Vigil of St. John the Baptist in Kildare

St. Conleth's Association celebrated the vigil of the nativity of St. John the Baptist by making its annual pilgrimage to Monasterevin. St. John is almost unique in having a feast to mark his earthly birth. Only Jesus and Mary have such feasts celebrated in the Church's calendar.

It was lovely to see so many people for our second visit to Monasterevin. Thanks to the Parish Priest for such a warm welcome. The Church is very lovely. If you'd like to find out more about the history of the Church you can find some information on the report of last year's Mass. 

The Association gained several new members after Mass. As the celebrant was a Capuchin Priest, he blessed Scapulars of Saint Joseph after Mass and distributed them to those present. Many people did not seem aware of the history of the scapular, which can be found here. It was great to hear the positive feedback on the choir. It would be lovely to have some more singers if anybody else was thinking of getting involved.

Latin Mass in Duiske Abbey & Scapulars of Saint Joseph

On 31st March, 2012, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered in the Gregorian Rite using the 1962 Missal in Duiske Abbey, Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. It was a Requiem Mass for our deceased Chaplain, Fr. Desmond Flanagan, O.Carm. The Mass was celebrated by a Capuchin Priest. The Scapular of Saint Joseph (previously featured on this blog) was originally particular to the Capuchin Franciscan Order. After Mass, Scapulars of Saint Joseph were blessed and imposed upon those present. An account of the Mass organised by St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association in 2011 can be found here. Some background to the Abbey can be found here.

Red Scapular of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

The small scapulars with which we are familiar as sacramentals owe their origin to a reduction of the large scapulars that formed part of the habit of Religious Orders and Congregations. This scapular was another of the scapulars approved during the reign of Pope Leo XIII without a confraternity. Although it was never the habit of any Order or Confraternity the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, founded at Antwerp in 1873 created this scapular in 1877 and were responsible for its promotion (Acta S. Sedis, XXXII, 633 sq.). It was approved at the request of the Archbishop of Marseilles, by the S. Congregation of Rites in 1900. Indulgences were granted to those who wear it habitually in 1901 and were enlarged in 1906.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, be Thou my Salvation!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, be thou my refuge!

Black Scapular of the Passion

The Black Scapular of the Passion apertains to the Congregation of the Passionists. Saint Paul of the Cross, it is related, was privileged to receive in apparition the black habit of which the Order now wears, with the badge displayed upon its breast. The Scapular which members of the Confraternity may wear is a replica of the badge adopted for the Order by St. Paul of the Cross, namely a heart surmounted by a cross with the inscription "Jesu XPI Passio", beneath which are the words "sit semper in cordibus nostris" and hanging at the back is a simple piece of black woollen cloth. Priests having received the necessary faculties from the Superior-General of the Passionists may bless and invest with the scapular, which grants indulgences approved by the Congregation of Indulgences on 10th May, 1877.

May the Passion of Christ be always in our hearts!

Black Scapular of Saint Benedict

The Scapular of St. Benedict is the emblem of the confraternity of that saint, founded in the latter half of the 19th century with the object of associating the faithful with the Benedictine Order. The Confraternity was granted indulgences in 1882 and 1883, and members wear a small black cloth scapular in two segments, one of which usually has a picture of Saint Benedict, although not strictly required.

St. Benedict, pray for us!

White Scapular of the Holy Face

The Scapular of the Holy Face, of white cloth has a copy of the famous Roman picture associated with Saint Veronica. Members of the Arch-confraternity have the option of wearing the picture on a medal or cross instead of the scapular, but no indulgence attaches to the practice of wearing the picture, since it is merely one of the acts of piety practiced by them.

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.

White Scapular of Saint Dominic

Pope Pius X again in 1903 granted an indulgence to wearers of the Scapular of Saint Dominic. The Scapular is of white wool, and while no image is necessary yet the scapular given in the house of the Dominican General in Rome bears a picture of Saint Dominic kneeling before the crucifix, on one side, and of Blessed Reginald receiving the habit from Our Blessed Lady, on the other.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!
Saint Dominic, pray for us!
Blessed Reginald, pray for us!

