St. Michael the Archangel Scapular

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I was looking into the Saint Michael the Archangel Scapulars, and found two. Does anybody know which is the one from the co-fraternity?

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CatholicSpirit said:
I was looking into the Saint Michael the Archangel Scapulars, and found two. Does anybody know which is the one from the co-fraternity?

http://www.freebrownscapular.com/images/michaelscapular_lrg.jpg
https://static.trinityroad.com/prod/500/saint-michael-large-shield-scapular-2026549.jpg
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The photos are simply showing two versions of what is the same scapular. Just as the Carmelite scapular can be obtained with different dimensions, small to large; images affixed – or not; different colors of bands connecting the two panels, and even chains connecting the two panels; panels encased in plastic or not; and so forth.
 
CatholicSpirit said:
So, what you are saying is that both qualify?
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Yes.

*The Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel

While this scapular originated under Pius IX, who gave it his blessing, it was first formally approved under Leo XIII. In 1878 a confraternity in honour of St. Michael the Archangel was founded in the Church of St. Eustachius at Rome, and in the following year in the Church of Sant’ Angelo in Pescheria (Sancti Angeli in foro Piscium). In 1880 Leo XIII raised it to the rank of an archconfraternity, which was expressly called the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael. At first (1878) the confraternity received indulgences from Leo XIII for seven years; the summary of indulgences of the Pious Association of St. Michael was last approved for ever by a Decree of the Congregation of Indulgences, 28 March, 1903. The scapular is so associated with the confraternity that each member is invested with it. The formula for blessing and investing with the scapular, given in the Rituale Romanum was first approved by the Congregation of Rites on 23 August, 1883. In outward form this scapular is different from the others, inasmuch as the two segments of cloth have the form of a small shield; of these one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and of the bands likewise one is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription “Quis ut Deus”.*
newadvent.org/cathen/13508b.htm

This old article from the Catholic Encyclopedia of 100+ years ago on scapulars, from which the above is excerpted, is correct in so far as it relates to the historical facts. The indulgences have changed, after the reform by Blessed Paul VI…and the Sacred Congregation for Rites, as it was then known, long ago made provision for scapulars to be made of fabric other than wool…even to use synthetic fabrics.
 
I was reading an article about the enrollment and I am comparing notes. First, this scapular is not brown. So, if I acquired this scapular, and then sought enrollment, could I be denied based on these differences? Also, the Scapulars I presented in the images differ from others which state that the person who dies wearing it will not face eternal fire. Does the promise change for a believer based on these differences?

Link: sistersofcarmel.com/faqs-the-brown-scapular/
 
CatholicSpirit said:
I was reading an article about the enrollment and I am comparing notes. First, this scapular is not brown. So, if I acquired this scapular, and then sought enrollment, could I be denied based on these differences? Also, the Scapulars I presented in the images differ from others which state that the person who dies wearing it will not face eternal fire. Does the promise change for a believer based on these differences?

Link: sistersofcarmel.com/faqs-the-brown-scapular/
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Firstly, you are now speaking of the brown scapular…the Carmelite scapular in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. That is an entirely separate and distinct sacramental from the scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel, which is from Italy.

You do understand that there are some 18 approved scapulars…correct? All of that was explained in the article I linked to.

Secondly, the website you linked to is a schismatic group. These so-called Carmelites stand condemned by the bishop of the diocese in which they reside. They are not in communion with either the Prior General of the Carmelites of Ancient Observance [O. Carm.] or the Prior General of the Discalced Carmelites of the Teresian Reform [O.C.D.] nor are they communion with the Pope. They should be avoided until they regularize their situation with the Church.
 
Thanks for pointing that out! I have seen these Scapulars around, some with Saint Francis of Assisi also. Is the Scapular an item to be worn to prevent eternal damnation as written? And, if so, do all Scapulars have this? I did some reading and “enrollment” is a real term, used by some sources.

