The Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel is a sacramental of the Catholic Church. It was blessed by Pope Pius IX in 1878 and formally approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1880.
The official blessing and investiture prayer found in the Roman Ritual for the Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel has seven important statements or articles to study, meditate, and process so that the recipient fully understands the mind of the church concerning this most important and powerful sacramental. The blessing and investiture prayer for the scapular is found in this link.
In the past, the wearer of the scapular lived a type of “rule of life” known as a ‘Confraternity’ along with feasts, prayers, and special indulgences. The ancient constitutions are in the Online Parochial Hymn Book link.
The original ‘Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St Michael’ at the Church of St. Eustace in Rome has long disappeared, but wearers of the scapular can still receive the special graces and blessings fully intended by the church via the blessing and investiture prayer ceremony. Today, there are different confraternities at major shrines like the Gargano cave via the Michaelites and Mont San Michel but none go back to the original constitutions.
The following are the seven important articles or statements found in the official blessing prayer and investiture of the Roman Ritual which the wearer can live by as a ‘Rule of Life’ through entrustment and consecration to St. Michael the Archangel.
Firstly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel was meant for all the faithful to experience St. Michael’s exclusive guardianship and protection. In other words, the scapular was
“introduced for arousing and fostering devotion among thy faithful toward this great protector.”
An example is when St. Michael said to the mystic and stigmatist Marie-Julie Jahenny, “After God, I am your protector and your support. Have recourse to me. If you knew my power, you would be more eager to address your prayers to me each day.” (September 29, 1877)
Or when Constantine freed the Christians from centuries of persecution,
“I am Michael, the chief of the angelic legions of the Lord of Hosts, the protector of the Christian religion, who, while you were in a battle against godless tyrants, placed the weapons in your hands.”
Secondly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel was meant to fortify, bolster and brace every Christian in battle,
“And do thou grant all who wear it may be strengthened by the same holy archangel.”
Whatever battle we are facing may we draw strength from St. Michael as when St. Bonaventure sees St. Michael strengthening Jesus at Garden of Gethsemane (Lk.22:43), “Now at the third time, when He was in the most profound anguish of spirit, behold an angel from God, the prince of the celestial hierarchy, St. Michael, came down and stood before him, comforted him, and said, “Hail, O blessed Lord Jesus! Your devout prayer and bloody sweat I have offered up to your-Father, in the presence of the whole court of heaven.”
Thirdly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel was meant to help each Christian in their final battle against the dragon so as
“to vanquish the enemies of body and soul, both in this life and at the hour of death.”
An example is when St. Anselm witnesses a religious who had a late conversion in life and on his deathbed, St. Michael defends him against the dragon three times allowing him to die a peaceful death.
Fourthly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel provides the singular grace of his constant intercession for our perfection.
“by his constant intercession thou mayest be disposed to lead a holy life.”
An example would be when 13-year-old St. Joan of Arc states about St. Michael’s recurring intercession, “Above all, Saint Michael told me that I must be a good child, and that God would help me.” “He [St. Michael] taught me to behave rightly and go often to church.”
Saint Michael’s intercession can be invoked to know and live the will of GOD in every area of our lives; most especially that each of us may discover the special and unique grace specific to our vocation (as when St. Joan of Arc led by St. Michael frees France.)
Fifthly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel provides the wearer with St. Michael’s official sponsorship and care against all attacks of the dragon since it is an official enrollment or investiture of the Catholic Church.
“We appeal to thy goodness, O Lord that thou wouldst hear our prayers and graciously bless † this servant (handmaid) of thine, who has been placed under the special patronage of St. Michael the Archangel.”
An example would be when King Charlemagne put his entire kingdom under the patronage of St. Michael, and was protected so greatly by the archangel that, that period in history was known as the Christian era.
Sixthly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel ensures that St. Michael would pray and intercede for us when facing a temptation.
“Through his intercession may he (she) avoid and guard against whatever is displeasing to thee.”
An example of his intercession when facing an attack or temptation is when St. Padre Pio would say that if it were not for St. Michael’s intercession, he would be crushed under Satan’s feet or when he said, “you will need the help of Saint Michael living in this world!”
Moreover, St. Padre Pio would say, “These temptations make me tremble from head to foot with the fear of offending God.” Furthermore, he stated, “At certain moments I see myself actually on the brink of a precipice and then it seems to me that the tide of battle is about to turn in favor of those scoundrels. I feel myself trembling all over;” however, St. Michael would always come to his aid.
Seventhly, the Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel not only helps to save our own soul, but the souls of others entrusted to our care.
“and thus, merit in serving thee to accomplish his (her) own sanctification and that of others. Through Christ our Lord. Amen”
An example is the official healing and exorcistic spring in Tlaxcala, Mexico which St. Michael gave to a 17-year-old named Diego Lázaro de San Francisco for the healing of other souls saying, “tell the inhabitants of this place, and everywhere abroad of a miraculous spring of water that will cure the people of their ills.”