Black and Blue Scapular of St. Michael

When, in 1880, Leo XIII raised the Confraternity in honour of St. Michael the Archangel, to the rank of an Arch-confraternity, he conferred a signal honour on the Confraternity founded in 1878 in Rome, and Pisheria. And in 1883, the Congregation of Rites by Decree aproved the summary of indulgences, later to be approved forever by the Congregation in 1903.

The scapular is in two segments, and takes the form of a shield. One segment is of blue cloth; the other black with one cord of blue and one of black. St. Michael the Archangel is shown slaying the dragon, and it is inscribed "Quis ut Deus."

St. Michael Archangel, pray for us!

White Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Originated with the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1877, and sanctioned by Pius IX on 11th May, 1877, the Scapular of the Immaculate heart of Mary was approved by the Congregation of Rites in 1907 when its form was more precisely set down. It is of white wollen cloth, the poriton hanging before the breast representing the Heart of Mary out of which grows a lily. The Heart, pierced with a sword, is surrounded by a wreath of roses.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death!

Violet and Yellow Scapular of Saint Joseph

In 1880 Leo XIII approved yet another scapular so familiar and widespread in the present day. In 1898 the Pope saw fit to grant to the General of the Capuchins the faculty of blessing and investing with the scapular of Saint Joseph. The scapular was approved by the Congregation of Rites on 18th April 1893 and indulgences were granted on 8th June of the same year by the Congregation of Indulgences.

The beautiful scapular is of two segments of violet coloured cloth, joined by two white cords to which are sewn two pieces of yellow-coloured material equal in size. There is a representation of St. Joseph with the Child Jesus on his right arm, and in his left a staff of lilies. Underneath is the invocation "Saint Joseph, patron of the Church, pray for us." On the other gold-coloured material is the Papal Crown (tiara), the Dove symbolising the Holy Ghost and underneath the Cross and Keys of Peter and the words "Spiritus Domini, tutor eius."

Saint Joseph, patron of the Church, pray for us!

Black Scapular of Our Lady, Help of the Sick

The Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title "Help of the Sick", is a black wollen cloth, having on the portion other the breast a copy of the picture in the Church of Saint Magdalen at Rome of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Help of the Sick, which inspired Ferdinand Vicari, a brother of the Order of Saint Camillus to found a confraternity for the poor sick under the patronage of Our Blessed Lady. The picture represents the Mother of God and at her feet Saints Joseph and Camillus, who are the other two patrons of the sick and the Confraternity. The Scapular was granted its indulgences by Pope Pius IX in 1866.

Health of the sick, pray for us!

White Scapular of Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel

Granting the petition of the Augustinians Leo XIII by Decree approved the scapular of the Mother of Good Counsel, and granted indulgences to wearers of the scapular. The representations of the scapular will have a special interest since, on oe of the two segments is shown the image of the Mother of Good Counsel from the picture in the Augustinian church in Genazzano. On the other segment are the papal arms and the words "Son, follow Her Counsel, Leo XIII."

O Virgin Mother, Lady of Good Counsel, Sweetest picture artist ever drew, In all doubts I fly to thee for guidance, Mother tell me what am I to do!

Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The most widely favoured of all scapulars, and the most familiar, is that of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the 16th of July is the feast day of scapular.

The Scapular was presented by Our Lady herself to Saint Simon Stock on 16th July 1251 at Cambridge, who appeared to him with the scapular in her hand in answer to his fervent prayers for help for his Order. The Blessed Virgin spoke to Saint Simon Stock in these words:

"Take, beloved son, this scapular of thy Order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace. Whoever dies in this garment will not suffer everlasting fire. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in all dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant."

The familiar small scapular may possibly have been worn in the latter half of the 13th century, but the weight of available evidence indicates that it did not come into existence until much later. At any rate at the beginning of the seventeenth century it was most extensively worn in all European countries.

The formula of the blessing o the scapular was published in the 'Giardino Carmeliatano' at Palermo in 1600, and it is of interest to note that the formula for the Sisters contains no reference to teh scapular, whereas there is a special blessing in the case of the Brothers. The privileges and graces promised so unequivocally by Our Blessed Mother, and espeically the Sabbatine Privilege that Mary's help will continue after death, and will be espeically effective on Saturday are indeed a precious gift, and a depthless spring of hope and consolation for the members of the confraternity, who fulfil the conditions imposed in order to earn them.

