Scapulars - Color Differences

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lighthouse2000
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Lighthouse2000

Guest
Hello- I am wondering about the differences in the colors of the Scapulars. I am interested in beginning to wear a scapular, but I am drawn to the blue scapular featuring Our Lady with St. Bernadette. Is this different from the most popular brown Carmel scapular and in which ways? Are not all scapulars the same?

Thank you
 
The brown scapular belongs to the Carmelite tradition and it comes from a certain private revelation and has certain privileges attached to it that are distinct from other scapulars.

I dont know much about the blue scapular except that it is from the Marians and it honors our Lady’s Immaculate Conception.

marian.org/confraternity/

I myself wear the medal of the Immaculate Conception aka the Miraculous Medal.

A scapular actually is what religious wear. It comes from “scapula” bones…the sholder blades…It goes over their head…we seculars may wear a mini-scapular around our necks.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/...l77U7UzlC8O7qu3_pdc6VcZseS7SjiOsaOINjrgaic_YA
 
The different scapulars relate mostly to different Religious Orders. The Brown is of the Carmelites.
 
A scapular is a part of a religious’ habit, a long piece of cloth that goes over the head and over the shoulders (scapula), hence the term.

The small scapulars are abbreviated versions of these full scapulars and show an association with that particular religious order and its spirituality. This is the first thing to be aware of when selecting a scapular: you wear it out of an affinity for the spirituality of that order, even if you don’t become a member of that order itself. You associate yourself with prayer and attach yourself in a certain way with that order’s spiritual life.

This what the Carmelites want with regards to the brown scapular, and why I myself wear it. Not because of an alleged promise to St. Simon Stock, or the so-called Sabbatine Privilege, or the stories of miraculous events attached to it. They could all be true, but the Carmelites are de-emphasizng this and are now insisting on what it’s really for: a constant prayer for our Lady’s protection, and commitment to live chastely according to one’s state in life, and a life of prayer, such as through the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary, all hallmarks of Carmelite spirituality. By wearing their scapular, I signify my desire to be connected to them in some way in their prayers and ask for our Lady’s protection and prayers, in this life and especially in my final hour.

So in short, before selecting a scapular, go through the spirituality of the order for which that scapular has been made. If you find yourself with an affinity for that order’s spirituality, then go with it.
 
Bookcat said:
The different scapulars relate mostly to different Religious Orders. The Brown is of the Carmelites.
Click to expand...
It’s true that scapulars are originally connected with religious orders or conftaternities (Brown = Carmelites, Black = Passionists or Servites, etc.) , but there’s at least one scapular which isn’t really an emblem of a confraternity or order: the Green Scapular.
 
patrick457 said:
It’s true that scapulars are originally connected with religious orders or conftaternities (Brown = Carmelites, Black = Passionists or Servites, etc.) , but there’s at least one scapular which isn’t really an emblem of a confraternity or order: the Green Scapular.
Click to expand...
Although I don’t wear a scapular, I think the green scapular may have played a part in my own real conversion to the Catholic faith. 🙂 Somehow, my mom had acquired it, and it just happened to be in my room. I did not know what it was about, but I had an affinity for it for some reason, so I hung it on my dresser.

To put it very concisely, the green scapular helps with conversion…need to read up on it again to refresh my memory.
 
patrick457 said:
It’s true that scapulars are originally connected with religious orders or conftaternities (Brown = Carmelites, Black = Passionists or Servites, etc.) , but there’s at least one scapular which isn’t really an emblem of a confraternity or order: the** Green Scapular**.
Click to expand...
True, but technically the Green Scapular is not a real scapular… since it doesn’t rest on the shoulders (scapula). It has only one side and is worn around the neck. Rather than embracing the spirituality of a religious order it is an outward sign of prayers for conversion of heart/healing of body (either for one’s self or another).

As previously stated the scapular (in its complete form) is the outermost part of a habit. It was worn over the habit as a kind of apron protecting the front and back from getting soiled while working. Over time the scapular began have less of a practical purpose of keeping the habit clean and came to symbolize a keeping of the soul clean through the religious life. Lay persons wishing to adopt the spirituality of a particular religious order wear the much abbreviated version of the scapular as a form of a spiritual habit. This is why scapulars (aside from the Green Scapular… because it really isn’t a scapular) is not blessed… habits or cassocks are not blessed as they are the standard clothing for the religious and are simply discarded and replaced when worn out rather than burned or buried. Rather the individual is enrolled in the confraternity of the scapular (or the associated order) by a priest (who in the case of the brown scapular doesn’t have to be a Carmelite) thereby being spiritually connected with the order.
 
