A scapular is a part of a monk’s robes or a devotional item worn by devout Catholics. Monastic scapulars are ancient and consist of bands of cloth that run over the shoulders, while lay scapulars consist of two cloth pendants connected by bands that are placed over the shoulders. Scapulars can be found in Catholic religious stores and are also available in churches and religious offices. Some people like to purchase scapulars as they travel to various holy places.
The term “scapular” is used to describe two different things within the Catholic Church. In the first sense, a scapular is part of a monk’s robes, in which case it may be known as a monastic scapular. In the second sense, a scapular is a devotional item worn by devout Catholics, typically under their clothing. Lay scapulars, as they are sometimes called, are believed to bestow special blessings on the wearer.
Monastic scapulars are quite ancient in the Christian tradition. They consist of bands of cloth that run over the shoulders of the wearer, explaining their name; “scapular” comes from the same Latin root as “scapula,” which means “shoulder blade.” The design of a scapular varies according to the order to which the monk belongs. Some scapulars are quite long, reaching down to the floor, while others are much shorter and the scapulars can be hooded or unhooded.
The lay scapular is closely related to the monastic scapular. Laymen are welcome to worship in many monasteries and laymen were once given monastic robes but were not entitled to the full regalia of monks, since they had not taken their vows. As a result, lay monks began wearing smaller devotional scapulars to celebrate their faith and ask for the blessings of various saints.
The lay scapulars consist of two cloth pendants connected by bands that are placed over the shoulders. The wearer places one scapular across the chest and the other across the back, essentially like a large necklace. Some people also wear metal or wooden scapulars, although these are not approved by all Catholic religious orders. Once a scapular wears out, it needs to be replaced.
In some cases, someone must belong to a specific fraternity in order to wear a particular scapular. In other cases, a scapular need only be blessed by a priest before it can be worn. When purchasing a scapular, it’s a good idea to ask about restrictions on its wear, as Catholics believe that if you wear a scapular associated with a particular fraternity without belonging to that group, you will not receive the scapular’s benefit.
Scapulars can be found in Catholic religious stores and are also available in churches and religious offices. Some people like to purchase scapulars as they travel to various holy places, in hopes of receiving some sort of double blessing.
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