Scapular question

[jcian12]

So I learned that you have to be enrolled to wear a scapular and the priests does the right of blessing and investiture during the investiture. I brought a scapular a couple of months ago and the priest blessed it. No rite of investiture of the scapular. So, is it OK to wear the scapular then?

Ooh, and please check out my other thread: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=527888 no one posted any replies yet. Thanks!

 

[david_friol_1]

this is from Fatima.org
Rite for the Blessing and Investiture of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

To obtain the fullest possible benefits from the Brown Scapular devotion, one must be validly invested (sometimes called “enrolled”) in the Brown Scapular by a priest who possesses the faculties (usually a Carmelite, Dominican or Franciscan), using a scapular blessed by the same or any other priest. After proper enrollment in the Scapular, a person need not have subsequent scapulars blessed. Once enrolled you are enrolled until death. A Scapular Ritual for Priests, with the prayers of enrollment, is found below:

Priest - Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Respondent - And grant us Thy salvation.
P - Lord, hear my prayer.
R - And let my cry come unto Thee.
P - The Lord be with you.
R - And with your spirit.
P - Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, sancfify by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protect against the evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

The Priest does the Aspersion and Invests Person(s) While Saying:

Receive this blessed Scapular and ask the Most Holy Virgin that by Her merits, it may be worn with no stain of sin, protect you from all harm and bring you to everlasting life. Amen.

After the Investiture the Priest Continues With the Prayers:

I, by the power vested in me, admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus Christ by the Religious Order of Mount Carmel.
In the name of the Father+and of the Son+and of the Holy Ghost+. Amen. May God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth, bless you, He who has deigned to join you to the confraternity of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel; we beseech Her to crush the head of the ancient serpent so that you may enter into possession of your eternal heritage through Christ our Lord.
R - Amen.

 

[Ocarm]

To obtain the fullest possible benefits from the Brown Scapular devotion, one must be validly invested (sometimes called “enrolled”) in the Brown Scapular by a priest who possesses the faculties (usually a Carmelite, Dominican or Franciscan)

With all due respect, the ritual of enrollment is neither strengthened nor weakened by the affiliation of the priest involved.

Please refer to:

carmelnet.org/scapular/scapular.htm

The page gives information prepared by the Order of Carmelites (O.Carm) and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) together, and so is as official a statement on the brown scapular as it’s possible to find. Please note that I’m a Carmelite friar,and am certainly not denigrating enrolment with the scapular, which I wear as part of my habit.

In answer to the OP’s questions, I would also recommend this excellent post:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=7446834#post7446834

Best wishes.

 

[Shin]

You do not have to be invested in a scapular to wear it.

All priests have been granted faculties to invest a person in the basic scapulars, that is, the brown and the five fold.

 

[jcian12]

You do not have to be invested in a scapular to wear it.

All priests have been granted faculties to invest a person in the basic scapulars, that is, the brown and the five fold.

So, does that mean that I can wear my scapular without the rite of investiture and blessing? I think the priest made a general blessing(?), since there are other holy reminders on the sacristy. This won’t affect the Sabbatine privelege?

 

[jcian12]

With all due respect, the ritual of enrollment is neither strengthened nor weakened by the affiliation of the priest involved.

Please refer to:

carmelnet.org/scapular/scapular.htm

The page gives information prepared by the Order of Carmelites (O.Carm) and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) together, and so is as official a statement on the brown scapular as it’s possible to find. Please note that I’m a Carmelite friar,and am certainly not denigrating enrolment with the scapular, which I wear as part of my habit.

In answer to the OP’s questions, I would also recommend this excellent post:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=7446834#post7446834

Best wishes.

So does that mean that a scapular being blessed (without saying the special prayer of giving the scapular) means that it is invested? I think the priest didn’t say the prayer or the rite of investing because he also blessed other things. Thanks!

 

[Shin]

You can wear a scapular without an investiture, however a simple blessing is not an investiture.

The investiture is good in and of itself, even though you can wear the scapular without it, you should have it done when you can. It will help your devotion as well as give you the grace of the prayers involved in it.

To become a person who devoutly wears the scapular you should learn about its meaning and history, and Carmelite spirituality.

*“Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed in this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.” * Our Lady to St. Simon Stock

Those who put upon themselves the blessed scapular, clothe themselves with the uniform of Our Lady’s army, enroll under her banner, especially choose her for their Mother and Queen.

Or if you wear more than or a different scapular than the brown scapular, you are taking on the spirituality of the other religious orders that they are associated with. There are many small scapulars associated with various religious orders and ways of spiritual life.

