The Brown Scapular FAQs
History and Promises
1. What is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel?
The Brown Scapular is a religious garment given to the world by the Mother of God in 1251. It consists of two small woolen panels connected by cords, usually worn beneath regular clothing. It is a "universal devotion" because numerous popes and saints have urged all Catholics to wear it.
If you would like to receive an affordable, high-quality Brown Scapular or read an exciting account of why everyone should wear one, click here.
2. What is the history and “Promise” of the Brown Scapular?
In 1251, in the English town of Aylesford, the Mother of God appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a Carmelite priest. She physically gave him the Brown Scapular, and then made this extraordinary promise:
"Whosoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. It is a sign of salvation, a sure safeguard in danger, and a pledge of peace and my special protection until the end of the ages."
3. How do you receive Our Lady’s promise?
Wear the Brown Scapular continuously and become enrolled or “invested” by a Catholic priest.
4. In general, what is a Catholic devotional scapular and what is the origin of the term?
The word scapular was originally used to denote a religious cloak worn by clergy and nuns. These kinds of religious garments are typically part of a religious “uniform” called a habit. Devotional scapulars (such as the Purple or Brown Scapular) are small versions of religious clothing which a Catholic can wear under or over their regular clothing.
We have two shoulder blades, and in medical terms these are called “scapula” bones. Cloaks are worn over our shoulders. A Catholic devotional scapular is a stylized religious garment that you wear over your shoulders, and thus, has a front and a back panel.
Prayers and Enrollment
5. Am I required to say special prayers or do particular actions when I wear the Brown Scapular?
No special prayers or actions are required. This is why wearing it is called “the silent prayer.” Wearing it is the prayer.
There is a traditional prayer associated with wearing the Brown Scapular and most people also kiss their scapular when they put it on. The prayer itself, kissing the scaplar, and a more detailed explanation of both are provided in Questions 18 and 19.
6. Who may be enrolled or invested in the Brown Scapular?
Any baptized Catholic—including Catholics in various Eastern, Orthodox, or other Rites in union with the Roman Catholic Church—of any age, may be invested. Children are traditionally enrolled on the day of their First Holy Communion, but this is not required. Even babies and toddlers can be enrolled.
7. Can Christians who are not Catholic, or people who are not baptized, wear the Brown Scapular? Can they be invested or enrolled in the Brown Scapular?
Yes, non-Catholics, baptized or unbaptized, can wear this scapular. There is nothing intriniscally wrong with anyone wearing it as an act of trust in Our Lady's extraordinary promise. In fact, we strongly recommend doing so.
However, only Catholics can be enrolled or invested. Only Catholics can be certain of receiving the spiritual benefits.
8. Who can enroll or invest a person in the Brown Scapular?
Any priest can enroll you. This is done using approved Catholic prayers.
These enrollment prayers are provided in the gift box of the Mary Foundation Brown Scapular. You can also print out an English and Latin copy here to bring to a priest.)
9. Who invests Catholics in the Brown Scapular? How long does it take? When is a good time?
Any Catholic priest can enroll you. It takes just a few minutes. Most priests will be happy to do so for you after Mass, hearing your Confession, or by making an appointment.
You can easily find nearby Catholic churches, and Confession and daily or Sunday Mass schedules here.
10. Are there a particular prayers for enrollment?
Yes. The approved Catholic prayers are provided in the gift box of the Mary Foundation's Brown Scapular, or you can print out a copy for the priest here.
11. What is the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular?
By decree of the Catholic Church, with the blessing of popes, by becoming invested, you automatically become a member of the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
You now belong to a spiritual family whereby you are permanently affiliated with the Carmelite Order in addition to receiving the promise of Our Lady by wearing the Brown Scapular.
12. Is written registration with the Confraternity required?
No. In centuries past, an invested person would be listed in an official Confraternity Register by the parish priest. Because the Brown Scapular has become such a universal devotion, the Church dropped the requirement for written registration.
13. How do I enroll in the Confraternity?
The investment prayers of the priest include enrollment of a person in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular.
14. Can an ordained deacon enroll a person in the Brown Scapular?
No, only a priest can enroll or invest someone in the Brown Scapular.
Wearing the Scapular
15. How is the Brown Scapular worn?
The scapular is to be worn over the shoulders and around the neck so that one panel hangs over the chest while the other panel hangs over the back. It is essentially a miniaturized, stylized version of the religious cloak worn by the Carmelites.
16. Must I always wear the Brown Scapular?
Yes. With the common-sense exception of bathing and showering, the saints and popes have always taught that wearing the Brown Scapular is an act of faith and an unceasing silent prayer. Sleep, vanity, fear, embarrassment, or inconvenience (such as during physical exertion, swimming, and sporting activities, as well as while wearing dresses, open shirts, bathing suits, blouses, etc.) are not acceptable reasons to take it off.
17. Should I wear the Brown Scapular while I am sleeping?
Yes.