The scapular is in two segments of brown willen cloth, but black may also be used. On one side is the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, although strictly this is not required.

Queen and flower of Carmel, pray for us!

White Scapular of Our Lady of Ransom of Prisoners

A little-known scapular is that of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom of Prisoners, founded by Saint Peter Nolasco, carrying with it indulgences approved on 30th July, 1868 by the Congregation of Indulgences. The scapular is a simple one of white cloth, and the faculty of blessing and investing with it is communicated by the General of the Mercedarians.

Our Lady of Ransom, pray for us!

White Scapular of the Passion

In 1900 also, acceding to the representations of the Archbishop of Marseilles, the Scapular of the Passion was approved. Again this scapular is in two segments of white material. On one segment appears an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the emblems of the Passion; on the other a small cross of red material. Pope Pius X granted indulgences to wearers of the Scapular in 1901, and again in 1906.

May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints and also whatever good we do or evil we endure merit for us the remission of our sins, the increase of grace and the reward of everlasting life. Amen!

Green Scapular of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Another scapular widely adopted and reverenced is that of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It has its origins in the little emblem consisting of a picture of the Sacred Heart sewn on white wollen cloth, which Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque so fervently advocated shoudl be constantly carried on the person. This humble emblem was eagerly sought and worn during the French Revolution, and fervently cherished by the miserable victims of the plague at Marseilles. Pope Pius IX granted indulgences to wearers of this badge in 1872, but it was not until 1900 that the real scapular of the Sacred Heart was approved by the Congregation of Rites.

It is made up of two segments of white cloth, one having an image of the Sacred Heart, the other that of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Mercy. Numerous indulgences are the privilege of those who wear it.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee!

White Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity

An angel clad in white with a cross on its breast, is believed to have appeared to Innocent III who scantioned the foundation of the Order of the Trinitarians on 28th January, 1198. The scapular of the Confraternity of the Most Blessed Trinity, enjoying indulgences approved by decree of the Congregation of Indulgences on 12th August, 1899, is white with blue and red cross on its front protion, the longditudinal shaft of which is in red, and is ow wollen cloth. In order to obtain the indulgences of the scapular must be worn consistently. It may be blessed and invested by priests who have received the faculty from the General of the Trinitarians.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us!

Red Scapular of the Most Precious Blood

No special indulgences attach to the wearing of the Scapular of the Most Precious Blood, and in fact, members of the Confraternity may dispense with the wearing of it if they wish. The Scapular is red, one segment portraying the adoration of the Precious Blood by angels; the other portion, at the back, is merely a smaller piece of red cloth.

Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honour, save us!

Red Scapular of the Holy Passion

Another scapular which indicated the direct wishes of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is the red Scapular of the Passion. In 1846 Jesus Christ appeared to a sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and showing her a scapular, promised a great increase of faith, hope, and charity to all who would wear it on every Friday. Pope Pius IX by Rescript of 25th June 1847 gave his sanction to the scapular, and bestowed on the Lazarists the faculty of blessing and investing with it.

The Scapular is of red wollen material, on one segment of which is an image of Jesus Christ on the Cross. At the foot of the Cross are the implements of the Passion and the inscription: "Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, save us." On the other segment are shown the hearts of Jesus and Mary surmounted by a cross with the words: "Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary protect us".

Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, save us!
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary protect us!

Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception

The blue scapular of the Immaculate Conception is worn by members of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God, which was made an Arch-Confraternity in the year 1894. Indulgences were granted by the Pope Clement X who by the Brief of 30th January, 1671 also granted the faculty to bless and invest with this Scapular. The emblem is of blue wollen cloth, bearing on one portion a symbolization of the Immaculate Conception and on the other the name of Mary. Members of this Confraternity have their names registered on entolment, and they are forwarded to Rome or some other canonically erected confraternity. It is of interest to note that the foundress of the Order was privileged to have revealed to her in a vision the habit which was to be chosen.

Queen, conceived without original sin, pray for us!