Scapulars

In this category we have gathered the scapulars we offer for sale. They are made by Carmelite nuns. Originally, on our religious store, we only offered the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is the best-known and most popular scapular, and to which the greatest graces are attached, principally that of being preserved from the flames of hell. This scapular was given by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to the Carmelite order, and as a result, some Carmelite women's monasteries have specialized in making these objects of piety. But as customers were asking us for other scapulars, it seemed natural to turn to a Carmelite monastery for their manufacture.

Origin of the scapular

Originally the scapular was the working habit of monks; it is a long strip of cloth the width of the chest or shoulders and it descends more or less low in front of and behind the person. Over time, the scapular became an essential part of the habit of monks and certain religious orders (Benedictines, Carmelites, Dominicans, etc.). Gradually, the orders themselves were joined by a second, then a third order (third orders), then by oblates, who received from their respective religious orders the scapular, sometimes shorter, corresponding to the order's vestment. This scapular, part of the religious habit, was given the name "grand scapulaire" in contrast to the scapulars of the confraternities, known as "petits scapulaires". Laymen received this large scapular with the intention above all of dying and being buried in this garment.

Later and gradually, all confreres of the various associations came to be given the scapular of their respective religious Order, but in a reduced form, so that they could wear it day and night, as a badge. These associations thus became scapular confraternities; and the four oldest scapulars became the insignia of the four confraternities attached to the Carmelites, the Servites, the Trinitarians and the Order of Notre-Dame de la Merci et du rachat des captifs. However, the history of the origin of these first four scapulars remains rather obscure. It is likely that in the 16th c., the expansion of religious life brought about by the Counter-Reformation, led to the use of small scapulars.

The diversity of scapulars

The Dominicans and Franciscans had the large scapular for their Third Orders. In the second half of the 19th century, the Benedictines also had their small scapular and their confraternity. Since 1903, there has been a small scapular of St. Dominic, although it is not attached to a confraternity. Other religious congregations were given the power to bless the small scapular without having to join a confraternity; this is the case of the Capuchin scapular of St. Joseph. There are also small scapulars that do not belong to a religious order, but only to a confraternity, such as the scapular of St. Michael in Rome. Conversely, some brotherhoods have a scapular, but membership of the brotherhood does not require the imposition of the scapular.

Heavenly intervention in the origin of certain scapulars

Another distinction can be made between scapulars according to their origin: some have a supernatural origin, given directly by Heaven following a vision or apparition, such as the scapular of Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel, the scapular of Pellevoisin, the green scapular, the scapular of Saint Joseph of Itapiranga. This list is not exhaustive. On the other hand, other scapulars have an apparently human origin: the scapular of St. Joseph of the Capuchins, the scapular of St. Michael, etc.... But the fact that these scapulars were approved by the Catholic Church shows that the Holy Spirit is also at the origin of these religious articles.