Hi, Angelo —
I also wanted to add to what John
has said:
John is correct:
Sacramentals
are not lucky charms or magic spells
that only work if you follow exact
rubrics.
Lucky charms or magic spells are
based on pure chance, superstition,
or the demonic.
Rosaries, Scapulars and similar chaplets
and devotionals on based on, optional,
yet approved, devotions by the Church
of private revelations that the Church
has approved. They are based on promises
Our Lord (and/or) Our Lady have made
to us if we wear them with the correct
intent.
- What do I mean by the correct
intent?
Our Lady promised that those who
wear the Brown Scapular, would not
suffer eternal damnation. Nevertheless,
this does not give any one permission
to commit mortal sin after mortal
sin for years and years while wearing
the Brown Scapular.
Because we are not wearing it with
the correct intent or disposition
of being a practicing son or daughter
of the Church.
John said:
Of course, you
can wear it, whether it's blessed
or not, although it's better to
get it blessed, and pray for
the conversions of souls but don't
get caught up the externals.
Blessed sacramentals are far better
than unblessed ones. A blessing
offers us the grace to use the sacramental
with the correct intent. Some devotionals
even have confraternities of
lay Catholics (who can get enrolled
into the devotion) associated with it. I personally think
this is important because
it fosters a sense of Catholic community
and delivers a real
prayer community among
the members, whether they are aware
of the effects of the prayer community
on their life or not.
Check out this posting for more:
Although John said, don't get caught
up with the externals, I would add,
don't be ashamed of them either.
Your Green Scapular and Miraculous
Medal are witnesses to the secular
world that you are a practicing Catholic
and not ashamed of it; neither were
the first martyrs of the Church.
Mike
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