A little information on the Green Scapular…

http://www.praytherosaryapostolate.com/sacramentals/GR SCAP green scapular.JPG

The Green Scapular, called by Our Lady, “The Badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” was given to the world by the Blessed Virgin Mary through a series of apparitions to Sister Justine Bisqueyburo, a Daughter of Charity, in the early 1840’s in Paris, France. On the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Sept. 8th, 1840, the Mother of God appeared holding in her right hand her Immaculate Heart, mounted by flames and holding in her other hand a scapular.

The scapular consisted of a simple piece of green cloth, rectangular in shape, hanging from a green string. On one side was an image of Our Lady dressed in a long white gown which reached to her bare feet. Over this she wore a light blue mantle. However, she wore no veil. Instead, her hair hung loosely about her; and in her hands she held her Heart from the top of which gushed abundant flames. Her bearing was enhanced by a majestic beauty all heavenly. On the other side of the scapular was pictured her Immaculate Heart, all ablaze and transparent as crystal, with rays pouring out that appeared more dazzling than the sun. This Heart, pierced with a sword, was encircled by an inscription in the form of an oval and topped by a golden Cross. The inscription read:

“Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death.”…

greenscapular.com/
 
Lighthouse2000 said:
Hello- I am wondering about the differences in the colors of the Scapulars. I am interested in beginning to wear a scapular, but I am drawn to the blue scapular featuring Our Lady with St. Bernadette. Is this different from the most popular brown Carmel scapular and in which ways? Are not all scapulars the same?

Thank you
Click to expand...
Usually, the different colors are used because of different origins and devotional practices concerning each scapular.
 
Wearing a scapular is not superstition. It’s fully approved and endorsed by the Church. A sacramental disposes one to receive Grace. It does not directly impart it as do the Sacraments.

It is true that some people might wear it more for reasons of superstition than the right reasons and this is to be frowned upon as it is an improper perception of what sacramentals are all about.
 
Thank you for all the great replies. They are much appreciated.
 
I am unaware of the blue scapular with St. Bernadette Soubirous on it. The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception, promoted by the Marians, does not have this image (this is the scapular that I am enrolled in).

Nevertheless, find yourself a scapular whose devotions will make sense to you. I have given many Green Scapulars to others. I gave one to my niece recently, who is in the Navy, in hopes that she would take comfort in it and may be converted one day. She is young and sensitive and it may help her. One needn’t wear it, but just keep it in their room. A prayer should be said, if not to the one who possesses it, by the one who gives it, then. “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death, Amen”
 
JamalChristophr said:
A little information on the Green Scapular…

http://www.praytherosaryapostolate.com/sacramentals/GR SCAP green scapular.JPG

The Green Scapular, called by Our Lady, “The Badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” was given to the world by the Blessed Virgin Mary through a series of apparitions to Sister Justine Bisqueyburo, a Daughter of Charity, in the early 1840’s in Paris, France. On the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Sept. 8th, 1840, the Mother of God appeared holding in her right hand her Immaculate Heart, mounted by flames and holding in her other hand a scapular.

The scapular consisted of a simple piece of green cloth, rectangular in shape, hanging from a green string. On one side was an image of Our Lady dressed in a long white gown which reached to her bare feet. Over this she wore a light blue mantle. However, she wore no veil. Instead, her hair hung loosely about her; and in her hands she held her Heart from the top of which gushed abundant flames. Her bearing was enhanced by a majestic beauty all heavenly. On the other side of the scapular was pictured her Immaculate Heart, all ablaze and transparent as crystal, with rays pouring out that appeared more dazzling than the sun. This Heart, pierced with a sword, was encircled by an inscription in the form of an oval and topped by a golden Cross. The inscription read:

“Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death.”…

greenscapular.com/
Click to expand...
Love the green scapular!❤️ I was so moved by the above story, when I read it years ago, that I ordered 10 of them and gave them to family and friends.
 
Here is the Blue scapular with Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette:
 
Interesting…that is the back side of the Miraculous Medal (medal of the I.C.) from 1830 in Paris…then of course Our Lady appeared and confirmed it once again in Lourdes in 1858, with the dogma proclaimed in 1854.
 
Hello, this is my first post here, but I am interested in the green scapula. The problem I have is getting it to the person concerned who was brought up Catholic but has completely rejected his faith, and is now a freemason and a Buddhist! He wouldn’t accept it if offered, and I have no way of hiding it in his flat - he lives 200 miles away, and I am nervous that he would be angry with me if he found it!. Any advice please? Thanks. 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top