Inexpensive Or Free Scapulars?

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='26 July 2010 - 02:54 PM' timestamp='1280174065' post='2148339']
It is not 'wrong' to wear one without enrolling, but I don't see why you wouldn't.
[/quote]

For me, it wasn't that I would want to wear a Scapular without enrolling, but I wouldn't know how to enroll.

Just as I don't know how to get a Rosary "blessed" because I don't know any priests. It would feel strange to approach a priest I didn't know and ask to have a Rosary blessed. I live in an area where there are LOTS of Catholic churches within a few miles, but I'm not ready to "open a relationship" with a priest or to have to answer questions. (Not to mention that driving isn't easy, even for a few miles, so I tend to reserve it for things that HAVE to be done--doctor's appts. etc. And, no, I have not one single person in my life that I can ask to drive me, and cabs are very expensive. And, I wouldn't expect a priest to bless something by mail from an unknown person--he would have no idea if the Rosary was going to be used for Satanic reasons.)

I do have a Catholic church within a few blocks of me, but I especially don't want to approach them because I would feel pressured, and don't want to get their hopes up. They would bring up RCIA classes, etc. and although their intentions would be good, I would feel pressured. (Not to mention that I am not well enough to attend an RCIA class of several hours once a week for months.) Also, the church is closely associated with the Sisters that live across the street from me. I feel like my privacy is violated enough by the fact that the Sisters know all my comings and goings, and I feel like I have to keep all my shades drawn all the time. They are not doing it for any negative reason whatsoever. It's just that after living 50 years or so in a community where everyone knows everything about you, it wouldn't occur to them that a person who lives alone might be used to quite a bit more privacy. And, they are so sweet, I would never tell them.

Edited July 26, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Lil Red]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='26 July 2010 - 01:58 PM' timestamp='1280177928' post='2148398']
For me, it wasn't that I would want to wear a Scapular without enrolling, but I wouldn't know how to enroll.

Just as I don't know how to get a Rosary "blessed" because I don't know any priests. It would feel strange to approach a priest I didn't know and ask to have a Rosary blessed. I live in an area where there are LOTS of Catholic churches within a few miles, but I'm not ready to "open a relationship" with a priest or to have to answer questions. (Not to mention that driving isn't easy, even for a few miles, so I tend to reserve it for things that HAVE to be done--doctor's appts. etc. And, no, I have not one single person in my life that I can ask to drive me, and cabs are very expensive. And, I wouldn't expect a priest to bless something by mail from an unknown person--he would have no idea if the Rosary was going to be used for Satanic reasons.)

I do have a Catholic church within a few blocks of me, but I especially don't want to approach them because I would feel pressured, and don't want to get their hopes up. They would bring up RCIA classes, etc. and although their intentions would be good, I would feel pressured. (Not to mention that I am not well enough to attend an RCIA class of several hours once a week for months.) Also, the church is closely associated with the Sisters that live across the street from me. I feel like my privacy is violated enough by the fact that the Sisters know all my comings and goings, and I feel like I have to keep all my shades drawn all the time. They are not doing it for any negative reason whatsoever. It's just that after living 50 years or so in a community where everyone knows everything about you, it wouldn't occur to them that a person who lives alone might be used to quite a bit more privacy. And, they are so sweet, I would never tell them.
[/quote]
catch a priest after Mass. ha ha. they're in a rush, so it's the perfect time to get a rosary blessed and you won't have to answer any questions.

honestly, i've never had a priest (that i didn't know) ask me why i wanted something blessed (other than, "is it for someone?") and it takes 2 seconds. (well, not quite, but you catch my drift). honestly - do you think they care that much that they would really intrude, or is your own pride that tells you so? (i'm honestly not trying to be offensive. just that usually when i subscribe motives to someone - i.e. they'll ask me a bunch of questions, etc. - i find out that they really don't care or have forgotten who i am - a painful lesson in humility God keeps letting me learn.)

scapular enrollment, though, is done by a priest and is a bit more than just asking for something to get blessed. http://www.freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_enrollment.html

God bless you!

[the_rev]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='26 July 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1280178832' post='2148402']
catch a priest after Mass. ha ha. they're in a rush, so it's the perfect time to get a rosary blessed and you won't have to answer any questions.

honestly, i've never had a priest (that i didn't know) ask me why i wanted something blessed (other than, "is it for someone?") and it takes 2 seconds. (well, not quite, but you catch my drift). honestly - do you think they care that much that they would really intrude, or is your own pride that tells you so? (i'm honestly not trying to be offensive. just that usually when i subscribe motives to someone - i.e. they'll ask me a bunch of questions, etc. - i find out that they really don't care or have forgotten who i am - a painful lesson in humility God keeps letting me learn.)

scapular enrollment, though, is done by a priest and is a bit more than just asking for something to get blessed. http://www.freebrownscapular.com/brown_scapular_enrollment.html

God bless you!
[/quote]

I think the problem for Ignatius here on PM is that she is not Roman Catholic but rather practices in the Anglican faith. As a result, a priest is not readily available for her to ask her to bless her Roman Catholic sacramentals.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='the_rev' date='26 July 2010 - 03:03 PM' timestamp='1280181793' post='2148434']
I think the problem for Ignatius here on PM is that she is not Roman Catholic but rather practices in the Anglican faith. As a result, a priest is not readily available for her to ask her to bless her Roman Catholic sacramentals.
[/quote]
duh. i know that. but she mentioned that there are several parishes nearby - leading me to assume she could drop by as one parish is getting out of Mass and ambush a priest.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='26 July 2010 - 05:09 PM' timestamp='1280182165' post='2148439']
duh. i know that. but she mentioned that there are several parishes nearby - leading me to assume she could drop by as one parish is getting out of Mass and ambush a priest.
[/quote]

Yes, I could ambush a priest, the Mass times of the Catholic church near me are on the Internet.

Of course, with my luck, he'd be in a "fellowship" mood and say, "I don't believe I've seen you before. Are you new to the area?"

Or, one of the Sisters that recognizes me would be at the Mass. And she'd mention it to another Sister who'd mention it to another Sister. Sisters know everything.

It's okay, Rosaries work just as well without being blessed. God understands. He has blessed mine for me.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='26 July 2010 - 05:41 PM' timestamp='1280191302' post='2148490']
Yes, I could ambush a priest, the Mass times of the Catholic church near me are on the Internet.

Of course, with my luck, he'd be in a "fellowship" mood and say, "I don't believe I've seen you before. Are you new to the area?"
[/quote]
usually that happens to me when i'm in a really big hurry