Question on Scapulars

[Nevermore22]

Greetings!

I hope to have a scapular and have it blessed on Easter Vigil when I come into the Church. But there are some things that are troubling and confusing me.
If I get, say, a Brown Scapular -which would mean I would be enrolled with the Carmelites- and wear it faithfully. But since I feel a calling towards religious life, and enter a community that is not of Carmel (the Passionists, Poor Clares and Benedictines are what I feel led to), what would happen? Is that allowed? Would I still wear it and be a member of the confraternity but also a member of a different religious order? If I get a scapular that is aligned with a specific order, would I have to join that order?

This has been one of the reasons as to what type of scapular I should get (the regular Brown or the black of the Passion). So if anyone has any sort of information about this, that would be great. I am kinda lost.

In Christ,
Nevermore

 

[SonCatcher]

I do not think that possible future life changes should dissuade you from being enrolled with the brown scapular now. Go ahead and do so if you feel so lead.

At such a time that you might consider religious life later on, you might bring that up with someone in the order at that time.

If it helps you, many religious do switch orders after taking their vows if they discover they have a differing charism.

 

[MarcusAndreas]

Padre Pio wore the brown scapular. Being invested in a scapular is not even close to joining a religious order.

 

[Biedrik]

Padre Pio wore the brown scapular. Being invested in a scapular is not even close to joining a religious order.

This is pretty much the answer. If you wear the big scapular that actual Carmelites wear, then that might be an issue, but if you simply wear the small one that most people wear (which is just as good) then there should be no problem. The scapular does not actually bind you in any way to the Carmelites. It was a sacramental given through Mary and the Carmelites, but it does not make you one of them.

 

[Nevermore22]

Thank you all for your replies. You have answered my questions.
I now have the full intention of buying a scapular and wearing it after it is blessed.
Thank you all again.

In Christ,
Nevermore

 

[jcian12]

Now for the next question, if the priest blessed the scapular though only blessed it (as a sacramental) but didn’t invest it, if I need a new scapular then, I won’t have it blessed anymore right?

And what is the proper way of disposing a blessed scapular? I’ve got one that is broken.

 

[MarcusAndreas]

Now for the next question, if the priest blessed the scapular though only blessed it (as a sacramental) but didn’t invest it, if I need a new scapular then, I won’t have it blessed anymore right?

And what is the proper way of disposing a blessed scapular? I’ve got one that is broken.

At least in the case of a brown scapular, blessings are transferred in a sense from one scapular to another. If you aren’t invested you should be. Getting a new scapular does not need a new investment.

To dispose of a broken scapular or any sacramental, burn or bury it.