Editing Scapular (section)

===Monastic scapular===
[[File:San Hugo en el Refectorio.jpg|thumb|left|[[Carthusians]] in white hooded scapulars, by [[Francisco de Zurbarán]], 1630–1635]] 
Today, the monastic scapular is part of the garb, the [[Religious habit|habit]], of many Christian [[religious order]]s, of both [[monk]]s and [[nun]]s. It is an outer garment about the width of the chest, from shoulder to shoulder. It hangs down in the front and back almost to the feet, but is open on the sides (it was originally joined by straps at the waist). It is related to the ''analavos'' worn in the [[Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism|Eastern tradition]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Historically, the monastic scapular was at times referred to as ''scutum'' (i.e. shield), as it was laid over the head, which it originally covered and protected with one portion (from which the hood afterwards developed).<ref name=catholic/> A specific aspect of the use of the monastic scapular from its earliest days was obedience and the term ''jugum Christi'', i.e. "yoke of Christ", was used to refer to it. The term "yoke of Christ" signified obedience and removing a scapular was like removing the [[yoke]] of Christ, i.e. rebelling against authority. For instance, the Carmelite constitution of 1281 prescribed that the scapular should be worn to bed under penalty of serious fault, and the constitution of 1369 included automatic excommunication for a Carmelite saying Mass without a scapular.<ref>John Welch, 1996, ''The Carmelite Way'' Paulist Press {{ISBN|978-0-8091-3652-0}} page 58</ref><ref>[http://www.zenit.org/article-23225?l=english Father Kieran Kavanaugh, 2008, ''Scapular Devotion''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504164642/http://www.zenit.org/article-23225?l=english |date=2009-05-04 }}</ref>
[[File:Carmelitas de la comunidad de Nogoyá.jpg|thumb|left|[[Discalced Carmelites]] from Argentina wearing the characteristical scapular of their religious habit]]
Over the centuries the religious orders adapted the basic scapular as they considered appropriate for themselves, as a result of which there are now several distinct designs, colors, shapes and lengths in use. The [[Carthusians]] and others attached a hood to their scapular, rather than keeping the former a separate item of their habit, while some, like the [[Dominican Order]] or [[Carmelites]], wear it beneath another layer, like a shoulder cape or capuce (that is, the "hood"). The color selection could change over time; for instance, prior to 1255, the [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] scapulars for novices were black and those of the lay brethren were white, but thereafter all scapulars but those of the lay brethren had to be white.<ref>Francis de Zulueta, 2008, ''Early Steps In The Fold'', Miller Press, {{ISBN|978-1-4086-6003-4}} page 89</ref>

In some cases the monastic scapular was used to distinguish the rank or level of the wearer within a religious order. In some [[Byzantine]] monastic practices, two levels of fully professed monk or nun exist: those of the "little habit" and those other of the "great habit", these being more senior and not having to do manual labor. In these cases, the "great habit" was simply distinguished from the "little habit" by the addition of a scapular decorated with the [[instruments of the Passion]].<ref>Aleksei Pentkovsky, 1999, ''The Pilgrim's Tale'' Paulist Press {{ISBN|0-8091-3709-7}} page 43</ref>

Just as the stole is the vestment that came to mark the office of a [[priest]], the monastic scapular became the equivalent for those in the monastic life and even today, a long scapular identifies its wearer as a member of a religious order. It is a symbol of the confraternal way, combining in itself the principle of ''[[ora et labora]]'' (prayer and work), and so the form was later adopted by pious laity who wished to have an open sign of their devotion.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}