Wearing a Scapular is a popular devotion among Catholics – but what exactly is it? And why are there so many different colors of Scapulars?
History of the Scapular
The name “Scapular” comes from the Latin word scapula, which refers to the shoulder blade, over which the Scapular lays. Originally, the Scapular was a large piece of cloth, similar to an apron, that monks wore to protect their garments [10]. As time went on, it became part of their habit. Today, the laity who wear Scapulars wear two small squares of cloth connected by two threads. The threads lay over the shoulders, and each square lays on the chest and the back.
Then, in 1251, Our Lady appeared to the Carmelite St. Simon Stock [11] in Aylesford, England. She handed him the brown Scapular, the apron-like garment of the monks saying, “Whosoever dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.” Thus, the Brown Scapular that originally had been simply a practical garment, became the Carmelites’ sign of devotion to Our Lady and Her protection.
Over time, the promise was expanded to include the laity who wore the Scapular with devotion. It is a sign of belonging to the Carmelite Order, such as through the Third Order [12], which is a lay order of Carmelites, and a silent prayer to Our Lady [13]. Today, individuals who wish to receive the promise of the Brown Scapular must be enrolled in the Brown Scapular Confraternity [14]. Those who are enrolled also share in all the spiritual benefits of the Carmelite Order, and, with a priest’s dispensation, may substitute the Rosary for the Little Office [15] to receive the Sabbatine Privilege. The Little Office [16] is a shorter form of the Divine Office, which religious are obliged to pray, and it is dedicated to Our Lady. So, the Little Office is more doable for the laity who lead busy lives, and it is a wonderful way for the faithful to dedicate their days to Jesus through Mary.
The Sabbatine Privilege [14] was shared with Pope John XXII, to whom Our Lady appeared and spoke of those wearing the Brown Scapular, saying, “I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in purgatory I shall free so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting.”
To receive this privilege, Our Lady outlined certain requirements:
- The individual must wear the Brown Scapular constantly
- The individual must practice chastity according to their state in life
- The individual must recite the Little Office daily or observe fasts with abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or with a priest’s dispensation, pray five decades of the Rosary, or with a priest’s dispensation, do another good work.
Other Scapular Colors and Devotions
The Catholic Church has approved about 18 different Scapulars [17]. Apart from the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the most well-known include the Green Scapular, the Black Scapular of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception, the Red Scapular of Christ’s Passion, the White Scapular of the Holy Trinity, and the Fivefold Scapular.
The Green Scapular
Ten years after Our Lady gave St. Catherine Laboure [18] the Miraculous Medal, the Green Scapular [19] came to us on September 8th, 1840 (Our Lady’s birthday) in France. Our Lady appeared to another sister in St. Catherine Laboure’s order, the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, named Sister Justine Bisqueyburo.
Our Lady appeared holding Her Immaculate Heart in Her right hand, and the Green Scapular in Her left. The Scapular has the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced with a sword, with the words: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.” She desired this Scapular to be used to heal others and bring conversion through the Immaculate Heart.
Pope Pius IX approved the Green Scapular in 1863 and for a second time in 1870. This Scapular, unlike other Scapulars, does not have many requirements. It is sufficient only that the Scapular be blessed by a priest, that those who wear it pray at least every day (per Our Lady’s urging), and that the Scapular be either worn or placed somewhere in the room.
This is a beautiful Scapular to wear, particularly for those who are in need of conversion or healing of some kind. Our Lady said that it should be “worn by the one whom we desire to benefit by Our Lady’s intercession.” It is efficacious for helping those suffering from mental illnesses and bringing those to (or back to) the Catholic Faith.
It is famous for helping people convert [20], especially those who have fallen away from the Faith, and for healing. The Scapular need not be worn by the intended recipient but can be placed in the home of a loved one who has fallen away. The person who places it there can pray the prayer of the Green Scapular each day on behalf of the recipient.
The Black Scapular of the Seven Sorrows
The history of the Black Scapular [21] starts with the Order of Servants of Mary, who wear a black habit. In the 13th century, some began wearing a black Scapular to match their habit as a devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. In 1611, Pope Paul V approved indulgences for those who wear the Black Scapular or who are part of the confraternities.
The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady are all found in Sacred Scripture, and are:
- The Prophecy of Simeon
- The Flight into Egypt
- Losing Jesus for Three Days
- Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary
- The Crucifixion
- Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
- Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Any Baptized person can be enrolled in the Black Scapular, so long as they are willing to follow the obligations.
The obligations are:
- The individual must wear the Black Scapular
- The individual must pray for 15 minutes daily for the Church and for the Servite Order (the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows is appropriate, with one Hail Mary and Hail Holy Queen at least)
- The individual is also encouraged to perform an act of mercy towards those suffering.
