Scapular Confusion

[BeeSweet]

I recently wrote to an organization called The Apostolate of the Green Scapular to obtain a kit of fourteen Green Scapulars. This group claims one of their members has had personal visitations from Christ giving her instruction on distributing Green Scapulars world wide. These visitations have not been approved by the church.

I received the Green Scapulars yesterday, and they’re not like those which I have bought in the past, they’re homemade, are not in a protective sleeve, and do not have a string. The brochure included with them claims they are blessed by a Catholic priest.

I don’t know what to do with them! Something seems amiss, and I don’t know how on earth to handle this. Obviously since they are blessed by a priest I need to treat them as sacramentals, but are they really Green Scapulars? Are there approved sources from which we are to obtain Green Scapulars, or can we make them ourselves? The brochure sent a page of images which can be copied and instructions so that the recipient can make more of the scapulars themselves.

Another thing this group says to do is write names on the scapulars, your own name and anyone else for whom you want the benefits of the scapular to be imparted. I’ve never heard of this before either. They maintain the same prayer I know, “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death”, but they also recommend other prayers which came from the revelations of this particular member who’s claims have not been validated by the church. I don’t believe they’ve been condemned though, so it would be nice if I could find a reputable source where I could verify such a thing.

Help! I’m confused. The power of the Green Scapular is partly dependent on the fervor and faith of the person saying the prayer. I’m afraid my suspicions may interfere.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies to help me with this.

 

[Marilena]

take them to your priest and ask him.

 

[netmilsmom]

take them to your priest and ask him.

That’s what I would do.
Spot On Marilena.

 

[Resurrexit]

As they may be sacramentals, I’d just bury them in your garden. Don’t go in to writing names or take much notice of the unverified revelations.

I recommend getting some other ones from a reputable source, getting it blessed by a priest yourself, and do the usual things.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I recently wrote to an organization called The Apostolate of the Green Scapular to obtain a kit of fourteen Green Scapulars. This group claims one of their members has had personal visitations from Christ giving her instruction on distributing Green Scapulars world wide. These visitations have not been approved by the church.

I received the Green Scapulars yesterday, and they’re not like those which I have bought in the past, they’re homemade, are not in a protective sleeve, and do not have a string. The brochure included with them claims they are blessed by a Catholic priest.

I don’t know what to do with them! Something seems amiss, and I don’t know how on earth to handle this. Obviously since they are blessed by a priest I need to treat them as sacramentals, but are they really Green Scapulars? Are there approved sources from which we are to obtain Green Scapulars, or can we make them ourselves? The brochure sent a page of images which can be copied and instructions so that the recipient can make more of the scapulars themselves.

Another thing this group says to do is write names on the scapulars, your own name and anyone else for whom you want the benefits of the scapular to be imparted. I’ve never heard of this before either. They maintain the same prayer I know, “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death”, but they also recommend other prayers which came from the revelations of this particular member who’s claims have not been validated by the church. I don’t believe they’ve been condemned though, so it would be nice if I could find a reputable source where I could verify such a thing.

Help! I’m confused. The power of the Green Scapular is partly dependent on the fervor and faith of the person saying the prayer. I’m afraid my suspicions may interfere.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies to help me with this.

A Scapular is intended to be worn. However, I have seen where a person is praying for the conversion of a non-Catholic or non-Christian and will place a Green Scapular in their home. A “Scapular” used in this manner does not need a string since it is not worn. We pray for peoples intentions by name, there is no reason you could not write your name and the name of the person you are parying for in one before placing it in their home.

 

[BeeSweet]

Thanks for all your replies. I’ve packed them up with a letter and will be mailing them back. I don’t want to bother my priests about this, because no doubt they have far more important concerns.

One thing that made me sure I could not use them is the image of Our Lady they use shows her with her head covered. The original revelations to Sr. Justine Bisqueyburu were of the Virgin with her head uncovered.

Just one thing after another after another made me increasingly skeptical. Since the power of the Green Scapular is dependent on the confidence of the giver, I obviously could not use them.

God’s Love to you all!