The Carmelites wear their scapulars continuously both day and night, waking and sleeping, working and resting, living and to the day of their deaths. They are never taken off.

I think a person who wears the Carmelite scapular or brown scapular should read St. John of the Cross or St. Teresa of Jesus’s writings, and read the scriptures about St. Elijah for example. Should consider pursuing the devotions associated with the Sabbatine privilege. Should be especially careful to observe chastity. Should be always thinking of Mary and her virtues, and pray some prayers devoted to her. And should especially observe the traditional fast days of the Church, rather than doing less than this.

‘Because all the forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin, all its various modes of expression cannot be equally pleasing to Her, and therefore do not assist us in the same degree to Heaven. I say without a moments hesitation that the brown scapular is the most favored of all!’

‘No devotion has been confirmed by more numerous authentic miracles than the Brown Scapular.’

St. Claude de la Colombiere

‘Perfection of life consists in drawing close to God. Heaven is the possession of God. In heaven God is contemplated, adored, loved. But to attain heaven it’s necessary to be detached from what is earthly. What is the life of a Carmelite if not one of contemplating, adoring and loving God incessantly? And she, by being desirous for that heaven, distances herself from the world and tries to detach herself as much as possible from everything earthly.’

St. Teresa of the Andes

 

[Bookcat]

So, does that mean that I can wear my scapular without the rite of investiture and blessing? I think the priest made a general blessing(?), since there are other holy reminders on the sacristy. This won’t affect the Sabbatine privelege?

Actually the Superiors of the Carmelite Order note that “Sabbatine Privelege” has been shown to be without historical foundation. However that does not mean that may not piously believe that Our Lady by her intercession will help those the souls being purified in a special way…who lived this devotion. It is a to be recommended.

As to wearing it…one may wear it even without being enrolled…(and yes the general blessing was fine) but it can be good to be so.

 

[Shin]

I read that Our Lady revealed to Venerable Dominic of Jesus and Mary: “Although many wear my Scapular, only a few fulfill conditions for the Sabbatine Privilege.”

Thus, the pious tradition of it is confirmed despite the confusion regarding various historical sources for it.

Some short info about the Ven. Dominic of Jesus and Mary:

"Father Dominic of Jesus and Mary was born in 1559. He became a Carmelite at an early age, but desiring to live a stricter life, he joined the Discalced Carmelites founded by St. Teresa of Avila, and became its fifth General.

During the Thirty Years War between the Catholics and the Protestants, Pope Paul V sent Father Dominic to Emperor Ferdinand II, who was preparing to engage in what was hoped to be a decisive battle. Father Dominic brought with him a picture of the Nativity of Christ, in which the Protestants had poked the eyes out of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and the shepherds. “With a crucifix in one hand and the picture suspended around his neck, he moved among the combatants, animating the Catholics to fight for their Faith and to gain the victory he promised would be theirs.” The Catholics won a decisive victory.

He died on February 16, 1630, while on a mission for Pope Urban VIII to settle some differences between the nobles of Austria. His biographers relate numberless miracles alleged to have been wrought by him during his life for which he was called the “Thaumaturgus” (wonder-worker) of his time. Fr. Dominic was declared Venerable by St. Pius X, in 1907."

He is famous for his association with the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Bowed Head.

 

[Bookcat]

I read that Our Lady revealed to Venerable Dominic of Jesus and Mary: “Although many wear my Scapular, only a few fulfill conditions for the Sabbatine Privilege.”

Thus, the pious tradition of it is confirmed despite the confusion regarding various historical sources for it.

Some short info about the Ven. Dominic of Jesus and Mary:

"Father Dominic of Jesus and Mary was born in 1559. He became a Carmelite at an early age, but desiring to live a stricter life, he joined the Discalced Carmelites founded by St. Teresa of Avila, and became its fifth General.

During the Thirty Years War between the Catholics and the Protestants, Pope Paul V sent Father Dominic to Emperor Ferdinand II, who was preparing to engage in what was hoped to be a decisive battle. Father Dominic brought with him a picture of the Nativity of Christ, in which the Protestants had poked the eyes out of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and the shepherds. “With a crucifix in one hand and the picture suspended around his neck, he moved among the combatants, animating the Catholics to fight for their Faith and to gain the victory he promised would be theirs.” The Catholics won a decisive victory.

He died on February 16, 1630, while on a mission for Pope Urban VIII to settle some differences between the nobles of Austria. His biographers relate numberless miracles alleged to have been wrought by him during his life for which he was called the “Thaumaturgus” (wonder-worker) of his time. Fr. Dominic was declared Venerable by St. Pius X, in 1907."

