TarAshly:
first off whats a scapula and secondly i wear a crucifix and a saint Elizabeth Ann Searton medal on one chain my fiance wears a saint christophers medal.
Actually, the word is spelled with an “r” at the end of it.
There’s several “colors” of the scapular, depending on which scapular it is.
The most common one that I know of is the “Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.”
At EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) –
www.ewtn.com is a description of the Brown Scapular from Father Colin B. Donovan, STL.
It starts with this paragraph (which I copy/pasted here).
**A scapular is a garment worn by religious over the shoulders (scapula), and hanging down in front and back, usually to about the bottom of the habit. It developed as a practical garment, protecting the habit during work, and was in time invested with spiritual significance, consecration or dedication to God. **
You might want to read up on the rest of that description by Father Donovan here:
ewtn.com/expert/answers/brown_scapular.htm
You can do a Google search on the word “scapular.” However, your time would be best spent, I humbly suggest, by reading the part of the New Advent (also known as “the Catholic encyclopedia” web site that tells TONS about the scapular.
newadvent.org/cathen/13508b.htm
Here’s just the first part in this article about the scapular.
**The scapular (from Lat., scapula, shoulder) forms a part, and now the most important part, of the habit of the monastic orders. Other orders and numerous religious congregations (both male and female) have also adopted the scapular from the monastic orders. It is usually worn over the habit or soutane.
Description. It consists essentially of a piece of cloth about the width of the breast from one shoulder to the other (i.e. about fourteen to eighteen inches), and of such a length that it reaches not quite to the feet in front and behind. There are also shorter forms of the scapular. In the middle is the opening for the head, the scapular thus hanging down from two narrow connecting segments resting on the shoulders. Originally the longitudinal segments of cloth were connected by cross segments passing under the arms – a form which exists even today. In former times also two segments of cloth hung over the shoulders, which they covered, and thus formed a cross with the longitudinal segments over the breast and back (cf. P.L., CIII, 1231, editorial note).
**
I, along with everyone else in my First Communion catechism class in 1964 were enrolled in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I still have it. Hadn’t worn it in years until recently when I realized how great a gift it is to be enrolled in the scapular.
Because I’ve already been enrolled in the scapular… and because “these days” once you’re enrolled with a cloth scapular you can get a “scapular medal” to wear instead of the cloth one (which can itch), I’m wearing a scapular medal on a chain around my neck 24/7.
To get enrolled in the scapular, you can just get a cloth scapular (the small kind that hangs halfway between your collar bone and your waist) and bring it to the priest directly after Mass when he’s standing in the narthex/lobby, shaking hands with parishoners. Hold it in your hands and show it to him, asking him to enroll you in the scapular.
If he doesn’t do it, go to another parish and ask that priest. It takes only a minute or so for him to say the words that enroll you in it.
(It may have been so long since he’s enrolled anyone in the scapular that the words may not come to his memory right then.)
There is absolutely NO reason for ANYbody, EVER to not be enrolled in the scapular as long as they know what it is, what it signifies, and your commitment that you are making.
Just be SURE that you know what the scapular is and what it means to be wearing one. It is NOT a magical talisman!
