Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Scapular of Saint Michael is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular associated with Michael, the Archangel and originated prior to 1878. It was formerly controlled by the now defunct Archconfraternity of the Scapular of Saint Michael.

Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel
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History

Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII. In 1878 a confraternity in honour of St. Michael the Archangel was founded in the Church of St. Eustachius at Rome, and in the following year in the Church of Sant' Angelo in Pescheria (Sancti Angeli in foro Piscium), who sanctioned the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael. In 1880 Leo XIII raised it to the rank of an archconfraternity, which was expressly called the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael. Indulgences were approved by the Congregation for Indulgences in 1903. Each member of the confraternity was invested with the scapular.[1]

Current practice

Currently, the confraternity has been extinguished and the blessing and enrollment of the scapular has fallen in the previous reserved rites, so that now it is possible for the faithful to be enrolled in this scapular by any priest.

The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael defeating Satan and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?", meaning Who is like God?, a translation of the Hebrew name of Michael (Mi — "who", cha — "like", el — "God").[2][3]

Blessing and Enrollment in the Scapular

This is the full ritual, translated into English as presented in the Weller English translation of the Rituale Romanum, for the blessing and enrollment in the Scapular of the Archangel. The priest is to be wearing a white stole.

  • 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

See also

Notes
  1. Hilgers, Joseph. "Scapular." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 26 Feb. 2015
  2. Ann Ball, 2003, Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices OSV Press ISBN 0-87973-910-X p. 520
  3. John F. Sullivan, 2009 The Externals of the Catholic Church ISBN 1-113-71408-5 p. 202

Sources
  • Rituale Romanum, editio annum 1928
  • Scapular image (detail)
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