Brown Scapular....inside Or Out?

[brookemz]

[color="#330099"] [font="Garamond"][size=5]I have a couple of questions about the brown scapular. I received one from the Irish Carmelites. My first question is: Is it appropriate to wear it over your clothes, or should it be worn underneath?

Second question: I heard that the scapular must be blessed by the priest, etc. Is this necessary, or can I just wear it and say the prayers?

Thank you!!!! : [/color][/font][/size]

[Lil Red]

moved for response

[Mr.Cat]

The cloth Brown Scapular may be worn by anyone and ought to have the cords of the scapular (if small for laity) over the shoulders having each square/rectangle piece on the front and back of the torso and backside. If it is worn on the outside of your clothes or the inside is moreover a personal decision but traditionally one would wear it between one’s undershirt (undergarments) and outer clothes.

The medal Brown Scapular may be worn by anyone but one ought to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular Confraternity and have the medal blessed. Likewise this could be worn inside one’s clothes or outside, because it is more durable a lot of people enjoy it where the weather is more humid. Although, it is preferable that one use a cloth scapular.

The investing prayers of the Brown Scapular ought to be done by a Priest, but any Priest may perform the investing prayers which are normally done for most Catholics at the first Holy Communion. One may although wear the Brown Scapular, namely the cloth, without being invested by a Priest. The cloth Brown Scapular does not have to be blessed but is blessed by the fact that one would be enrolled in the confraternity. Although, one may have it blessed if one feels so compelled.

[b]I would strongly advise that one understand the history, marionolgoy, promises, and obligations of the Brown Scapular before one took up serious devotion to it. But [u]then again this is only my advise[/u][/b].

I hope this helps...

[Resurrexi]

I really don't think Our Lady cares (BTW I would not say the same sort of thing about a Dogma or a Sacrament or an official public prayer of the Church), though the official response from the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular is that it should touch the skin.

I would say all one's scapulars should be blessed, though the official response from the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular is that only one's first scapular, i. e. the one he is invested in, must be blessed and the replacements need not be.

[Mr.Cat]

I never heard of the touching skin thing, I am going to have to look that up. (Not that I am disagreeing at all, I just never heard of it before.)

[cmotherofpirl]

I keep mine in my pocket because it always gets caught in my hair.