Purple Scapular FAQs
History, Promises, and Prayers
1. What is the Purple Scapular?
The Purple Scapular is a sacramental object primarily used for display on a wall in a home. It consists of two purple wool panels connected by cords. It is a heavenly gift which promises divine protection for your family against natural disasters, storms, supernatural chastisements, and even intruders.
If you would like to read an account of why everyone should have one, click here.
2. What is the history of the Purple Scapular?
In 1878 the Purple Scapular was given to the world by the Mother of God in a vision to the approved French mystic, Marie-Julie Jahenny. Jesus also appeared to Marie-Julie with explanations and promises regarding this scapular.
3. Is the Purple Scapular known by another name?
Yes. The full name is the Purple Scapular of Benediction and Protection.
4. What are the promises and protections of the Purple Scapular?
Our Lady promised Marie-Julie that those who possess this scapular “will see their family and home protected… from fires, chastisements, storms, and darkness. They will have light as if it were plain day.”
Crucially, it is also “like a lightning rod beneath which the blows of divine wrath will not strike.”
Our Lord revealed that those who reverently use it “will be spared the troubles of the soul” and “will be sheltered from danger as if they already possess heaven.”
5. How can I receive the divine protections of the Purple Scapular?
You can display, carry, or wear the Purple Scapular. Most people display this scapular on a wall near the entrance of the home. You can also wear it or carry it with you in your pocket, in a handbag, in your car, and so on.
6. What is one of the easiest ways to learn about the history and promises of the Purple Scapular as well as the meanings of the specific images as Jesus and Mary explained them?
Each of the two Purple Scapular panels present multiple and detailed Catholic images of the Passion and Death of Christ, with a focus on the Thirteenth Station of the Cross, when Jesus, now expired, was held in his mother’s arms.
The following brief video, which is beautifully produced, relies upon the words which Jesus and Mary themselves spoke to Marie-Julie Jahenny. Watching this video is the best way to understand the profound theological meaning heaven wishes to convey regarding the specific images embedded within the overall scenes or related symbols:
7. Why am I just learning about the Purple Scapular now?
Our Lady herself described the scapular as “unknown,” and until the Mary Foundation recently began making them available in late 2020, an authentic Purple Scapular was extraordinarily difficult to find. During the apparitions, in anticipation of this scarcity, Jesus stated that even those with the mere “desire” to have one would receive “great graces.”
To this day, seeing a Purple Scapular in the home of a friend or relative is how most people discover this divine insurance policy for families. We believe, like the crucifix or an image of Mary, it is destined to be a fixture in every Catholic household. By displaying one on your wall, you are helping fulfill the desire of Jesus and his mother for every home to be graced with a Purple Scapular, which, until our times, was largely hidden from the world.
8. Do I need to say special prayers?
Yes. Brief prayers were given directly to Marie-Julie Jahenny by Our Lady and by Jesus. The Purple Scapular available from the Mary Foundation comes with a religious card featuring the official Purple Scapular Prayers.
9. Where can I read, or print out, the Purple Scapular Prayers?
You can read them online or print them out here.
10. Do you need to be enrolled or invested in the Purple Scapular?
No.
11. Is there any confraternity or special Catholic organization I need to join to receive the divine protection?
No.
Displaying the Scapular
12. Is any special mounting required to display a Purple Scapular on a wall?
No. Many people use one or two hooks or nails of their own choosing, or hang the Purple Scapular on something already mounted on the wall, such as another religious image or crucifix. Some people frame their scapular and/or its associated prayers.
13. Where is the best place to display the Purple Scapular in my home?
We recommend that it be displayed prominently. It should be in a place where you will see it on a daily basis that is also appropriate for an important religious item.
The most popular location is a wall near the entrance of the home, which will allow you to gaze upon your Purple Scapular every time you come and go. Doing this will help you sense the consolations of protection associated with the Purple Scapular as well as serve for a reminder to offer the simple prayers.
You can also choose your living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, or an area designated for prayer.
14. Can I display more than one Purple Scapular in my home, for example, one at the entrance and another in a main room or place of prayer?
Yes. The founder of this website and the Mary Foundation, Bud Macfarlane, prefers, like many people, to keep more than one in his home. He displays one on a wall near the entrance of his home and another in his living room where he prays. He also keeps one in his car.
15. It is okay to also store or hang a Purple Scapular in my car?
Yes.