Finally, I am very devoted to the Brown Scapular, so I wear a double scapular to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Michael the Archangel found in this link The scapular receives the blessing and investiture prayer for the Scapular of St. Michael and the Brown Scapular blessing and investiture prayer as when a person wears the 5-fold scapular from the Roman Ritual that combines five different blessing prayers of five different scapulars. You can also choose to wear the single Scapular of St. Michael found here: https://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/st-michael-scapular-set/p/SPCSCP0SCSM St. Michael the Archangel pray for us!
THE END.
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CONFERENCE Sept. 27-28
Recommended
1. Image of the first scapular is from the Mont Saint Michel shrine, France.
2. Image of the second scapular is from the Autom Catholic catalog.
3. Image of the third scapular is from EWTN.
4. Image of the fourth scapular is from The Catholic Company.
5. Image of the fifth scapular is from the Gargano, Cave shrine in Italy.
6. Image of the sixth scapular is from the Rose Scapular Corp.
READ THE OTHER PARTS OF THE SERIES:
Angels & Dragons I
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2015/02/angels-dragons/#.WknYD9-nHIV
Angels & Dragons II
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2015/09/angels-dragons-ii/#.Wrk6MYjwbIW
Angels & Dragons III – St Michael Relic Stone
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2017/09/angels-dragons-iii-st-michael-relic-stone/#.Wrk6UojwbIV
Angels & Dragons IV – St Michael’s Protection
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2017/09/angels-dragons-iv-st-michaels-protection/#.Wrk6dYjwbIV
Angels & Dragons V – Minor Exorcisms
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2017/11/angels-dragons-v-minor-exorcisms/#.Wrk6rIjwbIV
Angels & Dragons VI – “Set the Oppressed Free!” (Luke 4:18)
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/01/angels-dragons-vi-set-oppressed-free-luke-418/#.Wrk6y4jwbIV
Angels & Dragons VII – Transferences
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/01/angels-dragons-vii-transferences/#.Wrk68IjwbIV
Angels & Dragons VIII – St Gemma Galgani Relic
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/01/angels-dragons-viii-st-gemma-galgani-relic/#.Wrk7D4jwbIU
Angels & Dragons IX – 40 Days to Slay the Dragon
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/02/angels-dragons-ix-40-days-slay-dragon/#.Wrk7K4jwbIX
Angels & Dragons X – St. Faustina’s Battles
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/03/angels-dragons-x-st-faustinas-battles/#.XEfE1WZK3IV
Angels & Dragons XI – “Michael the Archangel will Arise.” (Dn.12:1)
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/09/angels-dragons-xi-michael-the-archangel-will-arise-dn-121/#.W5ueQKZKjIV
Angels & Dragons XII – St. Michael’s Flaming Sword! http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/09/angels-dragons-xii-st-michaels-flaming-sword/#.W6gAb2hKjIU
Angels & Dragons XIII – The Glorious Michaelmas!
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/09/angels-dragons-xiii-the-glorious-michaelmas/#.W7L1xWZK3IU
Angels & Dragons XIV – Mont Saint Michel
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/10/angels-dragons-xiv-mont-saint-michel/#.W86m5mZK3IU
Angels & Dragons XV – The St. Michael Statue
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/10/angels-dragons-xv-the-st-michael-statue/#.W9eOGWZK3IU
Angels & Dragons XVI – St. Michael & All Souls
http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2018/10/angels-dragons-xvi-st-michael-the-feast-of-all-souls/#.XDN4OGZK3IU
Angels & Dragons XVII – The Power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/01/angels-dragons-xvii-the-power-of-the-most-holy-name-of-jesus/#.XEftiWZK3IU
Angels & Dragons XVIII – St. Michael the Angel of Peace! http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/01/angels-dragons-xviii-st-michael-the-angel-of-peace/#.XGtJxGZK3IU
Angels & Dragons – XIX The Angel of Peace in America http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/02/angels-dragons-xix-the-angel-of-peace-in-america/#.XKuHxGZK3IU
Angels & Dragons – XX “War in Heaven” (Rev. 12:7) http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/04/angels-dragons-xx-war-in-heaven-rev-127/#.XRGaOWZK3IU
Angels & Dragons – XXI St. Michael the Archangel in Spain http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/07/angels-dragons-xxi-st-michael-the-archangel-in-spain/
Angels & Dragons – XXII St. Michael the Archangel in Mexico http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/08/angels-dragons-xxii-st-michael-the-archangel-in-mexico/?fbclid=IwAR37HPVsdOCdHEbPAMlS35bQTcPmvFM0pOpIU8Tk9bAHUvN9pbu3GmP9rdk#.XVIr4ntOnIW
Angels & Dragons XXIII – St. Michael the Archangel in America http://atxcatholic.com/index.php/2019/08/angels-dragons-xxiii-st-michael-the-archangel-in-america/#.XYj7DmZOnIU
Where do you purchase the combo st. Michael & brown scapular….? The link in the bottom video doesn’t work?