18. Is there a prayer to offer when I put on my Brown Scapular?
Yes, although it is optional. Here is a modern-language translation of the traditional Carmelite daily consecration prayer used for this purpose:
O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with it the offering of my every thought, word, and action on this day.
O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit available, and I offer them, along with my very self, to Immaculate Mary, that she may best apply them to the desires of your most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Amen.
Of course, you may pray the above prayer at any time, especially as a morning prayer—even if you do not take your scapular off after you wake up.
19. Should I kiss my scapular when I put it on or take it off, even if I do not offer the traditional prayer? Is it okay to pray other prayers?
Yes and yes. It is an ancient practice to kiss the brown scapular whenever you put it on or take it off. If you are not offering the traditional prayer, we recommend a brief, appropriate prayer of your own choosing, such as "I love you, Jesus," "Immaculate Mary, pray for me," "Jesus, I trust in you," "O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us,"—or even, simply, "Amen," because wearing the Brown Scapular is a prayer itself.
A partial indulgence can be merited whenever you kiss your Brown Scapular as an act of reverence. Please refer to Question 39 for a more detailed explanation.
20. May the scapular be fastened or pinned to my clothing?
A person may sew or pin one or both of the scapular panels onto a garment to keep it in place—this is especially helpful for babies and toddlers.
21. What if the wearer is allergic to wool?
If you have an allergy to wool or persistent irritation of your skin, you can wear the wool scapular over clothing, encase the wool scapular in plastic, or, wear the approved Brown Scapular medal. As with other kinds of woolen clothing, a brief period of mild skin irritation is not uncommon for people who wear the scapular for the first time.
22. Is this scapular required to touch the skin?
No. It may be worn over other clothing.
23. Should I bring an extra Brown Scapular while traveling?
Yes. Because of the inherent change in routine, packing, and the scheduling pressure (and as often happens with other belongings), it is easier to lose your scapular while traveling, so keeping an extra one in your toiletry kit is highly recommended.
Also, traveling companions could lose or break a scapular. Finding a replacement on short notice is usually impossible.24. It is okay for others to see my scapular?
Yes. If someone happens to see your scapular in the open or poking through your clothing, wear it with dignity. Never allow yourself to be embarrassed about this wordless sign of your love for Mary.
If you are new to wearing it, it is helpful to keep in mind that over time, because of the consolation of its profound spiritual benefits, virtually everyone who faithfully wears the Brown Scapular actually grows uncomfortable without it.
If others remark about your scapular, you should allow this to become an opportunity to share your Catholic faith and Our Lady’s promise.
25. May I take my scapular off temporarily to shower, bathe, or for medical situations?
Yes. However, it is best to keep your scapular within arm’s reach while bathing. There are numerous cases of deaths caused by falls, strokes, or heart attacks that have occurred in bathroom settings whereby the deceased was able to put his or her scapular back on before passing away (sometimes with the assistance of a loved one).
If you undergo a serious medical procedure or surgery, please make sure to pin the scapular to your medical garment.
Getting a Blessing
26. Should your Brown Scapular be blessed?
Yes, especially in the sense that the Catholic Church teaches that all sacramentals should be blessed (as with medals, crucifixes, rosary beads, statues, images, etc.). The blessing sets them aside by God, and thus confers upon them a character of holiness.
27. Who can bless my Brown Scapular?
Any Catholic priest or deacon.
28. How do I go about having my scapular blessed?
Most priests will be delighted to bless your Brown Scapular after Mass, after hearing your Confession, or even by appointment. You can easily locate nearby Catholic churches, find Confession times, and read daily or Sunday Mass schedules here.
We recommend you consider bringing an extra Brown Scapular as a thank you gift so he can use it himself or pass it on to a loved one.
29. Is it okay for me to receive Brown Scapulars that are already blessed, especially if I plan to give them as gifts to friends or relatives who may not understand the need for having them blessed or are unwilling to have them blessed?
Yes. For this reason, as a free service, the Mary Foundation, one of America’s most trusted distributors of Brown Scapulars, makes sure all of its scapulars are blessed by a Catholic priest.
As another free act of charity, we sprinkle each scapular with Lourdes water before touching it to our founder’s Relic of the True Cross, and to his first-class relics (bones) of Saints Jude, Anthony, Thérèse of Lisieux, Francis Xavier, and Benedict.
Because we consider them “tools for evangelization,” our scapulars arrive in a free gift box with the official Enrollment Prayers. They are available at our cost for a modest donation.
Materials Guidelines
30. Do the scapular panels have to be made primarily of woven wool?
Yes.
31. May I use a plastic or metallic chain instead of a cord to hold the panels?
Yes.
32. What is the required shape or size of the scapular panels?
The panels must be rectangular or square. There is no required size. Traditionally, the panels are approximately one inch in width or length, but usually under two inches.
33. Can Brown Scapulars have images on them?
Yes. Brown Scapulars almost always feature Catholic pictures or words, usually images of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Simon Stock, a cross, or the Carmelite shield. Typically, a brief version of Our Lady’s promise is featured on one panel. The brown color must be prominent on one side of both panels.