Getting a Blessing
16. Should your Purple Scapular be blessed?
Yes, especially in the sense that the Catholic Church teaches that all sacramentals (medals, crucifixes, rosary beads, statues, images, etc.) should be blessed. The blessing sets them aside by God, and thus confers upon them a character of holiness.
17. Who can bless my Purple Scapular?
Any Catholic priest or deacon.
18. How do I go about having my Purple Scapular blessed?
Most priests will be delighted to bless your Purple 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 Purple Scapular as a thank you gift so he can display it in his own residence or pass it on to a loved one.)
19. It is okay for me to receive Purple 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, America’s leading distributor of authentic Purple 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, Benedict, and Maximilian Kolbe (beard).
Because we consider them “tools for evangelization,” our scapulars arrive in a free gift box with the official Prayer Card and an explanation of the Purple Scapular’s divine promises. They are available at our cost for a modest donation.
Purple Scapulars and Their Materials
20. 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.
21. What is the shape and size of the Purple Scapular?
The panels are rectangular. The Purple Scapular is large compared to most Catholic scapulars—slightly larger than the size of the palm of an average person’s hand, which makes it appropriate for home display. The panels are typically 3.5 inches in width and 4.5 inches in length.
22. Why are there knots in the cord and what do they mean?
A Purple Scapular has three knots in one cord and two knots in the other for a total of five knots. Their significance was not revealed to Marie-Julie Jahenny.
Given the general theme of the imagery, it is reasonable to prayerfully contemplate that the five knots may represent the five wounds of Christ’s crucifixion.
23. Do the scapular panels have to be made of woven wool?
Yes. Our Lady described the panels as "flannel" in Marie-Julie Jahenny’s visions. Because flannel is woven material, woven wool panels are needed for a Purple Scapular to be considered authentic and in accord with the specifications given by Mary. Additionally, all scapulars are smaller versions of religious garments (please refer to Answer #20), which are always made from woven material.
24. Can the scapular panels be made of wool felt?
No. Felt is pressed bits of fiber, not woven fabric.
Please Note: Because the woven wool needed to make the panels is expensive and requires human craftmanship to dye and sew properly, many so-called “Purple Scapulars” available from mainstream online sellers on Etsy, eBay, and Amazon (and Catholic retailers who may not know better) usually have panels made from inexpensive and easily-procured wool felt or partial-wool felt.
Our professional research has also confirmed that shoddy knockoffs from China and other countries have panels and cords that are almost uniformly manufactured using felt, faux-wool, or other synthetic materials, despite false advertising claims to the contrary.
25. Do the scapular cords have to be made of woven wool?
Yes. This was confirmed in Marie-Julie Jahenny’s visions.
Please Note: With the rise of synthetic materials, textile manufacturers have abandoned the use of wool to make cords. Therefore, worsted woolen cords must be custom-ordered in bulk. As a result, virtually all Purple Scapulars available from online sellers on Etsy, eBay, and Amazon have cotton-based or synthetic-material cords.
26. Does the material with the Pieta image sewn onto the panels need to be made of woven wool?
No. Almost all Catholic scapulars have traditional images attached or embroidered onto their panels. The images on the Purple Scapular were described by Marie-Julie as “painted” (which was the only way many scapular images could be produced at the time), so they should not be embroidered.
The material used for the Pieta image on the Purple Scapular does not have to be made of wool if the panel to which it is attached is made of woven wool. For the Mary Foundation’s Purple Scapular, the panel for the chalice, sponge, crown of thorns, and nails is wool-based and uses a dying process to produce the images.
27. Is the red piping around the border of the panels necessary?
Yes. Marie-Julie Jahenny described this detail when Our Lady showed her the Purple Scapular.
Wearing and Cleaning
28. How is the Purple Scapular worn?
This scapular may 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. All scapulars are articles of clothing: they are essentially smaller versions of a religious cloak, also known as a habit (please refer to Answer #20).
29. 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, as long as the cord remains attached.
30. What if the wearer is allergic to wool?
As with other scapulars, if you have an allergy to wool or persistent irritation of your skin, you can wear it scapular over clothing or encase the wool scapular in plastic. As with other woolen clothing, mild skin irritation for a few days is not uncommon for people who wear a scapular for the first time.
31. May I use a plastic or metallic chain instead of a cord to hold the panels?
No.
32. If worn, is this scapular required to touch the skin?
No. It may be worn over other clothing.
33. Must I always wear the Purple Scapular?
No. Wearing it is a voluntary act of faith.
