The fivefold scapular includes a little crucifix, a St. Benedict Medal and five scapulars:
- Scapular of the Passion,
- Scapular of the Immaculate Conception,
- Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
- Scapular of the Seven Sorrows of Mary and
- Scapular of Most Blessed Trinity
- Dimensions - 20" cord | 2.25" x 1.75" scapulars
The Fivefold Scapular originally was a four-fold scapular (Brown, Black, Blue, and white), and is known as Redemptorist Scapular, since the Redemptorist Fathers were first granted special faculties, in perpetuity, by the Holy See to bless and invest the scapulars in 1803 and to enroll the faithful into the respective confraternities. In 1847, the Red Passionist Scapular was added to the other four to become the current form of Fivefold Scapular, and in 1886 Pope Leo XIII gave permission to bless and enroll the five scapulars cumulatively, and later the Church extended the faculty (to bless and enroll the Fivefold Scapular) to any priest.
Because it unites five approved scapulars—the Brown, Blue, Black, Red, and White—its wearer participates in all the indulgences attached to each one. The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the most ancient and renowned, promises the protection of Our Lady and the grace of final perseverance for those who die clothed in it, as well as the Sabbatine privilege for souls devoted to her. The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception recalls the purity of Mary and grants indulgences for the daily recitation of the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception or another Marian prayer. The Black Scapular of the Seven Sorrows of Mary offers indulgences for meditating on Our Lady’s sorrows and for acts of penance united with her compassion at the Cross. The Red Scapular of the Passion bestows indulgences for meditating on the Passion of Christ, especially on Fridays, and for acts of charity done in His name. Finally, the White Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity brings indulgences for honoring the Holy Trinity and invoking it with faith and love.
Those enrolled in the Five-Fold Scapular share in these indulgences, partial and plenary, under the usual conditions—sacramental confession, Holy Communion, prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, and a heart detached from sin. Thus, this single scapular becomes a treasury of heavenly favor, helping the faithful grow in virtue, obtain the remission of temporal punishment due to sin, and advance joyfully toward eternal life.
In 1190, St. John of Matha, a Spaniard, was saying his first holy Mass, when he saw over the altar the figure of an angel wearing a white robe, with a blue and red cross on the breast and the shoulder. This became the habit of the Order of the Holy Trinity. (White Scapular).
In 1240, the Blessed Virgin appeared to seven prominent citizens of Florence who bound themselves by vow to honor the Mother of God in her sorrows. She handed them the black habit of the Servites and said,"...these garments shall be to you a perpetual memory of the sufferings of my heart." (Black Scapular).
In 1251, Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock, holding in her hands the brown habit of the
Carmelites, she made this promise: "Whoever dies in this habit shall not suffer everlasting fire..." (Brown Scapular).
In 1605, Our Lord appeared to Sr. Ursula Benincasa, and made great promises if she and her fellow
nuns would adopt as their religious habit one of a light blue color in honor of the Immaculate Conception of His Mother. Sister Ursula then asked Him if He would grant similar favors of those of the Laity or of other religious orders who would wear, in honor of the Immaculate Conception, a small Blue scapular; and Our Lord did so promise. (Blue Scapular).
In 1846, Our Blessed Lord appeared to Sr. Appoline Andriveau, showing her the red scapular of the Passion, promising that a great increase of faith, hope and charity would be reserved every Friday for those who wore the scapular. This vision was several times repeated; and the extraordinary thing about it. is the rapidity with which it was approved in Rome. (Red or Passion Scapular).
The faithful should take their five-fold scapular to a Catholic priest to bless it and to enroll them.