Dear Liza,
Here:
https://www.rosescapular.net/StMichael-brown-scapular-2016.htm
Here is another place where you can find the double combo scapular.
https://www.catholiccompany.com/st-michael-scapular-i16575/?product_id=2010811&matchtype=&mrkgadid=3332534318&network=g&gclsrc=aw.ds&aid=3317&utm_source=google&adpos=1o1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjM_8pon05AIVHP_jBx3kVg3mEAQYASABEgJkk_D_BwE&mrkgcl=254&creative=247391121331&utm_medium=products&device=m&sku=2010811
I am very glad for this article. I have been wearing the St. Michael scapular for a few years and didn’t know the benefits that you enumerated in your article. Thank you! Also, for a few years I was wearing both the Brown Scapular and the St. Michael Scapular individually, but I struggled every day with the cords getting tangled. I decided to sew the outside picture of the brown scapular onto the felt side of the Saint Michael scapular and the same with the other end. Now I just have one corded scapular that I wear but with both pictures on each end of the scapular.
I am currently designing a scapular combo for both that should be even better. I totally understand your wish to wear both. Thanks for sharing as I totally identify with your need. Also,if it is God’s will I would like to resurrect the original confraternity with the original statutes through an official canonical process. The work has been in process for a year now. St. Michael the Archangel Pray for Us.
I have a sewing-machine and made my own “Industrial strength” brown scapular, slightly larger than the normal ones you buy, as they are “doubled” so as to make a sort of pouch that I can carry a medal or two (Holy Face / Our Lady of America / St Benedict) inside each panel.
I took a St Michael’s scapular apart and sewed each shield-shaped side to the front of each brown scapular panel before doubling the fabric, and attaching the strings.
I found some cheap sturdy shoelaces online, and bought a black and a blue pair. I took one lace in each colour and sewed them them firmly to the scapular. (I think the original St Michael’s scapular had one or more knots in the strings, but don’t know details. I can re-do them if I discover a good description )
Voila! Heavy-duty, washable scapular that will last many, many years.
Plus I have extra pair of black & blue shoelaces for strings to make its replacement when needed.
Scapulars (like rosaries) you make yourself will usually be much stronger than bought ones if you choose easily washable materials.
BLESSING AND INVESTITURE WITH SCAPULAR OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
(This is the full ritual, translated into English as presented in the Weller English translation of the Rituale Romanum, for the blessing and investiture in the Scapular of the Archangel found on page 405)
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. O Almighty, everlasting God, Who dost graciously defend thy Church from the wiles of the devil through St. Michael the Archangel, we suppliantly implore thee to bless † and sanctify † this token introduced for arousing and fostering devotion among thy faithful toward this great protector. And do thou grant all who wear it may be strengthened by the same holy archangel, so as to vanquish the enemies of body and soul, both in this life and at the hour of death. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen
The priest then sprinkles the scapular with holy water, and then bestows it, saying: Receive brother (sister), the scapular of St. Michael the Archangel, so that by his constant intercession thou mayest be disposed to lead a holy life. R. Amen.
Let us pray. We appeal to thy goodness, O Lord that thou wouldst hear our prayers and graciously bless † this servant (handmaid) of thine, who has been placed under the special patronage of St. Michael the Archangel. Through his intercession may he (she) avoid and guard against whatever is displeasing to thee, and thus merit in serving thee to accomplish his (her) own sanctification and that of others.Through Christ our Lord. Amen
BLESSING AND INVESTITURE WITH SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
V: Lord, show us your mercy.
R: And grant us your salvation.
V: Lord, heed my prayer.
R: And let my cry be heard by you.
V: The Lord be with you.
R: And with your spirit.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of mankind, sanctify + by thy right hand this habit, to be worn with devotion by thy servant (handmaid) out of love for thee and thy blessed Mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Through her intercession, may he (she) be defended from the hostile foe and persevere in thy grace until death. Who livest and reignst forever and ever. R: Amen.
Then he sprinkles the scapular with holy water, and invests the candidate with it, saying to each one: Receive this blessed habit, and call upon the most holy Virgin, that by her merits thou (you) mayst (may) wear it without stain, be protected by her from all adversity and brought unto life everlasting. R: Amen.
By the power granted to me, I receive thee as a partaker of all the spiritual favors which, by the merciful help of Jesus Christ, are acquired by the religious of the Order of Carmelites. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R: Amen.
May almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, bless + thee (you), – He Who has deigned to chose thee (you) for the confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. And we intercede with Our Lady that, in the hour thy (your) death, She will crush the head of the ancient serpent, so that thou canst (you can) finally come into the possession of the crown and palm of the eternal inheritance. Through Christ our Lord. R: Amen.
He sprinkles the person with holy water.
Does the St Michael scapular have to be in the shape of a shield? Does the wool have to be black on one side and blue on the other, with black and blue cords? I have been looking up scapulars and it seems as though there are very specific images, colors and shapes for each one. Are they invalid if they are not in those specific shapes and colors? Would the double scapular you wear be considered a “valid” st Michael scapular. I have also read that they are not valid if they are not made of 100% wool.