He is famous for his association with the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Bowed Head.

I refer you to the Generals of the Carmelites and their catechesis on their scapular.

 

[Ocarm]

The Carmelites wear their scapulars continuously both day and night, waking and sleeping, working and resting, living and to the day of their deaths. They are never taken off.

This is not in fact standard practice. Because the scapular is a material symbol of a spiritual commitment, the commitment is not put aside merely because the cloth is removed so as to change clothes or take a shower. Because First and Second order Carmelites wear a large scapular (from neck to ankle) as part of their religious habit it would not be feasible to never remove it, especially inasmuch as it forms the middle layer of three external garments, the tunic of which could not be removed without first taking off the scapular.

A wedding ring symbolises a bond established by the sacrament of marriage. However, its removal - temporary or otherwise - does not suspend that bond or diminish it in any way, although it is good to wear it as a sign of one’s matrimonial state. By analogy a similar sign is offered through the scapular of the wearer’s commitment to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. People might choose not to remove it, but this in and of itself has no bearing on the continuity of the commitment, which is dependent upon the internal disposition of the wearer.

 

[Ocarm]

So does that mean that a scapular being blessed (without saying the special prayer of giving the scapular) means that it is invested? I think the priest didn’t say the prayer or the rite of investing because he also blessed other things. Thanks!

A blessing of the scapular (including a general blessing) is sufficient to permit it to be worn. But as Shin says, a particular blessing or rite of investiture in a society or scapular fraternity will enable the wearer to learn more about the tradition and history of the devotion and the charism that surrounds it.

As with all things, knowing more about something is unlikely in and of itself to make one holier (if it did only theological geniuses could be holy!) but it may grant insights that help us on our spiritual journey. More generally, I think that commitment to a recognised school of Christian spirituality - many of which are embodied by religious institutes and theor secular associates - is a means of strengthening faith and relationships with God, with the saints and with other people.

 

[Shin]

"In the rules of the religious it is expressly prescribed under penalties that even at night the scapular must be worn, e.g. in the case of the Servites and Carmelites. For night the Carmelites have now a special smaller scapular which, however, is still much larger than the so-called great scapular of the Third Order of St. Francis; it measures about twenty inches in length and ten in width.

In the Constitutions of the Carmelite Order of 1369 (Cod. Vatic. lat. 3991 fol. 33 v.) it is appointed that each candidate of the order must bring with him his bed and in addition: “habeat etiam cum rauba sua parvum scapulare cum tunica ad jacendum” (cf. Wessels, “Analecta Ord. Carmel.”, Rome, 1911, p. 122)."

The Catholic Enyclopedia

I’ve seen a sacramental supplier also supply a hook for the wall, so that after showering one could switch one’s scapular for a dry one.

I refer people to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her catechesis on the scapular.

 

[Ocarm]

The Catholic Enyclopedia

The Catholic Encyclopedia is nearly 100 years old and does not take account of constitutional and devotional changes that have occurred since it was written.

I’ve seen a sacramental supplier also supply a hook for the wall, so that after showering one could switch one’s scapular for a dry one.

Personally I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing, despite meeting many hundreds of Carmelite religious, and having visited or stayed in dozens of Carmelite houses.

Note that I didn’t say in my original post that no-one ever has or ever does avoid removing the scapular. I did say that it was not standard practice, and is not itself necessary so as to benefit from the devotion.

 

[Shin]

In these particular times one is generally pleased to see religious wear habits at all, at any time whatsoever.

 

[Rebelecka]

Now for the next question. My daughter does take her scapular off to shower. She was told by some friends that everytime she puts it back on she needs to say a rosary. I have never come across this in my study of the scapular. What say you?

 

[Shin]

Never heard of it either, but it sounds like a fine pious habit! I would say however it’s far preferable not to take off period.

 

[jcian12]

Now for the next question. My daughter does take her scapular off to shower. She was told by some friends that everytime she puts it back on she needs to say a rosary. I have never come across this in my study of the scapular. What say you?

Hmm. Never heard of that. But I do take off my scapular when I take a bath. How about those plastic scapulars?

 

[Bookcat]

Now for the next question. My daughter does take her scapular off to shower. She was told by some friends that everytime she puts it back on she needs to say a rosary. I have never come across this in my study of the scapular. What say you?

NO

You can take if off and on…

One can *even * take it off…for long periods of time…and wear it again without doing anything more than putting it on…such is sufficient.