There is probably an old thread somewhere about scapulars. If so, I'm sure someone will let me know and direct me to it....which I would appreciate :)

I just learned one must be enrolled in the Carmelite Scapulars by a priest or deacon in order to enjoy the spiritual befits of them. Can someone please elaborate on this for me? As I do have my mom's brown Scapular and would love to wear it..she also had a green one.

I notice that Scapular's are making a comeback again, which is nice to see. I really don't like wearing them, only because the straps are very annoying and look so clumsy with certain clothing....can we carry it or does it 'have' to be worn in order to receive the benefits..

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 17, 2003

Answers

MaryLu,

my understanding is that your first one has to be blessed by a priest, and any one after that, can be blessed by holy water.

The brown scapular has to be worn, but the green scapular does not, as that can be in you purse / wallet or even in your room at home. The green scapular, for the edification of others here, is used mostly for attaining conversion (has to be with prayer intentions said daily, for the persons conversion), and for those who are suffering ill health.

I don't like wearing the scapular myself, and take it off at night, when I sleep, as I not too crazy about the scapular getting entwined with my miraculous medal, and St. Benedict medal which I wear on a chain around my neck also.

One guy once asked me, what the brown straps were on my shoulders, and they really do look like straps on the shoulder, instead of around the neck, because of the scapular having a cloth image on the front and back, and I said, they were my bra straps. he he

-- Gordon (gvink@yahoo.com), January 17, 2003.

Mary Lu:

The enrollment only takes a minute or two. Any priest can do it.

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), January 18, 2003.

Thank you for that information, and thank you Jake, for the link.

ml

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 18, 2003.

Jake,

I went to the site for the Brown Scapular and got all of my answers. I also found a site for the Green Scapular.

I do have a question though regarding one of the promises.

Promises/Benefits 1. "...whosoever dies wearing this (the brown scapular) shall not suffer eternal fire" (Virgin Mary's promise to St. Simon)

Of course, this doesn't mean that we can wear the scapular and go ahead and live a sinful life. But, what if we missed mass one Sunday, or are not in the state of grace for some venial sin we may have committed, and die before being able to get to confession - does that promise still hold?

ml

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 18, 2003.

There is a scapular medal, which can also be worn - I'm not sure if there are additional requirements on limits as to what circumstances are necessary for it rather than the cloth one.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), January 18, 2003.

Christina,

I believe I read that you can wear the medal, after having been enrolled in the Brown Scapular by a priest or deacon first..this rule does not apply to the Green Scapular, only the Brown.

Am I right, experts?

Ml

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 18, 2003.

But, what if we missed mass one Sunday, or are not in the state of grace for some venial sin we may have committed, and die before being able to get to confession - does that promise still hold?

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 18, 2003.

ML:

Wearing the scapular and leading a virtuous life go hand-in-hand. The scapular is not to be thought of as a "get out of Hell free" card, or a good luck charm. However, if someone were to die before having an opportunity to go to confession, and had hitherto expressed contrition for their sins & resolved to confess them at their next opportunity, I don't think they would be shut out of heaven.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I believe I read that you can wear the medal, after having been enrolled in the Brown Scapular by a priest or deacon first..this rule does not apply to the Green Scapular, only the Brown.

The scapular medal can only be worn if one cannot, for good reason, wear the cloth Brown Scapular. Having an allergy to wool would qualify as a good reason; vanity would not.

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), January 19, 2003.

MaryLu,

I am glad you started this thread. I do think people need to get back into wearing the Brown Scapular again. Here are a few thoughts:

I really don't like wearing them, only because the straps are very annoying

The straps can be annoying at first, but like anything else, when worn long enough, you get used to it. I never even notice mine anymore, can't even tell I have it on. The only time I take it off is when I shower (because I hate a wet scapular against my skin.) I sleep in it, and wear it all the time. I feel naked without it. It is this way with everyone I know who wears one, and it will become this way with you, too, if you persevere in it. Gordon was right, your first one must be blessed by a priest, and you must be enrolled in it, then all other can be blessed by yourself with holy water.

and look so clumsy with certain clothing....

Think of it this way. I have been asked a few times what I am wearing. I pull it out, show it to them, and explain what it is. It is a good opportunity to spread the faith a little.

....does that promise still hold?

The promise holds as long as you have done your best to live a virtuous life. It promises that Our Lady will beseech her Son to not let you die in a state of mortal sin. Venial sin will not take you to hell, it will only earn you much time in purgatory.

I have been told the same as jake about wearing the medal versus the cloth scapular. Be sure it is acceptable before you substitute it for the cloth one.

Did everyone know you can also be enrolled in the Miraculous Medal, as well? I was just enrolled a couple of months ago, along with all my children.

-- Isabel (isabel@yahoo.com), January 19, 2003.

Thank you, Isabel, for that information.

No, I did not know about enrollment in the Miraculous Medal. When you say enrollment, what is involved with that? What is the process?

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 19, 2003.

MaryLu,

Here is a link that has many other links concerning the Miraculous Medal and Brown Scapular. One of the links is the Rite and Investiture of the Miraculous Medal. Hope this helps. (Sorry, would someone please tell me again how to paste the links in here so someone can just click on them?)

http://www.catholic-pages.com/dir/medals.asp

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel@yahoo.com), January 19, 2003.

