Why we wear a scapular:


My family members are all wearing the brown scapular. We've been asked what they're for; what they represent, why we wear them. Even a lot of other Catholics don't follow this practice! It is NOT mandatory to do this if you're Catholic; it is a personal practice following the request of Our Lady, and following the example of many saints who were dedicated to this.

The brown scapular "identifies us, like a habit identifies a religious, or a uniform identifies a person. The Scapular represents a life of prayer." - Fr. John Corapi.
The Scapular is actually a miniature form of a monk's habit by the same name which is a sleeveless outer garment falling from the shoulders to the feet.

It is a sign which stands for the decision to:
-follow Jesus like Mary
-be open to God and to His Will
-be guided by faith, hope and love
-to pray at all times
-to discover God's presence in all that happens around us

WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT:The Brown Scapular is a magical charm to protect you; is an automatic guarantee of salvation or is an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life.

It is NOT to make us feel like we are better or more holy than those who don't wear it; it is not to make those who don't follow this practice feel guilty.

The Scapular encourages us to live as authentic Christians in line with the teaching of the Gospel, to receive the sacraments, to profess our special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, which should be expressed each day, at least by saying the Hail Mary.

Saints devoted to the Brown Scapular:

St. Teresa of Avila
St. Simon Stock
St. John of the Cross
St. Alphonsus Liguori
St. Peter Claver
St. Robert Bellarmine, SJ
St. Claude de la Colombiere, SJ
St. Vincent Pallotti
St. John Vianney, Cure of Ars
St. Bernadette Soubirous, visionary of Lourdes
St. John Bosco
St. Maximilian Kolbe
St. Francis Xavier Cabrini
Pope St. Pius X
St. Conrad

Pretty darn good roles models, if you ask me!

The morning prayer to be said for those who wear the scapular:

O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Scapular as a sign of
your consecration; partial indulgence also), I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all
the altars throughout the world, joining with It the offering of my every thought, word and action
of this day. O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can and I offer them
together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them in the interest of Thy
most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Hope this helps those who are curious understand a little more of a great tradition!