Word of the Day: Scapular

SCAPULAR. An outer garment consisting of two strips of cloth joined across the shoulders, worn by members of certain religious orders. Originating as the working frock of Benedictines, it was adopted by other religious communities and is now considered a distinctive part of the monastic habit. It symbolizes the yoke of Christ. A scapular is worn under one's secular clothes, in abbreviated form by tertiaries associated with the religious orders. Tertiary scapulars vary in size and shape; their color corresponds to that of the monastic family. As a further development, the Church has approved some eighteen blessed scapulars as two small pieces of cloth joined by strings and worn around the neck and under the clothes. Best known are the five scapulars of: Our Lady of Mount Carmel (brown), the Passion (red), Seven Dolors (black), Immaculate Conception (blue), and the Holy Trinity (white). (Etym. Latin scapulare, scapularium, "shoulder cloak," from Latin scapula, shoulder.)

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I have worn the Tertiary Scapular of Mount Carmel for over 30 years, and I have been enrolled in the remaining four that Fr Hardon mentions by name. There is actually an enrollment ceremony for enrollment in the Five Fold Scapular which can be read here. I wear the Scapular Medal in lieu of a five-fold Scapular, since the cords would tangle with those of my Tertiary Scapular.