Scapular Question

[sowinskija]

I have heard on this site that one can make their own Scapular. Is this true, and if so, would It carry the same graces as one that is bought?

 

[edward_george]

Who makes it doesn’t make it “have graces” or anything like that, it’s the blessing that is put on it, just the same as a rosary or any other sacramental–if you struck your own Miraculous Medals at home they’d still be Miraculous Medals. I bought some wool yarn a while back to try to make some of my own but never quite got around to it. Have at it, though.

It’s important to remember that scapulars and other sacramentals are not magic, but are simply a means of disposing us to the divine grace which comes to us from the sacraments and from God himself. So the scapular itself is just a means of preparing us for grace, as would any rosary, medal, or anything like that. This is why the maker of something like that isn’t important–if I make sacred art that reminds me of God and the saints, it’s a sacramental, it doesn’t have to come from anyone special or a special factory or a convent or anything like that.

-ACEGC

 

[TuAutem]

If we’re talking about the brown scapular, it’s perfectly fine to make your own. Once a priest invests you in the scapular (whether using a home-made or store-bought one), there’s no need to re-bless future replacement scapulars once the first one wears out (whether the replacements are store-bought or home made). All that is required is that they be cloth (preferably wool), and constructed to pass over the shoulders.

The graces come from being invested in the scapular by a priest and wearing it; who made the scapular does not matter. (If a priest hasn’t invested you in the brown scapular, though, you can still wear it, and receive some grace from that, but less than you would receive with full investiture.)