

Is it? Good to know!