Should You Be Wearing a Scapular?

There are red ones, blue ones, brown ones, black ones, white ones, and a even a green one.  And a number of them have indulgences attached to wearing them.

Altogether there are some 19 different approved scapulars that Catholics are wearing today.  Have you given any thought to wearing one?

The Brown Scapular worn by Carmelites (mentioned in this CS article by Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, O. Carm.), is one of the most popular Scapulars.  And there is a good reason for this.  The Brown Scapular page of the Sisters of Carmel website provides the reason:

“WHOSOEVER DIES IN THIS GARMENT SHALL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE” – promise of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251.

But don’t run out and buy a Brown Scapular thinking it’s a ‘get out of hell’ card.  Scapulars are not magic charms, as Fr. Hugh Barbour points out.

And in the case of the Brown Scapular, enrollment in the Brown Scapular Confraternity is required.  Enrollment (also called investiture) in a confraternity also holds true for many of the other scapulars.  And there are requirements that go along with wearing the Brown Scapular and some of the other scapulars as well.

A Little History

Scapulars were originally aprons worn by monks while at work.  After the ninth century, however, scapulars became part of the religious habit monks received after professing vows.

A few centuries later, lay people working with the different monastic communities wanted a means of identifying with their communities.  So they began adopting a smaller version of their community’s scapular.  This was simply two small pieces of wool cloth joined by two strings.

These small Scapulars were originally worn over clothing.  Over time, however, Scapulars began being worn under a person’s clothing.

Wearing a scapular signifies devotion, submission, and trust on the part of the wearer to Jesus, our Blessed Mother, or a particular saint.  Additionally, small Scapulars signify community or confraternity membership.

Two exceptions here are the Green Scapular and the White Scapular of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Neither scapular is affiliated with a confraternity.  As such, anyone can wear either one without enrolling in a confraternity.  The wearer only needs to have them blessed by a priest.

So, here is a list of the approved Scapulars worn by Catholics throughout the world today.  The links throughout this article contain more information about each scapular and/or information about enrollment for the specific scapular.

Scapular of Conversion (Green)

The Blessed Virgin gave The Green Scapular to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu  in 1840.  It can be worn by anyone who desires to benefit by Our Blessed Mother’s intercession.  Since there is no confraternity for this Scapular, anyone may wear it.  As with all scapulars, it should be blessed by a priest.

Scapular of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (White)

This scapular was given to Estelle Faguette by the Blessed Virgin.  The Blessed Virgin cured Faguette of tuberculosis.

The scapular of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is affiliated with the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Pellevoisin – All Merciful Mother.  (This confraternity may or may not still exist today.)  By a decree [see page 147] of the Congregation of Rights, on May 19, 1900, “the rights concerning the scapular were conferred on the Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, with the power of delegating these rights, not only to priests of his own Congregation, but to all others who might apply for them”.

Today, any member of the lay faithful may wear this scapular.  Wearers simply need to have the Scapular of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus blessed by a priest.

Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Brown)

This is the scapular worn by Carmelites and those enrolled in the Brown scapular.  A priest or authorized person enrolls the wearer.  (See the link to the Brown Scapular page previously cited.)

Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity (White)

Members of the Confraternity of the Most Blessed Trinity wear this scapular.  It is associated with the Trinitarians.  It is white with a blue and red cross.

The Trinitarians are an ecclesial community composed of clerics, lay persons, nuns, and religious brothers and sisters.  In order to become invested in the Confraternity of the Blessed Trinity you must constantly wear this scapular and have it blessed by a priest as granted by the General of the Trinitarians.

Scapular of Our Lady of Ransom (White)

This scapular is associated with the Fathers of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians).  Members of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Ransom of Captives wear this scapular.  To be invested in this confraternity you have to have the scapular blessed by an approved priest according to the General of the Mercedarians.   There are also indulgences that go along with the Scapular.                   

Scapular of the Seven Dolors of Mary (Black)

In 1233, seven youths in Tuscany founded the Servite Order.  This order is also known as the “Servite Friars,” or the “Order of the Servants of Mary.”

The Servites developed the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and the Black Scapular of the Seven Dolors (Sorrows) of Mary. The Black Scapular is a symbol of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Sorrows that is associated with the Servites.

Scapular of the Immaculate Conception (Blue)

Members of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God Mary wear the Blue scapular.  It is associated with the Theatines and the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.

The rite of admission to the Confraternity (investiture) goes along the Scapular.  It is performed by a Marian priest or deacon, or a member of the clergy delegated by the Marians.

