Whatever curious and interesting subject strikes my fancy, be it silly or serious, gets posted for your reading pleasure.

Wednesday 19 July 2017

The "Purple" Scapular of Benediction and Protection

I've recently been asked a few questions about the images on the "Purple" Scapular and also on the nature of the graces received through it as featured in the book "We Are Warned: The Prophecies of Marie-Julie Jahenny" and thought it would be a great opportunity to write out a detailed Q and A style post to cover any and all questions for those seeking clarity on the Scapular.

All right, let's begin!


Q: Where did this Scapular come from and is this approved by the Catholic Church?


A:  The Scapular was shown in a vision on August 23, 1878 to the stigmatist and mystic Marie-Julie Jahenny (1850-1941).  The Scapular was shown to her resting on the Immaculate Heart of Mary.   Marie-Julie Jahenny was born on Coyault, but lived in La Fraudais, just a short distance north of Blain in Brittany France.  She was approved about three years before then by her local bishop in 1875, Bishop Fournier, bishop of Nantes.  A mystic does not need approval from the Vatican, a local bishop's approval is recognised as official Church approval.  Therefore, we can safely wear the Purple Scapular as it originated from a supernatural revelation given by an approved mystic.

Q: What's the story of the Scapular?  Why did Heaven reveal this relatively new scapular to the world?


A: It is Scapular was specially designed by Our Lord and Our Lady themselves, Our Lady said: "... for a long time my Son and I have had the desire to make known this scapular of benediction."

 First, to remind the faithful about various details of the Passion and Our Lady's Sorrows so that they may receive their due share of veneration, and second, to protect us during the coming chastisements, for the world is already being cleansed due to its manifold sins and corruption, and it is about to get worse.  Our Lady said: "This first apparition of this scapular will be a new protection for the times of the chastisements."

Q: What are the images / symbols?


A: On the FRONT of the Scapular in Marie-Julie Jahenny's own words:

"It is a large scapular, larger than ordinary scapulars, it is a little larger than the palm of a hand. It is a beautiful purple, almost the colour of violet. Here is what is on it: in the middle, there are the three nails that crucified Our Saviour on the Cross, some are crossed on the others, not exactly in the form of a cross and the point of each nail, there is a drop of red blood. Above the three nails, there is a
type of large sponge that has raised ears, like those of balled oats. The three drops of blood will go to join together and fall into a small chalice painted in red, and the chalice is surrounded with a crown of thorns, and there are three little crosses engraved on the front of the chalice. This is the side of the scapular that is on the mantle of the Holy Virgin."

(PLEASE NOTE: there are some bad translations of the original texts that say the blood drops coming from the nails must be purple, but that is NOT CORRECT.  The drops must be a 'ruddy' or blood red.  The sponge and chalice must also be red.)


On the BACK:

"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 rests on the heart of the Holy Virgin. At the lower end of the scapular, at the feet of Our Lord, is an Angel dressed in white, with curly hair, he has a white crown on his head, his belt is red. He has in his hands a white linen with which he wipes the feet of Our Lord. On the side of the Angel, to the right of the scapular, there is engraved a ladder. Behind Our Lord, to the left, the reed of the Passion painted in red, but without a sponge. The tears of the Holy Virgin fall on her breast, to the right, and they stop at the feet of the Angel."

The STRAPS and finishing touches:

"I notice that this scapular hangs by two violet straps that pass over each shoulder, and there are three knots on the left shoulder, and two on the right. (...)  The scapular is edged with a red line and the straps are woollen."


Q: What do the images mean?


A: The meaning of the symbols in Our Lady's own words:

 "This scapular, my children, it is supposed to be made on my heart, (i.e with humility and devotion to Her Immaculate Heart) because my heart is the emblem of simplicity and humility, and hence, the colour violet.

The nails that have pierced the feet and the hands of my Son have been little venerated and are venerable, hence my Son, in His Divine Wisdom, has made that these three nails be painted on the front of the scapular.

These three drops of blood and the chalice represent the generous hearts gathering the Blood of my
Divine Son.  (I.e those devoted to the Precious Blood and gathering it for the good of the Church, conversion of sinners, etc.)

The red sponge will represent my Divine Son drinking, in a manner, the sins of His children but His Adorable Mouth refuses."


