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
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