Green Scapular

The Green Scapular (also called The Badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) is a Catholic devotional article approved by Pope Pius IX in 1870. It is worn to gain the intercession of the Virgin Mary in the wearer's life and work, as well as (especially) at the moment of one's own death. Use of this article is generally understood to be more liberal than other scapulars; the favor it earns will apply to anyone who wears it, carries it, or simply keeps it aside. It can be carried or kept by one party in the stead of another if circumstances impede the intended recipient to safely or practically accept it.

It is called a scapular due to its origin, material construction, and generally-similar appearance to other Catholic scapulars, but is not descended from the scapulars that form part of the habit worn by religious orders.Ball, Ann. 2003 Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices, page 217, Evidence of this is apparent when comparing the scapular to those of other historic colors; the green scapular has one badge of cloth, and every other sanctioned scapular has at least two.

The development of the green scapular is based on visions reportedly experienced in 1840 by Sister Justine Bisqueyburu, a member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Background

Almost ten years after Saint Catherine Labouré, a member of the same Congregation of the Daughters of Charity, reported several apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in 1830, at the motherhouse in the Rue du Bac, Paris, that resulted on the creation of the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady of Graces. According to Chris Maunder, the visions of the Rue du Bac inspired other similar accounts among the French Vincentian nuns during the 1840s.Maunder, Chris. Our Lady of the Nations: Apparitions of Mary in 20th-century Catholic Europe, Oxford University Press, 2016;

A second Daughter of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Sister Justine Bisqueyburu, reported a similar experience in 1840, that led to the creation of the Green Scapular. In 1846 Sister Apolline Andriveau purportedly received a vision at Troyes, France, that formed the basis of the Red Scapular of the Passion.Hilgers, Joseph. "Scapular." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912

Description The Green Scapular consists of a single rectangular piece of green cloth suspended from a green cord. Unlike traditional devotional scapulars, which ordinarily consist of two pieces of cloth, it has only one cloth badge, with a devotional image on each side. Marie Edouard Mott described its original form as resembling “more like a medallion of cloth” than a scapular in the ordinary sense.

One side depicts the Virgin Mary as Justine Bisqueyburu reported seeing her in her apparitions: dressed in a long white gown and light-blue mantle, with uncovered hair falling loosely about her shoulders and holding her Immaculate Heart. The other side depicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary, radiant and pierced by a sword. The heart is surrounded by an oval inscription, surmounted by a cross, reading: “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death.”

Mott noted that the designation “scapular” was technically imprecise because the object was not derived from the habit of a religious order or associated with a confraternity. He stated that “Badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” had been considered a more exact name, but that Green Scapular had already become established in common usage.

Devotional use Since it is not the emblem of a confraternity but simply a double image attached to a single piece of cloth, no investiture is necessary. The only requirement is that the Green Scapular be blessed by a priest and worn or carried by the person wishing to benefit by it. The Scapular may also be worn about the neck, placed under the pillow, kept in a wallet, or placed in one's clothing. The prayer, "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death", should with confidence be said for or by the person. Sr Justine told her superior about the visions and, subsequently, her spiritual director, Jean-Marie Aladel, C.M. who was skeptical and told her she was deluded.Rybolt, John E., The Vincentians: A General History of the Congregation of the Mission, Volume 4, New City Press, 2014, no pagination

When invoked under this title and through this holy image, the Virgin Mary is said to obtain great favours from her Son, especially in the areas of physical health, peace of mind and spiritual conversion. She would particularly obtain the conversion of those who had fallen away from the faith.

Shrines There is a diocesan shrine of Our Lady of the Green Scapular at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, Wisconsin, in the Diocese of Madison. The shrine can be traced as far back as 1950 when the parish was founded. "When the permanent parish church was finally completed in 1961, it was designed with this Marian devotion in mind." At the time, in 1961, it was "the World Shrine of Our Lady of the Green Scapular." "A mosaic on the front of the building depicts Our Lady giving the Green Scapular to Sr. Justine Bisqueyburu, the visionary who received it from her in 1840 in France."

With Marian devotion falling out of style in the late 1960s and 1970s, the shrine was removed from the parish and traded hands several times. However, there has been renewed interest in the shrine and on the 18th of June, 2023, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monona, Wisconsin was once again designated a shrine to Our Lady of the Green Scapular.

Green Scapular

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