In the post I’ll explain a variety of scapulars and then explain how you can benefit from all of them without having to wear a stack of five scapulars under your shirt.

A scapular is a piece of wool (not plastic or paper – get rid of those fake scapulars) that is worn on around the neck so that it rests on the chest and back. The term derives from the Latin scapula meaning shoulders. Throughout history, the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared asking for these to be made and attaching promises to them. The scapular is a badge or  symbol that the person wearing it places a certain confidence in the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of Christ.

I’m a huge advocate of the Brown Scapular and its promises. Please read my article “Checklist of Popular Marian Devotions.”

There are, however, other scapulars approved by the Catholic Church. Let’s look at a few of them:

The Green Scapular of the Immaculate Heart. It is not a true scapular in that it is one single woolen square, not two. This is the only scapular that need not be worn but can be carried. It is common for this scapular to be given to someone you hope to be cured or converted. 

The Trinity Scapular of The Most Blessed Trinity. This is a small white scapular with a red and blue cross. The Order’s founder, St. John de Matha, had a vision during his first Mass of two Christian captives, one of whom held a staff with a red and blue cross on top. From this vision St. John knew he was destined to work among captives for their redemption. Tradition also holds that in 1198, an angel wearing a white garment with a blue and red cross appeared to Pope Innocent III.

The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception. It is associated with the Theatines of the Immaculate Conception and was approved by Pope Clement X in 1671. It is now also associated with St. Bernadette and the miraculous apparitions at Lourdes because Our Lady said to the girl, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

The Red Scapular of the Passion. One side bears an image of the Heart of Jesus and the heart of Mary in their traditional representations, the other an image of Jesus on the cross, the instruments of the passion at His feet. The scapular must be made of red wool and the bands connecting the two squares must be red woolen material as well. 

The Black Scapular of the Seven Sorrows. Associated with the Servite Order. It is black wool and has an image of Our Lay of Sorrows on the front piece. 

Now, if you’d like to be enrolled in all these scapulars with their promises and indulgences, you may be uncomfortable wearing a stack of scapulars around your neck.

Some Catholics opt for the Five Fold Scapular which was promoted by St Alphonsus’ Redemptorists. It is a combination of five of the most popular scapulars: the Carmelite Brown, Servite Black, Theatine Blue, White Trinity, and Red Passion scapulars (doesn’t include the Green).

I have a five-fold scapular and it’s uncomfortable. Instead, you can simply be enrolled in these and then have your priest bless a scapular medal. The priest simply makes the sign of the cross over the scapular medal for however many scapulars you want to wear. In this case, he makes the sign of the cross five times. Voila. You’re set to go. You can wear one medal and it covers all five scapulars.

Now there are probably readers rolling their eyes and writing this off as POD (“pious and overly devotional”), but if you want to embrace all the gifts being offered, this is a simple way to invest yourself in all five.