Our Lord explains the back image:

"My children, very few souls think of wiping the Adorable Wounds of My Feet when the Blood
ran and I would like this representation to be known. They also think so little of the tears shed by My Mother during My Passion; these tears are found at the feet of the Angel that wipes My Sacred Feet. By this scapular, I would like you to think on the ladder, the reed and the nails of My Passion."


Hence, the images of the Angel, the ladders, nails, the reed that held the sponge, etc. are symbolic of this devotion Our Lord wants known, they are not meant to be a literal representation of the Crucifixion scene.


Q: Why do the straps have different knots in them? What does that mean? 


This is one detail not explained in the vision, but apparently, as this Scapular represents the Passion of Our Lord, we are probably expected to think this one out for ourselves.  This is what I've personally speculated:

* 5 knots in total: possibly the Five Wounds of Christ.

* 3 knots over the left shoulder: the number 3 symbolises the Holy Trinity.  According to Marie-Julie's visions, Our Lord carried His Cross on the left shoulder.  Possibly, this is to remind us of that, and, to encourage Devotion to His Forgotten Wound of the Shoulder. (You can read about the NEW promises give to the Shoulder Wound Devotion here.)


Q: Is there a specific prayer or devotion that needs to be said with this Scapular?



A: YES, there are two.   As Our Lady presented the Scapular to Our Lord, He turned to Marie-Julie and said:


“I address you, My victim, and also My victims and My servant, My children of the Cross, I see and I come to give you an idea and profound thought: during My descent from the Cross they handed Me to My mother, this descent, this thought, this devotion is little known.

 I would like by this reproduction on this scapular, that it pass into the hearts of the children of the Cross, and that they salute Me by these three salutations:



I hail You, Jesus crucified, that you grant me life.

I hail You with all the joy of the Angels and the Saints in Your descent from the Cross.

I hail You with the sadness of Your Mother when you reposed on her heart and on her Immaculate lap.



Our Lord also asked that people meditate for at least 2- 3 minutes on His Passion, and to say the 'CRUX AVE' prayer 5 or 7 times that was revealed to Marie-Julie Jahenny.

HOWEVER- there were TWO 'Crux Ave' prayers reveaeld to her, so here are BOTH.  It would be a good idea anyway to say both.


(Crux Ave - Prayer 1) "O, Crux Ave! Spes unica! Et Verbum caro factum est! O Jesus, vanquisher of death, save us!"

(Translation: O hail to the Cross! Our only hope! And the Word was made flesh.)  The first part must be said in Latin as it was given in Latin.


(Crux Ave - Prayer 2)   I hail you, I adore you, I embrace you, 
                  O Adorable Cross of my Saviour.  
                Protect us, guard us, save us. Jesus loved you so much,
                 following His example, I love you. 

               By your holy image calm our fears.
                 That I feel only peace and trust!

 Q: What are the promises and graces attached to the Scapular?


A: From a close reading of the text we see there are various promises and graces depending on whether it is simply possessed, displayed, actually worn, or if you simply desire to be clothed with it.


1)  It must be WORN for these graces: 

Our Lady "This  first apparition of this scapular will be a new protection for the times of the chastisements, of the calamities and the famines.

 All those who are clothed (with it) shall pass under the storms, the tempests and the darkness, they will have light as if it were plain day. Here is the power of this unknown scapular.”


 2) Graces and Promises simply by POSSESSING or CARRYING it. ( i.e have it on your person or reverently displayed in your homes).

This extends to "ALL" for the grace of conversion of sinners and blasphemers as well as for the benefit of faithful believers.

 NOTE:The words of the vision say 'possessing' and 'carrying' the scapular, but, the Church has decreed scapulars must be worn to receive the promised graces and indulgences:  Quote: "To share in the indulgences and privileges of a scapular, one must wear it constantly; it may be worn over or under one's clothing and may be laid aside for a short time, if necessary. Should one have ceased wearing the scapular for a long period (even through indifference), one gains none of the indulgences during this time, but, by simply resuming the scapular, one again participates in the indulgences, privileges, etc."  One exception seems to be the Green Scapular as people receive graces simply from carrying it, even in their wallet.  So, this may also apply to the 'carry' direction of the Purple Scapular, however the best way to 'carry' a scapular is to wear it.

