The Scapular is a beautiful devotion for one and all. It is symbolic of the Mantle of Protection of the Mother of God in the case of the Marian scapulars. The Benedictine black scapular reminds one of the mantle robe of our Holy Father Benedict and his miraculous power of intercession, especially with the Sign of the Cross.
Religious orders today would tend to prefer a greater commitment to its spirituality on the part of those members of the laity who would like to wear their scapular. It is, in fact, a sign that one is associated with an Order. Even the Carmelite scapular, once so universal, is being promoted in this vein.
For me, as a Benedictine oblate, the scapular of St Benedict ties me directly to his heavenly protection as well as Benedictine spirituality as found in the Holy Father’s Rule. The medal and crucifix of St Benedict remind me of the power the Holy Father exercised whenever he made the Sign of the Cross to drive out demons and to protect himself and others.
We can choose a religious Order whose spirituality we find attractive - not because it appears easy to us, but because it holds the best promise of bringing us on the path to salvation through the struggle of prayer and self-discipline. We should then seek out the Order and ask to be enrolled in the scapular, if not as a member of the Third Order.
In fact, the best way, I believe, to reap the spiritual fruits of a scapular is to become a member of the Order’s lay associates and receive direct training in the spirituality of that Order.
It is that spirituality and prayerful struggle as signified by the holy scapular that we wear that will bring us to heaven.
Alex
