what is a scapular?

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There are various kinds of scapulars, but the most commonly known is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The scapular is two pieces of wool with or without images that are connected by strings and worn with one piece of the material in the front, and one in the back. The wearer must be enrolled in the scapular by a priest (it used to be that just a Carmelite priest could do it, but now any priest can). A special blessing is said for the scapular and both it and the wearer are sprinkled with Holy Water. Once you are enrolled, you are enrolled for life and new scapulars do not have to be blessed. This is a picture of the Brown Scapular:

http://www.medjugorje.org/ccart/images/uploads/sc1003l.jpg

There are various images for the scapular which include the Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, other Marian apparitions, or even saints like Padre Pio or St. Therese.

As for the other scapulars, the ones I am familiar with are the green scapular (used for conversion), red scapular (used for Christ’s passion), St. Michael scapular, and the five-fold scapular (five in one). To read more about them, here is a link:

newadvent.org/cathen/13508b.htm

ewtn.com/expert/answers/brown_scapular.HTM
 
In addition to what people have posted above (all very good information), there are some scapulars which denote that the wearer is a Lay/Secular member of a religious order, in this sense they are the equivalent of a religious habit. For example, I am a Lay Dominican, so I wear a plain white scapular. These scapulars are only given to people who are admitted to the order in question, one cannot buy and wear them as an ordinary lay person.

What they are for, (both kinds) is as a religious symbol to remind the wearer (and anyone else who sees it, although they are most often hidden under clothing) of the presence of God in their everyday life and the duty they owe him. In the case of a religious order, this would include specific prayers, actions and solidarity with other members of the order; other scapulars sometimes also have specific prayers attached but they are more usually a reminder to follow Christ and his Church in general. They are a religious symbol similar to someone who wears a crucifix except that in addition they are linked to a particular saint, charism or Marian apparition, so the way in which one choses to live out one’s vocation is guided by that slant.
 
thank you all so much! I’m really liking this forum, you all are so informative. my grandmother had me wear one of these (I still have it). I don’t ever recall being “invested” by a priest, although it could have happened, as I was little (like 10) when she gave it to me. I seem to remember her saying that there was a special call for those wearing the brown scapular to pray the rosary?

also, among her things, I was given what I thought was a single green scapular, but is actually two. with the green scapulars, are they only one square of fabric per band? do you wear two (in front and back)?
 
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