Our Lord: "My children, all souls, all people who possess this scapular, will see their family protected, their home will also be protected, first of all from fires, which will never enter there. 

This scapular will strike down the ungrateful which blaspheme My Name in the home
where it will be displayed
.  If an impious person enters, they will be so completely struck that their conversion will be close. (Hence, it would be a good idea to get an extra one and frame it for display in your home.)

  Our Lord still adds that by reminding an obstinate soul about this scapular at the hours of their demise (i.e., death), they will awaken the Faith in it and a firm belief, (grace of conversion).
 

 All those who will carry it will be preserved from 1) thunder, from 2) sudden death and from
3) accidents. During chastisements 4) they will be protected.

That all those who will have it and think upon it and love it, will be spared the troubles of soul.

That those who will carry it will be sheltered from any danger as though they already possessed Heaven.

That this scapular, finally, will be as a lightning rod under which the blows of Just and Divine
Wrath will not dwell. 


3) PROTECTING CHURCHES: Displaying it for veneration in a Church will protect that church from impious people and from profanation. 


 4) Simply DESIRING to wear it: Our Lord: "I shall grant great graces to those who desire to be clothed in this Holy Habit." (Graces not named: to the discretion of Our Lord, no doubt depending on the state and spiritual needs of the soul of those who desire the scapular.)


 Q: Can any priest bless it?


A: Yes, any validly ordained Catholic priest may bless it.  Like all sacramentals it must be blessed to receive the graces.


Q:  Is there a particular blessing that the priest needs to say over it? 

A: As far as I am aware, no.  There is no particular blessing that was revealed for it, and as it has not yet officially been made part of a religious order or confraternity, it would fall under the category of a 'private devotion' scapular, and so a special enrollment and blessing has not yet been formulated by the Church.  We can safely assume priests may use the regular blessing for sacramentals at the present time until the Church formally decides otherwise.

Q: If I need a new one because my old one has worn out, does the new one need to be blessed again?


A: For now, yes.  

Unlike the Brown Scapular, there is no confraternity or religious order yet associated with the Purple Scapular.  Enrolment in a confraternity means the person is blessed with the graces of the order, e.g. a Brown Scapular is a miniature version of the Carmelite habit so a replacement does not need to be blessed, but since the Purple Scapular is not part of an order yet, and has to be blessed as a regular sacramental, it is better to be on the safe side and have your  replacement Purple Scapular blessed. 

No doubt this Scapular will one day be associated with the religious order that will run the promised Sanctuary of the Cross that will be built on the site of Marie-Julie's cottage but until then, get your new one blessed.




Q: If I want to make my own, can I use just any material?


A: The directions are specific, so NO, one must keep to the directions regarding the materials and how it is to be made. 

* The main colour of the background of the Scapular (i.e the main two reactangle panels) must be violet purple and made of wool.


The Church has set conditions regarding the materials for the panels of large 'habit scapulars' connected with an order, and also the smaller scapulars according to the New Advent Website – so all SCAPULARS MUST BE OF WOVEN SHEEPS WOOL – i.e. wool cloth:

“The small scapulars consist essentially of two quadrilateral segments of woolen cloth (…) connected with each other by two strings or bands in such a manner that, when the bands rest on the shoulders, the front segment rests before the breast, while the other hangs down an equal distance at the back. (…) The material of these two essential parts of the scapular must be of woven wool.” (New Advent).

So, it is automatically to be understood the purple panels of the Scapular of Benediction and Protection must be of woven wool cloth. Our Lord described the Purple Scapular as a "holy habit", so it must have the same conditions as a habit-scapular, it must be of wool. 
 
 
IMPORTANT NOTE about  'wool felt' and 'felted wool' - do not confuse the two. Both are different!  Wool felt is a material made of wool fibers mashed together but is NOT woven. The Church says we must use woven wool.  'Felted wool' on the other hand is woven wool that has been 'fuzzed up' to look like felt, but it IS woven and can be used.
 
 Basically, if the wool is 'fuzzy' like felt, make sure it is the WOVEN kind and not just mashed up fibers.
 
 

 * The main cloth / rectangular parts must be slightly larger than the palm of the hand.

