THEOLOGY OF THE BLUE SCAPULAR

This depiction of the Virgin Mary is found on the title page of the Portuguese edition of the book, Information about the Scapular of the Immaculate Conception, dating from 1758. The inscription below the picture attributes original ownership to Bl. Stanislaus Papczyński.

The scapular, along with the rosary, is one of the oldest and most popular forms of devotion to the Most Holy Virgin. It is considered to be one of the so-called sacramentals or "sacramentalia". In many of her apparitions (to St. Dominic, to the Servant of God Ursula Benincasa, and to the Fatima children) the Blessed Mother has pointed to the scapular as a means of sanctification and salvation. The Church, too, often recommends its use.

The Church's Approval

The Marian sacramentals or sacramentalia are deeply valued by the Church. The Second Vatican Council says:

The sacred synod teaches this Catholic doctrine advisedly and at the same time admonishes all the sons of the Church that the cult, especially the liturgical cult, of the Blessed Virgin, be generously fostered, and that the practices and exercises of devotion towards her, recommended by the teaching authority of the Church in the course of centuries, be highly esteemed, and that those decrees, which were given in the early days regarding the cult images of Christ, the Blessed Virgin and the saints, be religiously observed. (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, # 67)

Pope Paul VI, further elaborating on the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, talked about the great significance of the scapular. In March of 1965, he said:

May the faithful have great reverence for the exercises and pious practices associated with the devotion to the Most Holy Virgin Mary, which in the course of centuries were approved by the Church. ... The rosary to Mary and the scapular are among the recommended exercises. ... The scapular is a practice which, due to its simplicity, is suitable for everyone and which has spread widely among the faithful Christians to their spiritual benefit.

The scapular is directly connected with the contemporary Marian spirituality promoted by Pope John Paul II. As such, it it focused on devotion, trust, and dedication to the Mother of God. It was Pope Pius XII who pointed to this element when on the 700th anniversary of the existence of the scapular he addressed a letter to the Carmelite Fathers in which he wrote: "Dedication is the contemporary form of Marian devotion. ... Your scapular is a sign of dedication to Mary."

This statement clearly shows why the Blue Scapular is still significant in today's culture: the people who wear it declare solemnly that they do not want to dedicate their lives to the passing matters of this world, but — like Mary — to God alone, and want to live immaculately — without sin.

The decree of dedication recited by the people receiving the Blue Scapular speaks clearly about surrendering oneself to the "bondage of love". It is no wonder that the Blue Scapular is a sign of the Blessed Mother's special recognition for us as her children. The first and most important conclusion flowing from all of the above is that those who wear the scapular are embraced by the Blessed Mother with a special love because of their devotion to God and to her. Thus, the scapular makes us uniquely her own.

The Biblical Foundations

As we look for the biblical foundations of the Blue Scapular, we might point to the theology behind wearing a special garment, present both in the Old and the New Testaments. The Holy Scriptures teach that meeting God required putting on a special garment. The garment was to be clean, without stain, and washed (see: Ex. 19:10-14; Lev. 14:9; Num. 19:7), holy (see: 1 Chr. 16:29; Ps. 96:9), and solemn (see: Ezra 3:10). In the book of Revelation, a reference is made to people who "have not soiled their garments" (see: Rev. 3:4), to those "clad in white robes" (see: Rev. 3:5; 6:11; 7:13), and those wearing robes that have been "washed in the blood of the Lamb" (see: Rev. 22:14).

The scapular is a reference to this "new" garment. Those who wear it express their desire for holiness, for remaining in union with God, and for making their entire lives a liturgy to the glory of the Lord.

The Mystical Meaning

The scapular has a profound mystical meaning as a reference to the protective mantle of the Madonna, the external garment which Mary places over people turning to her in need. The oldest version of the 3rd century prayer, Under Your Protection, contains the words: "Under the mantle of your mercy... ." This truth is depicted in many images of the Blessed Mother coming from the same period in which the scapular originated. In the mystical interpretation, it is possible to believe that the scapular is a piece of Mary's garment, received from her hands and guaranteeing her constant protection to those who wear it. Hence, the recommendation that those who wear the scapular should often recite the prayer Under Your Protection.

The Spirituality of the Order of the Immaculate Conception

As mentioned above, wearing the scapular signifies participation in the spirituality and privileges of the order with which the scapular is associated. It is, therefore, worth knowing what kind of spirituality the Servant of God Ursula chose for the Theatine Hermits (nuns). Among other things, their rule required abstinence from meat throughout their entire lives (exception was made for the sick), and fasting on all vigils of Marian feasts, with particularly strict fasting before the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Corpus Christi. Apart from the fasts mandated by the Church, their rule required them to fast every Saturday and during the last two days of Mardi Gras; and on every Friday — which also entailed five hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. In addition, the rule allowed every nun who was accepted for the profession of perpetual vows to spend one day beforehand in conversation with her nearest family member. Afterwards, however, she could never see them again. The rule forbade any contact or communication with the outside world. (The food was delivered to the convent by means of a turnstile).

As we remember, the Infant Jesus in Sister Ursula's vision extended his blessing both to the nuns and to lay people who wear the Blue Scapular, who have a special devotion to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception, and who observe chastity according to their vocation. Although lay people are not obliged to live the strict eremitic life, they should realize that their wearing of the scapular would not be dignified if they did not live in their state of life (married, religious, single) the way that Mary desires. Their rule should be to live such a life that the Blessed Mother can be truly present. They are called to be "holy and unblemished before God", as St. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians (1:4).

Special Graces

The Lord Jesus promised special gifts and assistance in life to those who piously wear the Scapular of the Immaculate Conception.

Of course, all this does not mean the scapular should be used mechanically. The scapular is a sign of a certain attitude and disposition of the heart. This disposition indeed guarantees receiving the means necessary for salvation, since wearing the scapular endows one with many graces promised by the Blessed Mother and granted by the Church. The people who wear the Blue Scapular express their desire to become like Mary Immaculate, which means to avoid any sin and to live in union with God. The people who want to wear the scapular with dignity desire to be holy! St. Louis Grignion de Monfort believed that wearing the scapular is one of the most important forms of Marian devotion.

Symbolism

One might ask if the scapular did not begin to lose its significance since it began to be worn under the clothing rather than externally. As we know, it even assumed the form of a medal.

Let us recall here the theology of Gothic cathedrals. Many of them are decorated with magnificent sculptures placed high under their vaulted ceilings or even on their roofs where only God could see them. The Gothic cathedral is considered to be the masterpiece of sacred art since this work was not for people but for God Himself. Such is the case, too, with today's scapular: God, not the people, sees it and rejoices in it. Wearing the scapular under the clothing is a practice in the spirit of Jesus' order: "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Mt.6:6). The scapular hidden under the clothing is no longer a sign for the people, but a sign for God, for the Blessed Mother and for those who wear it.

Let us also mention an erroneous and dangerous understanding of the scapular which can be encountered in people of "small faith ". Some who are susceptible to superstition and magic, see the scapular as a talisman which guarantees salvation and access to promised graces regardless of their way of life. As St. Louis stated, "There is no other thing in Christianity more worthy of condemnation than this satanic impertinence."

The Role of the Scapular

The role of the scapular in the history of the world is similar to that of the rosary. It is intended as a sign of conversion, unity with God, and daily striving for holiness. As St. Dominic prophesied in the 13th century to Br. Angelus: "One day, through the rosary and the scapular, the Most Holy Virgin Mary will rescue the world."