Like the Brown Scapular, those who are enrolled in the Black Scapular and wear it with devotion participate in the spiritual life of the Servite Order. It is a wonderful way to enter into the suffering of Our Lady, to unite our sufferings with Hers, and to meditate on Her life with Christ. The Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bridget of Sweden [22] to promote the devotion to Her Seven Dolors. Apart from wearing the Black Scapular or praying the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, individuals can also pray 7 Hail Mary’s each day in honor of the Seven Dolors. The Blessed Virgin attached seven graces to those who honored Her Seven Sorrows:
- “I will grant peace to their families.”
- “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”
- “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”
- “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”
- “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
- “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death – they will see the Face of their Mother.”
- “I have obtained this grace from My divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to My tears and dolors will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and My Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”
What wonderful promises for such a beautiful devotion! You can find even more prayers in honor of the Seven Sorrows [22] here.
The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception
The Blue Scapular’s history [23] begins in 1617. Our Lord and His Mother appeared to Foundress of the Order of Theatine Nuns, Venerable Ursula Benicasa, after she received Communion. Jesus told her that she would found an order of nuns, whose habit and Scapular would be worn in honor of the Immaculate Conception and who would live in solitude.
Venerable Ursula asked Jesus to extend the graces and gifts He promised to those following this way of life to people living in the world who wear a blue Scapular, practice chastity according to their state in life, and who have a devotion to the Immaculate Conception. Jesus answered her request, showing her a vision of angels giving all the world Scapulars.
Like the previously mentioned Scapulars, the Blue Scapular has a Confraternity that was founded in the 18th century with the Congregation of Marian Fathers.
Individuals who are enrolled in the Marian Fathers Confraternity and faithfully wear the Blue Scapular are able to receive a Plenary Indulgence on multiple feasts throughout the year (under the usual conditions). You can find these feasts here [23].
The Red Scapular of the Passion
The Red Scapular [24] was given by Jesus to Sister Apolline (another Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul) in 1846. The front shows the Crucifixion with the words, “Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ save us.” The back shows angels and the Immaculate and Sacred Hearts, saying, “Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary protect us.”
Jesus said to St. Faustina: “There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood; the contemplation of my painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings me great joy” (Diary 369).
Additionally, countless saints have attested to the great graces of meditating on the Passion, counting it as a great path to holiness.
Why not take advantage of these manifold graces available? Sister Apolline said that the Red Scapular “will prove to us a strong armor against infernal assaults, an impenetrable shield against the arrows of our spiritual enemies,” and Jesus promised that those who wear the Red Scapular will receive increases in faith, hope, and charity each Friday.
The Red Scapular also is tied to devotion to the Sacred Heart [25], making this Scapular a wonderful option for those already dedicated to Christ’s Heart of love for us.
The White Scapular of the Most Holy Trinity
Pope Innocent III [26] approved the Order of the Trinitarians in 1198, when an angel appeared to him wearing a white garment with a red and blue cross. This was the beginning of the White Scapular. The Trinitarian habit followed the garment of the angel in this vision, as does the White Scapular, which came about when the faithful laity wished to partake in the Trinitarian life through confraternities.
Those who join the Confraternity of the Blessed Trinity must be invested in the White Scapular and wear it continuously. The Confraternity also carries indulgences, which were approved in 1899.
The Fivefold Scapular
Can’t decide which Scapular is for you? There’s always the Fivefold Scapular [27] (also known as the Redemptorist Scapular) which is a combination of the Brown Carmelite Scapular, the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception, the Black Servite Scapular, the Red Scapular of the Passion, and the White Scapular of the Most Holy Trinity. While it is always best to choose few devotions and to live and practice those well, the Fivefold Scapular is an option for those who feel called to it.
Originally, the Redemptorists were the only ones who could bless and invest the Fivefold Scapular. But Pope Leo XIII allowed all priests to do so. So, if you are interested in the Fivefold Scapular, you can request any priest to do the blessing and investment. There is a specific ritual to be followed to complete the enrollment, which you can find here [27].
Scapulars are Not “Lucky Charms”
While the promises and graces of these Scapulars are extraordinary, we should never see them as a free ticket to Heaven [28]. They are sacramentals. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it” (CCC 1670 [29]).
God respects our free will. He will not force His grace or salvation onto us. We must cooperate with His grace, respond to His call, and live a virtuous life. Thus, we must work with the graces that we can receive from God through sacramentals.
Pope St. John Paul II emphasized that simply wearing the Scapular will not secure a place in Heaven. Instead, the graces given from God through sacramentals like the Scapular help us to form a habit of conduct and prayer, frequently receive the Sacraments, and practice the works of mercy.
Scapulars are a wonderful way we can grow in the spiritual life and foster a particular devotion. They can be powerful conduits of grace, if we wear them faithfully and follow their practices. May God bless you, Mary guide you, and Joseph protect you!