34. Can I wash or dry-clean my Purple Scapular?
Yes. Like other clothing, the Purple Scapular can be washed. Fading is natural and does not affect the promises, although Purple Scapulars which are displayed on walls rarely, if ever, need cleaning; they may be dusted or carefully vacuumed.
35. Should I bring an extra Purple Scapular while traveling?
Yes, if you wish. Your protections promised by heaven follow the scapular wherever you bring it.
36. How long will my Purple Scapular last?
If you display it on a wall, a premium Purple Scapular should last for decades and could be passed down through the generations.
If you wear it, and as with other clothing, how long your scapular lasts greatly depends on its grade of 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 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.
37. It is okay for others to see my scapular?
Yes. If someone sees your scapular in your home or poking through your clothing, consider it a blessing. Never allow yourself to be embarrassed about this wordless sign of your trust in Mary.
If you are new to this devotion (and most people are), it is helpful to keep in mind that over time, because of the consolation of its protections, virtually everyone who is faithfully devoted the Purple Scapular actually grows uncomfortable not having one.
If others remark about your scapular, allow this to become an opportunity to share your Catholic faith and its heavenly promises.
Approval by the Catholic Church
38. Is the Purple Scapular approved by the Catholic Church?
Yes. Despite claims to the contrary, the Purple Scapular is effectively approved. Since its inception, devotion to it has never been suppressed nor discouraged by the Church. Introduced for universal devotion over one-hundred and forty years ago, it has been in continuous use as a sacramental by the faithful ever since.
Of course, no Catholic is required to display it, just as they are not required to have crucifix in their home, wear a Brown Scapular, or carry a Miraculous Medal.
In this matter, we refer Catholics to the balanced conclusions of the well-known exorcist and esteemed theologian, the Rev. Chad Ripperger, PhD, SMD.
Marie-Julie Jahenny was also a stigmatist—that is, she bore on her body the crucifixion wounds of Christ (as have many saints). No one disputes this. In 1875, three years before her Purple Scapular apparitions, she was fully investigated and formally approved by her local ordinary, Bishop Fournier of Nantes. Additionally, a representative of the Vatican Commission who was monitoring her case performed an exorcism over her and declared that her experiences were supernaturally granted by heaven.
39. Does the Purple Scapular’s Church approval differ from other scapulars?
Yes. There are numerous approved Catholic scapulars. Most are associated with a particular religious order (such as the Brown Scapular of the Carmelite Order). Because religious congregations are not formally governed by local bishops, many scapulars have required some type of Vatican or papal approval.
The Purple Scapular, however, is derived from private revelations to a well-known mystic who was publicly approved by her local bishop (with the support of a Vatican commission). Thus, in accord with Church governance, the approval of the local bishop is all that is required for “official” approval of this scapular by the Catholic Church.
Because devotion to the Purple Scapular is practiced universally throughout the world, a formal Vatican investigation and an officially promulgated declaration would be required to disapprove it. No such investigation, much less disapproval, exists, nor is one ever likely to take place.
40. Is the Purple Scapular superstitious?
No. All Catholic scapulars are pieces of cloth with no inherent power, although the blessing by a priest does confer a holy character to material objects. The supernatural truth the Purple Scapular represents, however, is real: divine protection as a gift which Mary and Jesus desire you to receive. Your decision to display it is an act of faith. You are trusting Our Lady’s promise that our loving God will protect your home—or physical person, if you wear or carry it—from danger.
Thus, you confirm your faith in the supernatural reality beyond the veil of this world during every moment you display it. However imperceptibly, you receive Mary’s consolations every time you gaze upon it. You are giving witness to your childlike trust in God's love and protection that others can physically see whenever they enter your home.
Because of their reverent use of blessed sacramentals such as medals, images, scapulars, and crucifixes, Catholics have always been—and always will be—falsely accused of superstition by those who deny the supernatural reality of God's Kingdom.
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Why Display a Purple Scapular?
History of the Purple Scapular
Mary and Jesus Reveal and Explain
the Purple Scapular to the WorldFrom the mystical vision given to Marie-Julie Jahenny, August 23, 1878. Editor's notes are in parenthesis.
(Marie-Julie Jahenny) This is what the Holy Virgin shows me on her Immaculate Heart. It is a large scapular, larger than ordinary scapulars. It is a little larger than the palm of the hand.
It is a pretty violet (purple), nearly the color of a violet.
Here is what is on top. In the middle are the three nails which crucified Our Lord on the Cross. They are placed above each other, not quite in the shape of the Cross, and at the point of each nail, there is a drop of purple blood.