Thank you again, Isabel. I have been searching the Internet for help with pasting links. I, too, wish someone would tell us how to do that.

I'm sure my son knows, but he never has the 'time' to show mom. :)

I am determined to learn how to do that and one day I will teach myself. I think it is time for me to take some advanced computer courses - so much to learn.

ML

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 19, 2003.

Links concerning the Miraculous Medal and Brown Scapular.

To create your own links use this HTML code: (a href=http://www.domainname.com)Text for your link(/a) Replace the above () brakets with < > to get the HTML to work.

-- Gordon (gvink@yahoo.com), January 19, 2003.

ML:

Look into ordering this little book. You should find it at any Catholic bookstore. Or, email me. I'd be thrilled to send you a copy, and some scapulars, too!

That goes for anyone.

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), January 20, 2003.

Thank you Gordon, and thank you Jake.

I am not only going to order the little book for myself, but I will order several and place them on the table in church for others.

See how the 'pepple in the pond' works...one never knows how far the ripples will go. :)

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 20, 2003.

Getting into Heaven is not based on what you are wearing around your neck. It is only by your faith and belief in Jesus Christ. This is what the bible states. The scapular and chains are very nice to look at, but remember, Jesus is the only mediator and he paid your sin debt in full. Confess your sins to Him and believe in Him. He is all you need! I hope this helps.

-- margaret maks (mmaks@sbcglobal.net), January 20, 2003.

It is only by your faith and belief in Jesus Christ. This is what the bible states.

...aah, what's that saying about "a little knowledge?"

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), January 20, 2003.

Was it St. Alphonsus de Ligouri that said we cannot approach Our Lord, except through His mother?

-- Isabel (isabel@yahoo.com), January 20, 2003.

I never heard that one before, Isabel.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 21, 2003.

Isabel, do you rely on man's words, or the Word of God. Rely on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will lead you to the truth.

Ephesians 2 8: For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. 9: Not by works so that no one can boast.

2 Timothy 3 16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4: 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

-- margaret (mmaks@sbcglobal.net), January 21, 2003.

Margaret, I know you mean well, but no one is saying that scapulars alone save you. Don't use this thread to promote your 'protestant' interpretation of the Bible. Start a new thread for that.

You basically implying that our faith in scapulars is anti-biblical, and you're mistaken in believing that.

Praying to the Saints, or relying on blessed objects are Christocentric, as we believe that it is Christ that protects us, and all intercessory prayers are to Christ.

-- Gordon (gvink@yahoo.com), January 21, 2003.

Is the 'Athletes' Scapular considered to hold the same promise... I was considering purchasing one of these because of the longer cord.

-- Jo Ann Patton (msjo62@yahoo.com), March 26, 2003.

Actually, there is support for wearing the scapular in Scripture!

Although Esau was the rightful heir to his father's wealth, he sold it to his younger brother for a bowl of lentils.

When the time came for Esau to receive his inheritance from his father, his mother clothed the younger brother with goatskin, so that he might receive from his father's hand, the inheritance which by birth belonged to Esau.

The Mother of Jesus clothes us with her garment of grace, so that when we are presented to the Father, we will inherit everlasting life.

St. Louis deMontfort uses this analogy in his book, True Devotion to Mary.

I'm sorry Margaret, but we Catholics interpret Scriptures with much deeper meanings than most fundamentalist sects. There are many, many hidden treasures in the Holy Bible, if only one is open to the Truth.

Pax Christi.

-- Anna <>< (flower@youknow.com), March 27, 2003.

I am closing in on celebrating 10 years of wearing the Brown Scapular and have learned some things that I'd like to contribute. The reason that it is annoying to wear (made of wool, etc) is specifically to remind us that it is there. If you don't know that you're wearing it, it probably isn't doing much good. I am surprised and pleased to say that after ten years, I always remember that I'm wearing it. I was also told by my pastor that Scapulars don't need to be blessed.

And now, for my opinion--regarding the promise of not suffering eternal fire--it is my belief that the Brown Scapular (when vested and worn properly) will cause one to be in a state of grace when one dies. Call it miraculous, but I believe that is the way it works. For example, if I were to commit mortal sin, I believe that I would not die until I had been to Confession. The Scapular gives me the grace to want to go to Confession as soon as possible after I sin. Now, I would never abuse it and sin on purpose and avoid Confession. I believe that if I tried to, something would either cause me to go to Confession or something would cause me to remove the Scapular. One needs to recognize when God is telling you to do something or when Satan is suggesting something. Enough of my strangeness . . .

Anyway, I credit the Brown Scapular for changing my life in a wonderful way over the last ten years. It's awesome what grace the Blessed Mother will pass on (from God) to those who declare their love for her. Peace, Dave

-- DaveO (DOSHMAN@COMCAST.Net), April 03, 2003.

Jmj
Hello, Dave O.

OK, as long as you are not saying that the scapular possesses something akin to magical qualities ...
I don't think that you meant the following phrases literally:
1. "... the Brown Scapular ... will cause one to be in a state of grace when one dies." [There has to be an act of free will by you. A sacramental does not force or "cause" a state of grace.]
2. "The Scapular gives me the grace ...". [Sacramentals help us to be open to graces, which God "gives."]

I'm bringing these things up for the benefit of non-Catholic visitors, who may mistake some of your words as approving of superstition. I want them to know that we obey the First Commandment.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), April 04, 2003.