What Is a Scapular Medal?
A scapular medal, a small metal medallion, is a symbol of the Roman Catholic faith. It is a spiritual "descendant" of the cloth scapular.
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Appearance
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The scapular medal must bear the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the "right" side; and a representation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God on the obverse side. It can be made of any kind of metal.
Purpose
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The scapular medal replaces one or more cloth "small" scapulars. Different religious orders created different cloth scapulars to represent indulgences or devotions granted by certain prayers and blessings that "invested" the scapular with those properties.
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Differences
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Except for materials and the depictions of the images required by Pope Pius, all scapular medals are considered identical. Because the investiture prayers differentiate them, different scapular medals are unnecessary.
History
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According to the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, cloth scapulars represent the hoods that were originally part of the monastic habit. Pope Pius introduced the scapular medal in 1910.
Significance
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Many devout Catholics wear scapular medals. In addition, members of various religious orders still were scapulars as part of their traditional habits.
Purchase
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Many Roman Catholic websites sell scapular medals. Your local church might also be able to order scapular medals, as well.
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