Above the heads of the nails, there is a kind of large sponge which has pieces of bark that stand out; it is a little like bales of oats.
The three drops of blood join to fall into a small chalice painted red, and the chalice is surrounded by a crown of thorns. There are three little Crosses engraved on the front of the chalice. That is the side of the scapular which is on the middle cloak of the Holy Virgin.
I notice that this scapular is held with two violet ties which go over each shoulder. There are three knots on the left shoulder and two on the right.
The other side of the scapular represents the Holy Virgin Mary sitting, holding her adorable son in her arms, the mouth and the head of Our Lord rest on the heart of the Holy Virgin.
At the bottom of the scapular, and nearly at the feet of Our Lord, is an angel dressed in white, with curly hair. He has on his head a white crown. His belt is red. He holds in his hands a white cloth with which he wipes the feet of Our Lord.
Next to the angel, on the right side of the scapular, there is an engraved ladder.
Behind Our Lord, on the left, is the reed of the Passion painted red, but there is no sponge.
The tears of the Holy Virgin flow onto her breast, to the right, and fall to the feet of the angel.
The scapular is edged with a red band and the cords are made of wool.
(Our Lady then speaks to Marie-Julie Jahenny)
"Let me now, my dear child,” the Virgin Mother said to me, “give you the explanation of this scapular. I am addressing you, my victim and my servant."
(This servant likely refers to Jahenny's spiritual director.)
"My children of the Cross, for a long time my son and I have wished to make known this scapular of benediction. This scapular, my children, is modeled on my heart, because my heart is the emblem of simplicity and humility, which explains the color of violet."
"The nails which have pierced the feet and the hands of my son are barely venerated and are venerable. That is why my son, in his divine wisdom, has had three nails painted on the front of the scapular."
"Those three drops of blood and the chalice represent the generous hearts gathering the blood of my divine son. The red sponge will represent my divine drinking, in a certain sense, the sins of his children, but which his adorable mouth refuses."
"I wish that the background black of the scapular should be violet, but I wish that the nails, the chalice, the sponge and the crown should be on a dark red piece of flannel (wool)."
"This first appearance of this scapular will be a new protection for the times of the chastisements, the calamities and the famines. All those who will wear it will be able to go through storms, tempests and darkness, they will have light as in broad daylight. Such is the power of this unknown scapular."
(Jesus then speaks to Marie-Julie Jahenny)
The Holy Virgin presents the scapular to Our Lord who, in His turn says: "I address you my victim and also my victims and my servant, my children of the Cross. I wish to and I come to give you an idea and a profound idea: When taking me down from the Cross, I was given to My Mother. That descent, that idea—that devotion (to my descent) is little known. I wish that by the reproduction of this scapular, it should enter the hearts of my children of the Cross, and that they hail me by these three greetings:
I hail Thee, Jesus crucified, for granting me life.
I hail thee with all the joy of the angels and saints during your descent from the Cross.
I hail thee with the sadness of your mother while you rested on her Immaculate heart and lap.
(Jesus continues.) "My children, very few souls think of wiping the adorable wounds on my feet when the blood flows and I wish this representation to be known. Little thought is also given to the tears shed by my mother during my passion. Those tears are at the feet of the angel who wipes my sacred feet. By this scapular, I wish you to think about that ladder, that reed, and those nails of my passion."
"My children, any soul, any person who will possess this scapular, will see his family protected, his house will also be protected, firstly from conflagrations (fires), which will never penetrate it."
"This scapular will crush the ungrateful who will blaspheme My Name in the house where it will be exposed. If an impious enters, he will be so struck that his conversion will occur. All those who will wear it will be protected from thunder, sudden death and accidents. During the chastisements they will be protected."
"Whoever places it in the Holy Temple will drive out the impious and the profanations."
Our Lord also adds that by reminding an obstinate soul about this scapular at the time of death, it will reawaken in it faith and conviction, that all those who will think about it and love it will be spared the pains of the soul, that those who will wear it will be sheltered from all danger as if they possessed Heaven, and finally, that this scapular will be like a lightning conductor beneath which the blows of just Divine Wrath will not strike.
Our Lord also says: "Any priest will be able to bless this scapular. You, My victim, will be able to make the model... While wearing this scapular the 'Crux Ave' may be said five or seven times and meditate for one to three minutes on My Passion... I will grant great graces to those who will wish to wear this holy Habit."
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