34. Does the scapular have to be brown?
As a general rule, yes. There are are over a dozen Church-approved scapulars that come in various colors with different traditions or purposes. Because the Brown Scapular is essentially a smaller version of the brown Carmelite religious habit, brown is the required color.
Although rarely seen modern times, because some Carmelites wore black habits during their long history, black wool is also permitted.
35. May I substitute a Brown Scapular medal for any reason other than serious skin allergies?
Yes, in addition to serious allergic reactions, the Church permits the medal to be substituted under extraordinary climate circumstances, such as trips or missions to subtropical regions.
36. If I need to replace a lost or damaged scapular, do I need to be re-invested in the Confraternity?
No. Investiture is permanently granted to the person, not to the scapular itself.
Cleaning
37. Can I wash my Brown Scapular?
Yes. Like other clothing, the Brown Scapular can be washed.
It is extremely helpful to keep an extra scapular on hand in your bathroom or bedroom to swap out with a wet or soiled one until the other dries or is washed.
38. How long will my Brown Scapular last?
As with other clothing, how long your scapular lasts greatly depends on its grade of woven wool, how carefully it is sewn, cord quality, and even your personal activities. The best scapulars are hand-made and will last for many months or even years, even after numerous washings.
Cheaply-made scapulars with low-quality materials will break easily, wear out quickly, fade in color, or deform after washing. Obviously, a scapular which breaks while you are sleeping or during normal activities is a spiritual risk.
Warning: Beware of shoddy, mass-produced—usually Chinese or Asian—knock-offs. In addition to wearing out quickly or breaking unexpectedly, it is also increasingly common for these to be made from synthethic or non-wool fabrics, despite false advertising claims to the contrary. The Catholic Church requires real woven wool to ensure the promise presented in Question 2.
Indulgences and Privileges
39. What are the indulgences associated with the Brown Scapular?
If one fulfills the conditions required by the Church, a plenary indulgence is merited upon being enrolled in the Brown Scapular.
A partial indulgence is merited every time you kiss the Brown Scapular. This encourages the practice of doing so before donning or taking off your scapular for showering, when you are getting dressed, and so on.
40. What is the Sabbatine Privilege?
The so-called Sabbatine Privilege is of unsupported historical origin, based upon an alleged papal document that never existed and rumors that a vision of Mary was supposedly given to Pope John XXII during the fourteenth century.
Nevertheless, the Privilege is a notion that a person who dies wearing a Brown Scapular will enter into heaven on the first Saturday after death, even if he or she would otherwise deserve a period in purgatory beyond that day. The favor was also conditional, requiring worthy yet challenging practices of virtue, daily prayer, or fasting. (Sabbatine means "Saturday".)
Catholics do not need to lend credence to Sabbatine Privilege claims, although it is easy to find outdated (or merely poorly-researched) sources which give a contrary impression.
In recent times, after the unreliable origins were exposed, the Catholic Church merely acknowledged a possibility of a Sabbatine Privilege, but not on the basis of private revelation. It did so upon the sound theological basis that, although it may be fitting because the Church traditionally honors the Mother of God on Saturdays (just as Our Lord's passion is honored on Fridays), such a favor does not constitute a guarantee of divine origin. In layman's terms, an “early” release from purgatory may be granted by our merciful Father for many reasons, including to a departed soul through Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s intercession.
41. Is the Brown Scapular superstitious?
No. Although it is of heavenly origin, the promise does not negate free will or enable its wearer to defy God's unchanging moral law without consequence. You should still strive to remain free from mortal sin throughout your life by receiving the Sacrament of Confession as needed. It does not magically "fool God" into allowing unrepentant sinners to unjustly enter heaven.
In fact, over the centuries, numerous accounts have been recorded of brazen sinners, who, just before death, forgot to put on their scapulars, had scapulars fall off without realizing it, or, pulled their own scapulars off due to burning sensations or extreme discomfort. On the other hand, there are many eye-witness accounts of repentant sinners who died in accidents, but not before a priest became available to hear their Confessions under extremely unlikely or even miraculous circumstances.
After all, a scapular is a piece of cloth with no inherent power (although a blessing by a priest does confer a holy character to material objects). The supernatural truth your scapular represents, however, is real: eternal salvation is a gift from God which Our Lady longs for you to receive. Your freely-chosen commitment to wearing it, as an act of faith, gives rise to the theological virtue of hope that her son, Jesus, will provide the grace you need to remain close to Him and grow in holiness over your lifetime.
And you confirm your faith during every moment you wear it, demonstrating a childlike trust in God's mercy. It signifies your acceptance of Mary's open-ended, motherly offer look after you during every moment of your life and to intercede for you to receive the saving grace of true contrition for your sins at the hour of your death.These FAQs were written by the bestselling novelist, Bud Macfarlane, who started the Mary Foundation in 1991.
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