2nd UPDATE - INFO ABOUT THE STRAPS (Oct. 11, 2020): the vision specifically said the straps are to be of violet wool, basically matching the back of the Purple Scapular as much as possible.  There are to be three knots over the left shoulder, and two knots over the right.   There is confusion as to whether or not the strap material may be changed as the Church has declared the smaller scapulars do not have to have wool straps.  HOWEVER, considering the colour of the straps is stipulated in the vision to Marie-Julie along with unique  knots, and, as Marie-Julie says this scapular is bigger than normal small scapulars, and, has special Passion prayer devotions attached, this sets it apart from the other smaller scapulars, so it is apparent the wool detail of the Purple Scapular straps is important, similar to the Red Passion Scapular and the Five Fold Scapular in that these other two have a specific colour attached.  The Red Passion Scapular was given in a vision to Sr. Louise-Apolline Andriveau in 1846 with very specific details and approved in 1857 by the Church. The Red Passion Scapular straps MUST be made of red wool, for unlike the small scapulars, the Church did not change this detail regarding the wool as given in the vision.    The Purple Scapular is also a 'Passion' scapular, and considering the unique details given about it like the Red Passion Scapular, it is obvious Heaven wished this Scapular to be set apart and the woolen strap detail retained.


After searching online, I discovered there are French and Italian companies making woven wool ribbons / straps, and the weave looks very much like that on the Purple Scapulars sold in France, so it appears that the convent in France making them for the  'Marie Julie Association' and elsewhere  have either found a company making wool ribbons, or, they have had them custom made.  In all, the are making them according to the exact directions as given in the vision to Marie-Julie Jahenny regarding the wool detail similar to the Red Passion scapular.   
 
 If you want to make your own Purple scapulars, you can try and source wool woven ribbons, OR, you can use the same woven wool material used for the main panels of the Purple Scapular by cutting out long strips as the wool in a scapular must be woven.  
 
 
 *The symbols of the sponge, the chalice and the drops of Blood from the nails on the front must be 'painted' in red, on a dark red flannel panel. Marie-Julie said the design was 'painted' - she did not simple say the design was red, she also mentioned 'painted'. So, this also means the material and the type of work, it must be painted. meaning paint or pant-like ink applied - the picture should not be made with embroidery. 

It could be hand-done, you can use a brush or sponge the design in with the help of a stencil. (In this case, it is easier to paint all the Passion symbols on the front in red.)  
 
 The main point is the Passion symbols be applied onto the flannel material like a painting, and not embroidered. 
 
Screen printing is applying the image with ink,so that might work too.
 
 
The symbols must match the description in the vision.  Our Lady: "I desire that the end of the scapular, be of violet, (the background), but I desire that the nails, the chalice, the sponge and the crown be on a piece of dark red flannel." NOTE: flannel was orginally made from wool and carded yarn, and, since the cloth panels of scapulars must be made from woven wool according to the Church, it appears synthetic materials are not to be used for the flannel either.  It appears the convent in France providing Purple Scapulars to the Marie-Julie Jahenny Association and other sacramental shops is also using to 100% wool for this section too.  Until the Church decrees otherwise for this particular scapular, it is best to follow the Church's direction on woven wool for the cloth panels of scapulars for the flannel panel as well.
 

*The image of the Pietá must be as close to the description of the vision as much as possible. However, there is no specification to the mateiral this image must be on, so this could be printed or painted on any material, cotton, wool, etc.  Since this is a very detailed image, handpainting this would make production close to impossible, and Heaven doesn't make things impossible.   Printing the image on iron on T-shirt transfers are an idea - it appears the convent in France that first started making these has used this idea.  Sew them on as well for extra support.

* The Scapular must be edged in red, (although what type of material that edge should be is not specified.)


Q: What if the images fade from wear and tear, especially the painted parts? What do I do?

A:  If they are just faded a bit, like the tiny little crosses on the chalice tend to fade, and you can still make out the image, they are still okay.  However, if you are having big trouble seeing what all the symbols are, or they are gone entirely, then it's defintely time to repair them or get a new scapular.