Scapular of the Passion (Black)

This is the scapular of the Passionist Fathers and the faithful who wish to associate themselves more closely with the Passionist order.

Scapular of the Most Precious Blood (Red)

This scapular is worn by members of the Confraternity of the Precious Blood.  The Passionists are among those authorized to enroll the laity into the Confraternity.  No special indulgences are connected with wearing this scapular.

Scapular of the Passion and the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Red)

This is the scapular of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and Priests of the Mission (called Lazarists or Vincentians).  Priests of the Mission were granted the faculty of blessing the scapular and investing the faithful with it.  Indulgences are granted to those who wear the Scapular.

Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Black)

This scapular is associated with Members of the Order of Saint Camillus de Lellis (The Camillians or Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick).  Lay Camillians who are members of the Confraternity of the Mother of God for the Poor Sick may wear it.

The Camillians were founded in 1586 and made their symbol the red cross.  The red cross eventually became the universal symbol used by other ministers to the sick.  (Today, Camillians own and operate 91 hospitals, 115 health centers, and multiple Universities and education centers around the world.)

Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (White)

Members of the Congregation of Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Claretian Missionaries – may wear this scapular.

Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel (Blue and Black)

While originally associated with the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael, this confraternity may or may not still exist.  The Michaelites, however, have apparently adopted this scapular.  Any Catholic Priest can enroll any baptized Catholic on this scapular.

Scapular of St. Benedict (Black)

Members of The Benedictine Confederation, and lay members of the Confraternity of St. Benedict wore this scapular, but it has now been replaced with a medal.  Lay Oblates of St. Benedict are permitted to wear the Medal of St. Benedict instead of the small black cloth scapular formerly worn, but the medal should be blessed by a priest or deacon (not necessarily a Benedictine).

“The medal is a prayer of exorcism against Satan, a prayer for strength in time of temptation, a prayer for peace among ourselves and among the nations of the world, a prayer that the Cross of Christ be our light and guide, a prayer of firm rejection of all that is evil, a prayer of petition that we may with Christian courage “walk in God’s ways, with the Gospel as our guide,” as St. Benedict urges us.”

Scapular of Our Lady of Good Counsel (White)

This scapular is associated with Members of Order of Saint Augustine (Augustinians).  Augustinian Seculars and Friends, lay men and women who wish to bind themselves by formal promises to share in the Augustinian way of life, also wear this scapular.

Scapular of St. Joseph (Violet and Gold)

This scapular is associated with the Capuchins.  Members of the faithful who wish to associate themselves more closely with the Capuchins wear this scapular.

Scapular of St. Dominic (White)

Members of Dominican Lay Fraternities wear this scapular.   It is associated with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Dominic.

Scapular of the Holy Face (White)

This scapular features a picture of the well-known Roman picture connected with St. Veronica.  Members of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face wear this scapular.  Members can, however, wear the picture on a medal or cross, in place of the scapular. No indulgences are associated with the Scapular or medal.

Five-Fold Scapular

This scapular is also known as the Redemptorists Scapular. It combines The Red Scapular of the Passion, The Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity, The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Black Scapular of the Seven Dolors of Mary, and the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception.

There is a blessing and investiture ritual that enrolls the wearer into all five confraternities at once.  Any priest may perform the blessing and investiture.

“When all five scapulars are joined together they must all be strung on bands of red wool, as is mandatory for the Red Scapular of the Passion.  When wearing your Five-Fold scapular the Red Scapular of the Passion should be foremost so that the image of Jesus on the Cross is visible.  The fifth scapular should be that of the Most Blessed Trinity with the image of the red and blue cross exposed.”

One might also assume that wearer needs to meet the requirements for wearing each of the individual scapulars in the five-fold scapular.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Scapular

The Rosary Cafe website says there is also an Our Lady of Guadalupe Scapular.  It states this scapular “is a popular Sacramental among Catholics who have a strong devotion to Mary.  The Scapular MUST be made out of 100% wool. Once you have your scapular blessed, it must be worn at all times in order to share in the indulgences and privileges of the  scapular.”

It’s not clear, however, if this in an approved scapular.  The website also does not provide any additional information about enrollment or indulgences.

Scapular Medals

And, finally, it is also possible to wear scapular medals in place of cloth scapulars.  “In 1910, Pope St. Pius X introduced a scapular medal which may be substituted in most cases for any of the various scapulars. Valid enrollment in the scapulars must, however, be made before the substitution.”

There are many different scapular medals available for purchase today.  However the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith set specifics for scapular medals.  It said they should have on one side an image of “Jesus Christ, showing His Sacred Heart, and the obverse that of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.”