Editing Scapular (section)

{{Short description|Short cloak or cloth pieces, worn with ecclesiastical dress}}
{{for|the shoulder bone|Scapula}}
[[File:Cistersian priests in Szczyrzyc monastery.JPG|thumb|Black scapulars worn by [[Cistercian]] [[monk]]s as part of their [[religious habit]]s]]
[[File:Escapulariocafe.JPG|thumb|The ''devotional scapular'' of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or "Brown Scapular"]]
{{wiktionary|scapular}}

A '''scapular''' ({{etymology|la|{{wikt-lang|la|scapula}}|shoulder}}) is a [[Western Christianity|Western Christian]] garment suspended from the shoulders. There are two types of scapulars, the [[Monasticism |monastic]] and [[Catholic devotions| devotional]] scapular; both forms may simply be referred to as "scapular".<ref>J L Neve, 2007, ''Churches and Sects of Christendom''
{{ISBN|1-4067-5888-4}} page 158</ref><ref>Catherine Fournier, 2007, ''Marian Devotion in the Domestic Church'' Ignatius Press {{ISBN|1-58617-074-0}} page 18</ref> As an object of popular piety, a scapular serves to remind wearers of their [[promise | commitment]] to live a Christian life.

The "monastic scapular" appeared first, perhaps as early as the 7th century AD in the [[Order of Saint Benedict]].<ref>[[Mackenzie Edward Charles Walcott]], 2008, ''Sacred Archaeology'' Kessinger Publishing {{ISBN|978-0-548-86235-3}} page 70</ref> It is a length of cloth suspended both front and back from the shoulders of the wearer, often reaching to the knees. It may vary in shape, color, size and style. Monastic scapulars originated as [[apron]]s worn by medieval [[monk]]s, and later became part of the [[religious habit | habit]]s for members of religious organizations, [[religious order | order]]s or [[confraternities]]. Monastic scapulars now form part of the [[religious habit]] of monks and [[nun]]s in many [[religious orders]].<ref>William Johnston, ''Encyclopedia of Monasticism'' {{ISBN| 1-57958-090-4}} page 310</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Customary |url= https://saint-luke.net/about-us/rule-of-life-and-service/customary/ |publisher= [[Order of Saint Luke |The Order of Saint Luke]] |access-date= 24 June 2019 |language= en |quote= The scapular is the apron of a servant and symbolizes our commitment to servant ministry.  It is worn by lay and clergy alike without distinction, thus symbolizing our shared ministry and mission.}}</ref>

The "devotional scapular" is a much smaller item and evolved from the monastic scapular. Devotional scapulars may be worn by individuals who are not members of a monastic order. The devotional scapular typically consists of two small (usually rectangular) pieces of cloth, wood or laminated paper, a few inches in size, which may bear religious images or text. These are joined by two bands of cloth. The wearer places one square on the chest, rests the bands one on each shoulder and lets the second square drop down the back.<ref>James O'Toole, 2005, ''Habits of Devotion: Catholic Religious Practice in Twentieth-Century America'', Cornell University Press {{ISBN|978-0-8014-7255-8}} page 98</ref><ref>Matthew Bunson, 2004, ''Encyclopedia of Catholic History'', OSV Press {{ISBN|978-1-59276-026-8}} page 804</ref>

In many cases, both forms of the scapular come with a set of [[promise]]s made by or to the faithful who wear them. Some of the promises are rooted in tradition.<ref>Frances Andrews, 2006, [https://books.google.com/books?id=gqGfBwAAQBAJ ''The Other Friars: The Carmelite, Augustinian, Sack and Pied Friars in the Middle Ages''], {{ISBN|978-1-84383-258-4}} page 33</ref>{{qn|date=September 2023}}<ref>
Samuel Phillips Day, 2009, ''Monastic institutions'' BiblioLife {{ISBN|1-103-07534-9}} page 108</ref>{{qn|date=September 2023}}