As a judge of how 'faded' they have to be for this to ensure you still receive the Blessings, there doesn't seem to be a ' rule'- I suggest using the rule applied to most sacramentals and priest vestments:  for instance, if a set of Rosary beads with a Papal Blessing is missing half its beads, then it's considered not fit for purpose and the blessing is no longer on the set.  If a set of Mass vestments go threadbare and look really worn, then they must be replaced to be fit for the august service of the altar.  So, if the images are really damaged or practically gone on your Purple Scapular, or, if the straps have really frayed to bits, I'd suggest reparing them, or getting a new one since the symbols and straps are important. 

In fact, prevention is better than cure: cover the squares of your Scapular with clear plastic wrap of some kind if you can to prevent damage happening to the delicate details. 

To repair the paint part in front with the Passion symbols: print off a picture of the Purple Scapular, carefully cut out the symbols with a razor blade and use the print as a stencil, or if you're artistically inclined, do your best to paint them in by hand with a very tiny brush. 

For the back image: there is no stipulation saying this image has to be on cloth.  You can use T-shirt transfers.

If the images had to be repaired, or a new strap put on, etc., I'd suggest having your Scapular re-blessed as it is not part of a confratnerity yet.  


Q: Where Can I Buy the Scapulars?

  Here are the best places I know of.  Please note: The majority of the Scapulars are made in a convent in France, so as they need to be shipped from Europe first expect them to be pricey, especially as they require more material and are more detailed than most scapulars.  (And no, I make nothing promoting these sites, I'm just sharing info!)


Sacramentals.org is based in the USA but will ship overseas. Also has the 'Cross of Pardon' and the medal of 'Our Lady of Bonne Garde' to protect faith and purity shown to Marie-Julie Jahenny.  


2) St. Michael's store: http://www.stmichaelstore.com/scapofben.html
They also have the medal of 'Our Lady of Bonne Garde' shown to Marie-Julie, click here for th medal.  Also, the Cross of Pardon (Forgiveness), click here.

 
3) Gift Shop of Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry: https://osmm.org/shop

 I believe this order is connected with Fr. Ripperger.


4) The Leaflet Missal - Catholic Company https://www.leafletonline.com/benediction-protection-scapular

5) CatholiCity:  (UPDATE August 19, 2021) --  https://www.catholicity.com/scapulars/purplescapular.html     This site has just informed they were finally able to find 100% woven wool for their scapulars, which is the one problem they had, so their scapulars are NOW made according to the instructions.

6) The Seller "15Decades" on Etsy sells handmade, hand dyed wool Purple Scapulars:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/15Decades
 
(IMPORTANT NOTE - the "15Decades" seller, DeniseMariaTeresa list above, is the ONLY Scapular maker from ETSY I recommend right now regarding the Purple Scapular as she is making them correctly.  She will also ship overseas.
   
    The other sellers on there are NOT making them properly, for instance the other sellers are using just plain felt of unwoven wool with smashed fibres and therefore not acceptable.  If they are using wool that looks like felt, it must be woven felted wool -- the Church specifies the fabric must be woven, NOT the plain smashed fibres.   Also, the other sellers that are not making them properly do not have the proper knots  in the straps, or the straps are not wool like they should be, and it looks like the Passion symbols are not on real red flannel, etc.  If you see a Purple Scapular listed on Etsy, Ebay or Amazon, PLEASE CHECK DETAILS or CONTACT THE SELLER IF YOU ARE NOT SURE!) 


 
8) www.scapulars-au.com - shop based in Australia - also has the 'Cross of Pardon' and the medal of Our Lady of Bonne Garde to protect faith and purity shown to Marie-Julie Jahenny.
 
 
9) Chiré - online sacramental shop in France, click here, NOTE: I haven't shopped with them, so I don't know how safe they are to shop with, shop at your own risk.  Also the site is in French.  You will need to read French for this shop, but they do carry the correctly made Scapulars.
 
 

UPDATE:    I also am now advising DO NOT BUY FROM AMAZON, ETSY OR EBAY with the exception of the sellers listed here.  I've discovered other sellers are making them from wool felt that is not woven, the Church says the wool whether plain wool or felted wool must be WOVEN.  Sellers are using just plain unwoven wool felt, and blended wool straps, the straps must be FULL WOOL according to the vision. CHECK WITH THE SELLERS and WATCH PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS.  
 
