Scapulars are an article of devotion that may carry an indulgence if propperly blessed. On this day celebrating Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, (where the most popular brown-scapular was presented by the Virgin Mary) we will be examining this article.
What is a Scapular? Standard definitions state that it's a: monastic cloak covering the shoulders, or [medically] a bandage passing over and around the shoulders. However, as it is presented through the Catholic church to the laity scapular are an article of deviation, loosely based off the same monastic cloak coverings.
Provided Here is a short history of the brown-scapular:
In the year 1251, in the town of Aylesford in England, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite. She handed him a brown woolen scapular and said, “This shall be a privilege for you and all Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.” In time, the Church extended this magnificent privilege to all the laity who are willing to be invested in the Brown Scapular of the Carmelites and who perpetually wear it.
Now, even though the brown scapular is the most popular, there are actually 17+ scapular types available for the laity.
Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Green Scapular
Black Scapular of the Passion
Black Scapular of the Seven Dolors of Mary
Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception
Red Scapular of the Passion
Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Scapular of the Most Precious Blood
Scapular of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Scapular of St. Benedict
Scapular of St. Dominic
Scapular of St. Joseph
Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel
White Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
White Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity
White Scapular of the Mother of Good Counsel
White Scapular of Our Lady of Ransom
Here we are given a short summary of the 5 oldest, and likley most popular, scapulars:
The White Scapular of the Blessed Trinity was approved when Pope Innocent III, having previously authorized the Trinitarian Order in 1198, had a vision of an angel wearing a white garment with a cross of blue and red on the chest. This garment became the habit of the Order and the design of the scapular.
The Brown Scapular of the Carmelites is the most widely known scapular and was given to St. Simon Stock by Our Lady while he was at Aylesford, England in 1251. The Blessed Virgin promised to grant special aid at the hour of death to those wearing this scapular.
The Black Scapular comes from the Servite Order which began in 1255 and was authorized by Pope Alexander IV. This scapular honors the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
The Blue Scapular is based on a vision of Venerable Ursula Benicasa (in 1617), who founded the Order of Theatine Nuns. She saw Jesus and begged Him to grant favors to all who wore the Blue Scapular in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Clement X approved the blessing and investing of this scapular in 1671 and Clement XI granted certain indulgences for the wearing of it.
The Red Scapular of the Passion is based on a vision by a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1846. In that vision, Jesus promised an increase in faith, hope and charity to all who wear this scapular on Fridays. In the following year, this vision was reported to Pope Pius IX and he then granted the Lazarists Order the faculty of blessing the scapular and investing the faithful with it.
Any such of these scapulars are available for the indulgence of Grant 14. An interesting thought I'd like to further point out, that if theres a variaty of this single article of devotion, what might this imply and look like for othr articles? (Rosaries, crosses, crucifixes, and metals). For example, just think of how many different types and formats rosaries present themselves in. From decade rosaries that are merely rings, to full 15-decade rosaries! Surely if scapulars can be presented and accepted in such a verity, the other articles available for an indulgence may take on forms that we may personally not be used to seeing.
As a last note, just a reminder, grant 14 reads as such:
USE OF ARTICLES OF DEVOTION
§1 A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, make prayerful use of an article of devotion, as defined by Norm 15, that has been blessed by the Supreme Pontiff or by any bishop, provided the faithful also make a Profession of Faith using any legitimate formula.
§2 A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly use such articles of devotion properly blessed by either a priest or a deacon.
Therefore, and in honor of this Marian feast that involves scapulars, it is my hope that you shall investigate scapulars for yourself, gat one if you don't have one, and have it properly blessed so as to be a source of indulgences.
Feel free to leave your thoughts and questions. I hope to address all I can so that we can come to know this hidden gem of the Catholic Faith.
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