One thing many aren’t aware of too, if and when your scapular breaks or if you get a new one, it does not need blessed again nor do you need enrolled again. Literally just buy a new one and put it one.
Just a couple comments to round out the wonderful Brown Scapular devotion...
1. Ever since 1910, both the Holy See and the Carmelite Order have approved the use of a scapular medal in place of the brown cloth scapular ,with the decision of which form of this devotion to use being left up to the individual. The medal carries the same meaning and spiritual blessings as the cloth. It is a easy to get medal with the image of Jesus with his Sacred Heart on one side and an image of Our Lady on the other.
2. Re: The "after-death & salvation promises" of the Brown Scapular. As pointed out in the article the origin of the scapular vision and alleged promises are more legend than historical fact. As far back as 1613 the Holy See declared these to be historically unfounded and instructed the Carmelites to cease and desist on this matter. Sadly, most Carmelites did not comply. And sadly, this gave rise to a borderline superstitious flavor to an otherwise beautiful devotion to Jesus through Mary. The Church's and Carmelite's official catechesis on devotion of the brown scapular can be found in a handy small manual on Amazon https://a.co/d/dn3gRik
Hiding a green scapular in his possessions is more like what I would expect (from someone simultaneously pragmatic and credulous) but perhaps this has already been done.
Yeah that seems like it would be more effective, and if someone could sneak one into Kamala Harris’ possessions and Gov. Walz’s possessions, that would be great too. From what I know about Trump, I think it’s highly unlikely from what I know of Trump that he will actually wear the scapular. Maybe he’ll give it to JD Vance. Senator Vance has been straying from Catholic teaching on abortion and on the dignity of refugees and immigrants. I recommend every Catholic in a position of power or pursuing a position of power be enrolled in the brown scapular and wear a green scapular. I was enrolled in the brown scapular by an elderly diocesan priest who was my spiritual director and I have a green scapular that I also wear that was blessed by my parochial vicar that I started wearing when my mental illness was at its worst point, as one of the charisms of that scapular is healing.
It can, if there is some problem or issue that reasonably keeps a person from wearing the cloth scapular, such as allergies, chafing, perspiration, etc.
Thank you. I didn't realise there are conditions attached to the wearing of a scapular medal. I used to wear a cloth one but it often got so badly entangled with the Crucifix and Miraculous Medal on my chain that I could see myself being killed by the scapular! :D
Folks having scapulars for other reasons (e.g. Benedictine oblates, Third Orders, etc) were not included in that, so there may be some different conditions there. For example, there's a rescript (that I can't find an original of, just references to) that gives permission for Benedictine Oblates to wear a medal instead of a scapular.
If a child can reasonably wear the Brown Scapular or a medal and can practice some form of Carmelite spirituality (such as praying some Marian prayers every day and trying to imitate Mother Mary) and most importantly Wants to be enrolled, it should be possible, ask your priest.
There was a previous custom for decades of enrolling whole First Communion classes, but the problem was they usually weren't instructed very well about the meaning and purpose of the scapular, so they didn't realize you were supposed to say prayers in addition or that it was the Carmelite habit, etc. Also in my experience, as someone who.tried to wear the scapular a couple times as a kid/ teen and failed, many of the cloth scapulars sold at gift shops are not sturdy enough to last very long when an active child, teen, or even busy adult is wearing them. They break the strings and their cheap dye may bleed on clothing. A scapular medal is often more sturdy. I currently wear a very sturdy cloth scapular from Scapulars dot Com but those are relatively expensive.
The good sisters enrolled us at about First Communion time. We were told to wear it and pray to Mary daily. I caught mine on something while running and almost decapitated myself. I've got one hanging around the house on a peg.
I'd like to take this opportunity to direct those interested in the Brown Scapular to the official Scapular Catechesis of the Carmelite Order by Fr Sam Morello. It should be the same one as the booklet linked by Deacon David Previtali below, only the Carmelite Order makes this information available on the web for free. It contains the current info and requirements for Catholics regarding the Brown Scapular, what prayers should be said, whether it needs to be made of wool (answer: not any more) and many other questions. While it's wonderful that so many want to wear the Brown Scapular, there's also so much misinformation/ old out-of-date information about it on so many websites that I have been posting this catechesis to people online at least once a month for literally years. I have been enrolled in the small Brown Scapular since 2017 and am also now several years into formation as a Secular Carmelite, so I try to promulgate the correct info about the Brown Scapular whenever possible. I appreciate that the Pillar's info is all correct, good job as usual. https://www.carmelitefriarsocd.org/blog/brown-scapular
A question for those that wear a brown scapular (I do not wear one, and am not planning on wearing one but very curious to learn): Is the scapular meant to be seen by others? In other words, is meant to be worn over clothes, and fully visible to my fellow sinners? Or is it supposed to be worn inside clothes, away from curious eyes, and as a small mortification? Thanks!