 If you wish to be listed here, you MUST make the Scapulars exactly according to the specification of the Church regarding woven wool, and 100% wool straps according to the instruction of the vision, etc.



(!!!) Word of Advice: this is sad to say, but I also do NOT recommend shopping on the online site run by the "Friends of Marie-Julie Jahenny Association" in France -  their site has glitches, people have placed orders and paid for items and never received them.  Also, the Association never seems to answer e-mails anymore, so it will be difficult if next to impossible to sort out the problem or get your money back should the order go wrong.   Some people said they ordered and things were okay, but other people have told me they've lost money over their site -  so I wouldn't recommend it.  Shop on their site at your own risk.

  Also, due to the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic scare and the lockdown on air travel and shipping etc., the shops have had a run on the scapulars and other sacramentals and have run out - you will have to place a back order and wait for it to be filled as soon as they can get the scapulars back in.



Q. There is a Web Site Called “Our Lady's Resistance” that says Marie-Julie Jahenny is not approved and neither is the Purple Scapular. They give a list of reasons why the Scapular is false, such as it is an attempt to replace the Black Scapular of the Passion, also, that Our Lady is missing a halo and the picture is ugly, which make it fake. What is your reponse to this?


A. First of all, they obviously have no idea that Marie-Julie Jahenny was indeed approved by her local bishop in 1875, Bishop Fournier of Nantes, and that a representative of the Vatican Commision who was monitoring her case performed an excorcism over her and declared what was happening to her was indeed SUPERNATURAL – meaning from Heaven.

Since “Our Lady's Resistance” does not know she is approved, they are therefore trying to descredit everything shown to her. The fact that the depiction of Our Lord and Lady are missing 'halos' on the Purple Scapular is a very weak foundation to descredit the Scapular!

Our Lady appeared with no halo, or even a veil when revealing the Green Scapular, she appeared with her hair flowing, no halo. That hasn't stopped anyone from wearing it, and, the Church has approved the Green Scapular.

RE: about the argument that the Purple Scapular is a ruse to turn purple away from the Black Scapular of the Passion, saying that the color purple of the new scapular is meant to cancel out the black representing the death of Christ on the other. This is rubbish. If 'Our Lady's Resistence' had read up on the Purple Scapular they would have seen that the color violet purple was chosen by Heaven to represent the virtue of HUMILITY: the humility of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart and the humility of Christ. It in no way does it cancel out a completely different scapular. And, there's nothing stopping you from wearing both! So there is no issue of scapulars 'cancelling' each other out. In fact, the Church has a huge list of scapulars-the Brown, White, Red, the Black, St. Michaels, St. Joseph's, the Five Fold Sacpular, etc, you can wear as many as you like, or think your shoulders can hold!

Also, their comments on Our Lady's clothes sounds like an art critique, saying they are ugly because they are 'off color' and the cloak is 'ugly'. That is only their opinion on the art, and that is not a valid reason to discredit the Scapular.

I have tried to contact the 'Our Lady's Resistance' site to tell them that Marie-Julie Jahenny is approved and to please correct their information, but I have received no answer. I have a feeling the name of their site is apt - they are 'resisting' Our Lady. 
 
 
 
UPDATE New Question
 
Q.  Have you seen the recent video by Dr. Mark Miravalle against the Purple Scapular and the visions Marie-Julie?  If so, what is your response to it?
 
 A. Recently, Dr. Mark Miravalle has issued a YouTube video with several accusations against the visions of Marie-Julie Jahenny and the Purple Scapular. ("Purple Scapular - Serious Concerns", c. July 2023)  I would not have known about this video at all were it not for the concerned people contacting me for my response to such an attack on her. I watched the video, and, it was hard to sit through. He has taken information out of context, and even left out important information to where his observations are inaccurate and in some cases cringe-worthy coming from a theologian. Therefore, I have recently posted a defence of Marie-Julie and her visions in accordance to the various objections he raised. You can read my response by clicking the link below:
 
 
 
 


*************

So far, that's all the questions I have received or can think of.  

If there is something not answered here, leave your question in the comments and I'll do my best to answer it!


Also, if you have received a miracle or grace through this Scapular, please share it in the comment section below!  

 

(Find out more about Marie-Julie Jahenny, click here.)