Repairing a Scapular

[mVitus]

I recently got a Green Scapular that I’ve been wearing. Today I noticed that the front image was getting loose and later I noticed it had separated from the scapular. So I took a bit of Elmer’s glue and reaffixed it. Now I’m noticing the back image is coming loose. So a couple questions.

1: It wouldn’t be desecrating the scapular (it’s blessed) to peel off the back image in order to glue it more firmly rather than run the risk of it falling off in a random spot, correct?

2: How long do they generally last? I’ve only been wearing it a week or so.

 

[peter26]

Well I’ve been wearing a (brown) scapular for about three months and its still in one piece. Mind you, I don’t wear it night and day.

 

[Irishmom2]

You would be repairing, not desecrating the scapular. Go ahead and secure it properly.

You may want to consider getting a better made one that is embroidered at some point if you plan on wearing it all the time.

 

[angeltime]

Pax et Bonum! Desecrating is to destroy/damage deliberately and with hate in mind. Throwing it in the garbage is not well thought of either - some people just bury the old worn out scapulars in the earth - potted plants, gardens. angeltime

 

[oldgraymare2]

I recently got a Green Scapular that I’ve been wearing. Today I noticed that the front image was getting loose and later I noticed it had separated from the scapular. So I took a bit of Elmer’s glue and reaffixed it. Now I’m noticing the back image is coming loose. So a couple questions.

1: It wouldn’t be desecrating the scapular (it’s blessed) to peel off the back image in order to glue it more firmly rather than run the risk of it falling off in a random spot, correct?

2: How long do they generally last? I’ve only been wearing it a week or so.

I’ve been wearing the same brown scapular for several years now. It’s starting to come apart a bit at the outside seams. It was sewn together, though.

As the others have already said, it’s not desecrating it to try and fix it.

I only remove mine when bathing or showering. Otherwise, I wear it all of the time.

 

[pianistclare]

When you buy a new one, buy one that is stitched around the edges or stitch it yourself.
Needle and thread, very simple.
Keep in mind, these things are sacramentals, but are not “magic”. Your prayers and the investiture are what make them holy. Properly take good care of them, YES. You are fine to repair anything,
Otherwise we’d be drowning in a huge pile of broken rosaries.

 

[TK421]

No it’s not desecration.

If you’re going to wear a sacramental on a regular basis, I would expect you’d have to purchase a very well made one. I have like 4 chains & Miraculous Medals sitting in a cupboard because they keep falling apart. I just want a steel chain with a steel medal that won’t break except under highly unusual stress. One that I could theoretically put on today and then die an old man with it. Or alternatively be used to block a bullet from going into my aorta. Something that would make a mountain lion chip its tooth on it. You know? A long-lasting sacramental. I need to remember to order one. Parishes sometimes give out that stuff for free, but they can’t actually be worn on a permanent basis. I don’t understand how there can be a market for items that are a type of decorative attire (or in this case sacramental) that can’t actually be used as attire . The invisible hand of the market is not working Maybe they’re just meant to be primers for you to eventually get a “combat” one, or you can just hold them intermittently.

 

[oldgraymare2]

When you buy a new one, buy one that is stitched around the edges or stitch it yourself.
Needle and thread, very simple.
Keep in mind, these things are sacramentals, but are not “magic”. Your prayers and the investiture are what make them holy. Properly take good care of them, YES. You are fine to repair anything,
Otherwise we’d be drowning in a huge pile of broken rosaries.

Yes, I was also going to suggest putting a few simple and quick stitches into it too, if you can do that, or maybe have someone do that for you if you don’t feel that handy with a needle and thread.

I have done that by hand with needle and thread, to secure/fix my scapulars before.

 

[thistle]

I recently got a Green Scapular that I’ve been wearing. Today I noticed that the front image was getting loose and later I noticed it had separated from the scapular. So I took a bit of Elmer’s glue and reaffixed it. Now I’m noticing the back image is coming loose. So a couple questions.

1: It wouldn’t be desecrating the scapular (it’s blessed) to peel off the back image in order to glue it more firmly rather than run the risk of it falling off in a random spot, correct?

2: How long do they generally last? I’ve only been wearing it a week or so.

NOT desecration.

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

DESECRATION. The profanation of a sacred person, place, or thing. Churches are desecrated by notorious crimes committed within them, such as willful murder or use of the sacred edifice for godless and sordid purposes. A desecrated church must first be reconciled before Divine Services can be held there. (Etym. Latin dis, the opposite of + sacrare, to declare or set apart as sacred.)

 

[Brendan_64]

Mending it is absolutely fine. When I first wore my brown scapular it started falling apart after a few months. Some brown thread and plenty of stiching all around the edges and along where the cords go and that sorted it out. I wear it 24 hours a day (and in the bath) and a year later its still as good as when I repaired it (although the wriring and image on it are starting to fade). Why replace it when you can repair it?