Hi Scot!
On your first question:
- Does the Green Scapular require wool to be made like the Brown Scapular?
I found this a difficult question to research. I tried finding everything
I could about Green Scapular regulations and found very few things.
To your question: I don't think so, nevertheless,
because of the proximity of its origin, to that of the Red
Scapular and its
regulations, I'm a little uncertain. (read on) Either way, we
have to remember Our Lord is not bound by non-doctrinal
sacramental regulations. Sacramentals do not fall into
an issue of faith and morals. God reads the heart. That's
the key. If the Church has required a regulation for a
specific scapular it does so, ultimately, for a good reason
and for the salvation of souls.
Let's get some background history on the Green Scapular
then the Red Scapular:
Origin and Church Approval of the Green Scapular
On July 18, 1830, St. Catherine Labouré, a nun
from the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at
Rue du Bac, Paris, France; was visited by the Blessed
Mother. This was one of the many visits that
lead to the institution of the Miraculous Medal. Ten
years later and from the same order, a novice (Daughter)
of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, France, also
received visits from Blessed Mother, her name was Sister
Justine Bisqueyburu.
Sister Justine was visited by Blessed Mother five times
beginning on January 28, 1840. After Sister Justine received
the habit of the Daughters of Charity, the Blessed Virgin
again visited her, holding in her right hand her heart
which was surrounded by fiery flames. In Mother Mary's
left hand was a small green cloth with a cord attached
to it.
This cloth had pictures on both sides of it. On one
side, was a picture of the Blessed Mother as she had
been appearing to Sister Justine.
On the other side was a picture of her heart pierced
with a sword and a flame with extraordinary rays of light
pouring from it. An inscription with the words,
“Immaculate
Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our
death”
was written around her heart, and a cross
was seen at the top of the flames. At the same time,
an interior voice said to Sister Justine,
“By this means, God would
bring to Himself, through the intercession of Blessed
Mother Mary, those who had lost their faith or had
been separated from Holy Church. They would be assured
of a happy death, including eternal salvation.”
Since this time, spiritual and physical cures have taken
place by means of this Green Scapular. It was twice approved
by Pope Pius IX, once in 1863 and then in 1870. Pope
Pius IX ordered the Sisters of Charity to make and distribute
these scapulars when he stated,
“Write to these
good Sisters that I authorize them to make and distribute
it.”
Since then, it has been received as a sacramental
of the church, well acknowledge and received. It has
been approved by the church on several occasion. |
The Red Scapular of the Passion
This scapular owes its origin to an apparition which
Jesus Christ vouchsafed to Sister Appoline Andriveau,
a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1846. Jesus
Christ showed the sister a scapular, such as is worn,
and promised to all who should wear it on every Friday
a great increase of faith, hope, and charity. The apparition
having been several times repeated, and finally in the
following year reported to Pius IX, the latter sanctioned
the scapular by a Rescript of 25 June, 1847, and granted
the Priests of the Mission (the Lazarists) the faculty
of blessing the scapular and investing the faithful with
it. He simultaneously granted many indulgences for the
wearing of the scapular. The Superior-General of the Lazarists can communicate
the faculty of blessing and investing with this scapular to other regular
or secular priests. **The scapular and bands must
both be of red woolen material.** On one woolen segment Jesus Christ
is represented on the Cross; at the foot of the Cross are the implements
of the Passion, and about it are the words:
"Holy
Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ Save us."
On the other are represented
the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and above these a cross
with the inscription:
"Sacred
Hearts of Jesus and Mary, protect us."
These images also are essential
to the scapular (Acta S. Sedis XXX, 748). |
Note in the previous paragraph that the Red Scapular had
its origin in 1846, six years before the origin of the
Green Scapular. Because the article on the Red Scapular
stated:
The scapular and bands must both be of red woolen material
I wonder if there was some regulation back in 1940 that
would also require the cloth be made out of wool. In the
absence of any known regulation, I would say the Green
Scapular does not have to be made of wool.
Here's another article I found on the Green Scapular:
Green Scapular
In addition to the Miraculous Medal, the Virgin Mary chose to use St.
Vincent de Paul's Daughters of Charity to reveal a second great sacramental:
the Green Scapular. Mary appeared to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu in Paris,
France, on Jan. 28, 1840. Actually the fifth of a series of apparitions,
Justine was given the design of a new scapular. Sr. Justine was hesitant
at first, but eventually revealed the devotion to her Spiritual Director
Fr. Aladel (who was also the director of St. Catherine Labouré of the Miraculous
Medal). After much delay, the scapulars were produced and distributed with
many conversions and cures following.
The Green Scapular emphasized the theme of Mary's Immaculate Conception.
Bl. Pope Pius IX twice strongly recommended its promotion and use.
Practices:
- Wear or carry the scapular
- To help another, place it in their vicinity (i.e. their room)
- Pray,
at least daily: "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at
the hour of our death"
- The prayer should be said for oneself and separately for each person
to whom it has been given (unless they pray themselves)
- No enrollment
of any kind is necessary, but each scapular should be blessed by a priest
(general blessing of sacramentals)
- Have confidence in the effects
of the scapular:
"The greatest graces come from using the scapular
but these graces come in direct proportion to the degree
of confidence in me which the user has."
Promises/Benefits:
- Conversion of those who do not have the faith
- Reconciliation to
the Church for those who have lost/strayed from the faith
- Assurance
of a happy death
- Strengthening of the faith for those already in the
Church
- Protection from Satan for those who wear or promote the scapular
|
If anyone is interested in wearing any of the Scapulars mentioned, they can get a good quality one at Rose Scapular.
You said:
- Where can I learn more about the Sign of the Cross made on the lips during
Mass and the other motions that follow?
When we do that, internally we should be saying,
"May the Word of God be:
- on my mind (sign of the cross over our forehead)
- on my lips/mouth (sign of the cross over our lips), and
- on my soul/heart (sign of the cross over our heart)"
You said:
- What is the best online resource for understanding how the Breviary works
and also what book/literature do you recommend for this topic?
My colleague, Richard can probably answer that question the best.
Hope this helps,
Mike
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