The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-01-21
THE SUBSTITUTION OF MEDALS
FOR SCAPULARS.

The following decree OF the Con-
gregation of the Holy Office extends to
all Catholics the privilege of substi-
tuting blessed medal for the cloth
scapular usually worn. Early in the
year 1909, the Vicar Apostolic of the
Belgian Congo, petitioned the Roman
Congregation to allow the Catholic
natives of his vicariate to wear
medal instead of the ordinary scapu-
lar. This petition was based on sani-
tary reasons alone; for, as the Vicar
Apostolic declared, the cloth scapu-
lar, after a short time, became soiled
owing to the dust and perspiration;
and as the poor negroes were accus-
toned to wear them on their uncov-
cred bodies in public profession of
their faith, this means of distinguish
ing them from their pagan neighbors
was soon reduced to an unbecoming
piece of cloth. The permission then
granted to the Catholic negroes of the
Congo is now made universal.
Decree of Pope Plus TX.
"Since it is we'll known that the
holy scapulars, as they are called, do
much to foster devotion in the faith
full and excite them to resolutions for
a more holy life in order that the
pious usage calculated to make them
better known may grow from day to
day, our Most Holy Lord Plus x, by
Divine Providence Supreme Pontiff,
although earnestly desiring that the
faithful should continue to carry them,
as has hitherto been their custom,
nevertheless, complying with the petit
lions presented to him by a large num-
Der of persons, has graciously deigned
to decree, after taking a vote of the
Most Eminent Fathers the Cardinals
of the Inquisition, in an audience
granted to the Rev. Assessor of this
Supreme Congregation on Dec 16 of
the present year, that: it is lawful for
all the faithful who have been en-
rolled by the regular ceremonial, as it
| is termed, or shall afterwards be en-
rolled in one or several of the scapu-
lars of the genuine kind approved by
the Holy See excepting those which
are proper to the Third Orders), to
wear henceforth on their persons, in
stead of one or more scapulars of
cloth, a single metal medal, either at
the neck or otherwise, provided it be
with due decorum, by which, Observ-
ing the laws proper to each, they may
gain and participate in all the spirit
ual favours (the Sabbatine privilege,
as it is called, of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel not excepted) and all the in,
dulgences attached to each; the right
side of this medal must bear the
image of Our Lord Jesus Christ show
ing His Most Sacred Heart, and the
diverse that of the Blessed Virgin
Mary; the medal must be blessed by
separate blessing for each of the
scapulars imposed according to the
wish of the applicant; finally, each
blessing can be impaired by making a
single sign of the Cross, either at the
enrolling itself Immediately after the
regular imposition of the scapular, OF
later on, at the convenience of the ap
plicant. 1t does not matter whether
nor whether the time that intervenes
between them is more or less. They
can be impaired by any priest, even by
one other than the priest who enrolled
the applicant, provided he has facul
ties either ordinary or delegated tt
bless the respective scapulars. How
ever, the limits, clauses, and condi
lions of the first faculties are not tt
be changed. All things whatsoever tt
the contrary, even those worthy O.
special mention Notwithstanding.
"Given at Rome from the Office o.
the Holy Office, 16 Dec. 1910.
/ A1oisius Giambene
According to this decree, the faithful
! are permitted to substitute a single
: medal for all the Scapulars approved
: by the Holy See except those of the
, Third Orders. All who wear this
medal suspended around their necks
or carry it on their persons, gain all the
indulgences and enjoy all the. priv
leges granted to those who wear tn,
Scapular in the ordinary way. TIL,
authorized medal must pear on on,
side a picture of our Lord shown.
His Sacred Heart and on the othe
similar image of the Blessed Virgin
All priests who have faculties to bles
Scapulars and enroll the faithful il
them, have power to bless the medals
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