It's generally worn under the clothes, but there isn't any real aim of hiding it. Originally it was much larger, considered a sort of mini-habit, and I maybe then it was worn over the clothes. I don't know that it would count as a small mortification, it's not uncomfortable. I typically wear the medal though.
For the small scapular, it's okay if it shows, but the more usual practice is to wear it under your clothes, for purposes of both humility and helping it to stay on you better as it tends to slide around if not anchored by a person's underwear/ clothing worn on top.
I wear mine under my shirt, as I was taught, but the way I have it tied generally means the top end will stick out the back of a T-shirt at the slightest hint of physical activity on my part. While this is a very reliable conversation starter (and great opportunity for evangelization and/or witness) when my secular friends alert me that my "tag" is sticking out, my favourite response to date has been simply, "your piety is showing".
it's the small devotional form of the Carmelite habit. It's a way of associating oneself spiritually with the Carmelite spirituality. It is worn under clothes. It isn't a "mortification." It's a sacramental.
The Confraternity of the Brown Scapular is a canonical entity formally connected to the Carmelites, to which the vast majority of enrollees in the Brown Scapular do not belong. This is made explicitly clear in the US Carmelite friars' booklet of Catechesis and Ritual on the Brown Scapular.
The same booklet includes information about canonically erected Brown Scapular Confraternity groups and, for instance, indulgences that are granted specifically to the formal members of that group (not to other Scapular enrollees, and not even to Secular Carmelites).
One thing many aren’t aware of too, if and when your scapular breaks or if you get a new one, it does not need blessed again nor do you need enrolled again. Literally just buy a new one and put it one.
Keeping a spare one or two in your sock drawer in case the one you are wearing breaks is a good idea. That’s what I do.
Just a couple comments to round out the wonderful Brown Scapular devotion...
1. Ever since 1910, both the Holy See and the Carmelite Order have approved the use of a scapular medal in place of the brown cloth scapular ,with the decision of which form of this devotion to use being left up to the individual. The medal carries the same meaning and spiritual blessings as the cloth. It is a easy to get medal with the image of Jesus with his Sacred Heart on one side and an image of Our Lady on the other.
2. Re: The "after-death & salvation promises" of the Brown Scapular. As pointed out in the article the origin of the scapular vision and alleged promises are more legend than historical fact. As far back as 1613 the Holy See declared these to be historically unfounded and instructed the Carmelites to cease and desist on this matter. Sadly, most Carmelites did not comply. And sadly, this gave rise to a borderline superstitious flavor to an otherwise beautiful devotion to Jesus through Mary. The Church's and Carmelite's official catechesis on devotion of the brown scapular can be found in a handy small manual on Amazon https://a.co/d/dn3gRik
The Catechesis is also made available online for free by the Carmelites at https://www.carmelitefriarsocd.org/blog/brown-scapular
Hiding a green scapular in his possessions is more like what I would expect (from someone simultaneously pragmatic and credulous) but perhaps this has already been done.
Yeah that seems like it would be more effective, and if someone could sneak one into Kamala Harris’ possessions and Gov. Walz’s possessions, that would be great too. From what I know about Trump, I think it’s highly unlikely from what I know of Trump that he will actually wear the scapular. Maybe he’ll give it to JD Vance. Senator Vance has been straying from Catholic teaching on abortion and on the dignity of refugees and immigrants. I recommend every Catholic in a position of power or pursuing a position of power be enrolled in the brown scapular and wear a green scapular. I was enrolled in the brown scapular by an elderly diocesan priest who was my spiritual director and I have a green scapular that I also wear that was blessed by my parochial vicar that I started wearing when my mental illness was at its worst point, as one of the charisms of that scapular is healing.
Praying for our leaders: always a great thing to do!
I think the cloth scapular can be legitimately substituted by a scapular medal.
It can, if there is some problem or issue that reasonably keeps a person from wearing the cloth scapular, such as allergies, chafing, perspiration, etc.
