The Blue Scapular Prayer Book

26 H istory of the B lue S capular of the I mmaculate C onception of the M ost B lessed V irgin M ary What Is a Scapular? The scapular (the word comes from the Latin scapula —meaning an arm, shoulders, and back) is a sleeveless garment consisting of two wide, rectangular pieces of material, slipped over a religious’ head onto the habit. It is a part of the religious garb of some Orders like the Benedictines or the Dominicans. Sometimes a hood, known in the East as the analobo , is attached to the scapular. This type of garb was introduced in the 5th century by St. Benedict as a scapolare propter opera —that is, an apron worn to protect the habit during physical labor. Over time this scapolare underwent some changes. It gradually became longer, and the material from which it was made changed as well. It was no longer a protective garment but a symbol, a sign of dedication to God. Spiritual writers spoke of it as iugum Christi —the yoke of Christ. In the 12th century, the Rules of the Servites, Benedictines in certain abbeys, and