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CatholicSpirit said:
Thanks for pointing that out! I have seen these Scapulars around, some with Saint Francis of Assisi also. Is the Scapular an item to be worn to prevent eternal damnation as written? And, if so, do all Scapulars have this? I did some reading and “enrollment” is a real term, used by some sources.
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First, please read this article, so that you can have an overview of what a scapular actually is.

newadvent.org/cathen/13508b.htm

In its essence, it is part of a religious habit…a habit worn by Religious.

You mention the scapular of Saint Francis, for example. I remember when the members of the Secular Franciscan Order used to wear a scapular of Saint Francis along with the Franciscan cord…but it has been years since I have seen that scapular in use.

Smaller scapulars are modified parts of a Religious habit that laity wear as a sign of affiliation to the Religious community that wears the full sized version of the habit or else as an outward expression on an inward devotion…as in the case of the scapular honouring the archangel, Saint Michael.

Each scapular has its own origin and its own purpose.

Some are purely practical, such as the scapular of Saint Benedict. The Benedictine scapular was simply an apron that kept the tunic from getting soiled…it was easier to wash a scapular than it was to launder a tunic. It came to have all sorts of symbolic meaning…the yoke of Christ and so forth.

Some scapulars claim a revelation from Heaven, such as the Dominican, Norbertine, and Carmelite scapulars.

This is all treated in the article I have cited from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

I shall come back to this with a subsequent post.

You should read also the catechesis on the Brown Scapular which is used by both of the branches of Carmel. It is well written and addresses points in a very balanced way.

meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis
 
To your question:

A scapular does not – and cannot – prevent damnation.

It is not a talisman with an inherent power to do things.

A scapular is an article of devotion, given by the Church to assist a person in living their spiritual life and relationship with God and with His Saints, including the Blessed Virgin.

A scapular is rich in symbolism. It is a garment that is given and a garment that is accepted.

A mother who provides her children clothing is an excellent image of a garment that is given.

A man or woman who dons the uniform of their nation’s military or of their police force is an excellent image of a garment that is accepted. One does not just put on a soldier’s uniform…it is an outward sign of a commitment and a dedication and the assumption of a way of life and of being part of the military. Otherwise, it is only a costume.

In the same way, receiving a scapular and wearing a scapular is an outward sign or external expression of the gift of Heaven to you and of the choices you make: to commit yourself to live a life that reflects, in some fashion, the spirituality and life of the Carmelites or the Dominicans or the Servites or the Trinitarians or so forth.

With regard to the promise, in choosing to walk that path, yes, one will be assisted with the help of Heaven…even the unfailing help of Heaven – be it the Blessed Virgin, the saints of that Religious family…and others who are still alive and on that same journey with you. Assuming, of course, you remain a faithful part of what you have committed to.

The promise particular to the Carmelite scapular has to be understood properly and according to the mind of the Church. It is not some sort of spiritual “get out of jail for free” card. It is not a lucky charm.

One cannot say, “I am wearing this scapular and therefore I am protected and do not need to pray, receive the sacraments, or live a moral life because it will keep me from eternal separation from God.” To view it in that way is to radically misunderstand the nature of sacramentals and their role in the lives of the faithful living out their faith in their daily lives.

It is an outward sign, when worn properly, that the wearer is in some way part of the family of Carmel and is truly a child of the Blessed Virgin. The proper wearing of it indicates that the wearer wants to live and to grow in that relationship of child to mother and of mother to child, relative to their relationship to the Blessed Virgin. It is a garment that is blessed…but it is not a garment to be treated as if it had a magic power.

One would not put on the habit of a monk and rob a bank, expecting immunity because of what you are wearing.

All of this is explained quite well and in detail in the scapular catechesis.

Oh…and for the other question. Enrollment or investiture is done by a priest or deacon. You can take your scapular to them and they will bless it and invest you in it. The blessing transfers to subsequent scapulars.

Also, there is a provision by which you may wear a medal in substitution for the scapular. That is all explained in the encyclopedia article.
 
Thank you for clarifying some of the information posted in that article. I think a scapular in conjunction with a medal cannot do harm. The article also said that a deacon cannot enroll a person with a scapular. It seems they are a bit off, as before-mentioned.
 
On the scapular with swords, there are two red upper case letters, “RS” what does that mean?
 
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