Thank you. I didn't realise there are conditions attached to the wearing of a scapular medal. I used to wear a cloth one but it often got so badly entangled with the Crucifix and Miraculous Medal on my chain that I could see myself being killed by the scapular! :D
So now I wear a medal.
I'm not sure of the current rules. In the early 20th century, Pope Pius X allowed a medal to be worn without restrictions. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/scapular-medal-2105
Folks having scapulars for other reasons (e.g. Benedictine oblates, Third Orders, etc) were not included in that, so there may be some different conditions there. For example, there's a rescript (that I can't find an original of, just references to) that gives permission for Benedictine Oblates to wear a medal instead of a scapular.
Thank you.
What are the guidelines for enrolling children?
If a child can reasonably wear the Brown Scapular or a medal and can practice some form of Carmelite spirituality (such as praying some Marian prayers every day and trying to imitate Mother Mary) and most importantly Wants to be enrolled, it should be possible, ask your priest.
There was a previous custom for decades of enrolling whole First Communion classes, but the problem was they usually weren't instructed very well about the meaning and purpose of the scapular, so they didn't realize you were supposed to say prayers in addition or that it was the Carmelite habit, etc. Also in my experience, as someone who.tried to wear the scapular a couple times as a kid/ teen and failed, many of the cloth scapulars sold at gift shops are not sturdy enough to last very long when an active child, teen, or even busy adult is wearing them. They break the strings and their cheap dye may bleed on clothing. A scapular medal is often more sturdy. I currently wear a very sturdy cloth scapular from Scapulars dot Com but those are relatively expensive.
Thank you for your very thorough reply. I appreciate your help.
The good sisters enrolled us at about First Communion time. We were told to wear it and pray to Mary daily. I caught mine on something while running and almost decapitated myself. I've got one hanging around the house on a peg.
I'd like to take this opportunity to direct those interested in the Brown Scapular to the official Scapular Catechesis of the Carmelite Order by Fr Sam Morello. It should be the same one as the booklet linked by Deacon David Previtali below, only the Carmelite Order makes this information available on the web for free. It contains the current info and requirements for Catholics regarding the Brown Scapular, what prayers should be said, whether it needs to be made of wool (answer: not any more) and many other questions. While it's wonderful that so many want to wear the Brown Scapular, there's also so much misinformation/ old out-of-date information about it on so many websites that I have been posting this catechesis to people online at least once a month for literally years. I have been enrolled in the small Brown Scapular since 2017 and am also now several years into formation as a Secular Carmelite, so I try to promulgate the correct info about the Brown Scapular whenever possible. I appreciate that the Pillar's info is all correct, good job as usual. https://www.carmelitefriarsocd.org/blog/brown-scapular
A question for those that wear a brown scapular (I do not wear one, and am not planning on wearing one but very curious to learn): Is the scapular meant to be seen by others? In other words, is meant to be worn over clothes, and fully visible to my fellow sinners? Or is it supposed to be worn inside clothes, away from curious eyes, and as a small mortification? Thanks!
It's generally worn under the clothes, but there isn't any real aim of hiding it. Originally it was much larger, considered a sort of mini-habit, and I maybe then it was worn over the clothes. I don't know that it would count as a small mortification, it's not uncomfortable. I typically wear the medal though.
thank you!
For the small scapular, it's okay if it shows, but the more usual practice is to wear it under your clothes, for purposes of both humility and helping it to stay on you better as it tends to slide around if not anchored by a person's underwear/ clothing worn on top.
thank you!
I wear mine under my shirt, as I was taught, but the way I have it tied generally means the top end will stick out the back of a T-shirt at the slightest hint of physical activity on my part. While this is a very reliable conversation starter (and great opportunity for evangelization and/or witness) when my secular friends alert me that my "tag" is sticking out, my favourite response to date has been simply, "your piety is showing".
it's the small devotional form of the Carmelite habit. It's a way of associating oneself spiritually with the Carmelite spirituality. It is worn under clothes. It isn't a "mortification." It's a sacramental.
Nothing against Trump but what will happen to the relic of the Cross?
The Confraternity of the Brown Scapular is a canonical entity formally connected to the Carmelites, to which the vast majority of enrollees in the Brown Scapular do not belong. This is made explicitly clear in the US Carmelite friars' booklet of Catechesis and Ritual on the Brown Scapular.
The same booklet includes information about canonically erected Brown Scapular Confraternity groups and, for instance, indulgences that are granted specifically to the formal members of that group (not to other Scapular enrollees, and not even to Secular Carmelites).