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 SCAPULAR

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SCAPULAR

the members fulfil faithfully the not easy conditions necessary for obtaining this privilege (see Sabbatine Privilege).

As regards the external form of the scapular, it should consist of two segments of brown woollen cloth: black, however, is also admissible. This scapular usually bears on one side the image of our Lady of Mount Carmel, but neither this nor any other image is prescribed. The authentic list of indulgences, privileges, and indults of the Scapular Confraternity of Blount Carmel was last approved on 4 July, 1908, by the Congregation of Indulgences. It is note- worthy that this summary says nothing of the above- mentioned first privilege; what it says of the Sab- batine privilege is explained in the article on that subject. Concerning the often miraculous protection which Mar>' on account of this her badge has granted to pious members of the Scapular Confraternity in great perils of soul and body, there exist many rec- ords and reliable reports (some of recent times), to which it is impossible to refuse credence. Like the rosar>', this scapular has become the badge of the devout Cathohc and the true servant of Mary (cf. op. cit.; Beringer, "Les indulgences", 3rd ed., II, 244 sqq.).

D. The Black Scapular of the Seven Dolours of Mary. — Shortly after Alexander IV had sanctioned the Ser\ate Order in 1255, many of the faithful of either sex associated themselves with the order in ecclesiastical confraternities in honour of the Seven Dolours of Marj'. The members of this Confra- ternity of the Seven Dolours of Mary also wore in later times a scapular, which, like the habit of the order, had to be of black cloth. In other respects nothing is prescribed concerning this scapular, al- though it usually bears on the front portion (over the breast) an image of the Mother of Sorrows. This scapular must likewise be worn constantly, if one wishes to gain the indulgences of the confraternity. The summary of indulgences was last approved by the Congregation of Indulgences on 7 March, 1888. Priests may obtain from the General of the Servites the faculty to "receive the faithful into the confraternity and to bless and invest with the scapular (cf . Beringer, "Die Ablasse", 13th ed., pp. 680 sqq.; "Les in- dulgences", 3rd ed., II, 277). For the history of the scapular consult especially Giani, "Annales Ord. Servorum B. Mariai Virginis", III (2nd ed.), 25.

E. The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Concep- tion. — The Venerable Ursula Benicasa, foundress of the Order of Theatine Nuns, relates in her autobiog- raphy how the habit which she and her sisters were to wear in honour of the Immaculate Conception was revealed to her in a vision. When Jesus Christ had in return promised great favours for her order, she begged the same graces for all the faithful who should devoutly wear a small sky-blue scapular in honour of the Imma^;ulate Conception and to secure the con- version of sinners. Her petition having been granted, she henself dis.seminated such scapulars, after they ha<^l been blessed by a priest. This devotion bore such rich fruits that Clement X by the Brief of 30 Janijary, 1071, expressly granted the faculty to bless and invest with this scapular. Clement XI grant(!d certain indulgences for the wearing of the scapular, and succeeding popes increased the number. The summary was approved by the Congregation of In- dulgencf* first in 1845 and finally on 26 August, 1882 (Rescr. auth. S. C. Indulg., pp. 574 sqq., n. 57). Only the blue woollen cloth is essential and necessary. The scapular usually bears on one portion a symbolization of the Immaculate Conception and on the other the name of Mary. In 1894 a con- fraternity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God Mary was erect<'d in the Theatine Church of S. Anrlrea delia Valle at lix)me. In the same year it was endowed with various in-

dulgences, and then raised to an archconfratemity (cf. Analecta ecclesiastica, p. 189 sq.). According to the statutes of the confraternity admission is effected by the blessing and investing with the Blue Scapular, the presentation of the small chaplet of the Immaculate Conception, and the enrolling of the name in the register of the confraternity. However, those who received the scapular before 18 September, 1894, are not obliged to have themselves enrolled in the confraternity. Similarly, priests who may have received the faculty only of blessing and investing with the scapular may continue to exercise it. At present priests who receive this facultj'' from the General of the Theatines, receive simultaneously the faculty of admitting the faithful into the confraternity, and must forward the names of those admitted to Rome or to some other canonically erected confra- ternity of this kind (Beringer, "Die Ablasse", 13th ed., 424 sqq.; "Les indulgences", 3rd ed., I, 560).

F. The Scapular of the Most Precious Blood. — Priests who can receive the faithful into the Con- fraternity of the Precious Blood have also the faculty of blessing and investing these with this red scapular (or a red girdle). No special indul- gences, however, are connected with the wearing of this scapular, and the wearing of it is left optional to the members of the confraternity. For the scapu- lar it is prescribed only that it be of red cloth. The scapular as used in Rome bears on one portion a representation of the chalice with the Precious Blood adored by angels; the other segment which hangs at the back is simply a smaller portion of red cloth (Beringer, "Die Ablasse", 13th ed., 618; "Les in- dulgences", 3rd ed., II, 161).

G. The Black Scapular of the Passion. — It is related in the hfe of St. Paul of the Cross that, before founding the Congregation of (lie Passionists, he received in apparitions the black habit of the order with the badge on the breast. Later, after the foundation of the congregation, the Passionist Fathers gave the faithful who wished to associate themselves more closely with their order a black scapular in honour of the Passion of Christ. This bears an exact replica of the badge of the Passion- ists, namely a heart above a cross, on which is written "Jesu XPI Passio" and below "sit semper in cor- dibus nostris". The other portion of the scapular, hanging at the back, consists simply of a small segment of black woollen cloth. At various times indulgences have been granted to the faithful who wear this scapular, the summary being last approved by the Congregation of Indulgences on 10 May, 1877. The Superior-General of the Passionists com- municates to other priests the faculty to bless and invest with the scapular (" Rescr. auth. S. C. Indulg.", Ratisbon, 1885, pp. 571 sqq., n. 56).

H. The Red Scapular of the Passion owes its origin to an apparition which Jesus Christ vouchsafed to a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1846. Jesus Christ showed the sister a scapular, such as is worn, and promised to all who should wear it on every Friday a great increase of faith, hope, and charity. Th(! apparition having been several times repeated, and finally in the following year reported to Pius IX, the latter sanctioned the; scapular by a Rescri[)t of 25 June, 1847, and granted the Priests of th(» Mission (the Lazarists) the faculty of blessing the scapular and investing the faithful with it. He simultaneously granted many indulg(!nc(!s for the wearing of the scapular. The Superior-General of the Lazarists can communicate the faculty of blessing and investing with this scapular to other regular or secular i)riests. The scapular and bands must both be of red woollen material. On one woollen segment Jc!sus Christ is r(!presented on the Cro.ss; at the foot of the Cross are the implcunents of the Passion, and about it are the words: "Holy Passion