The Green Scapular http://olrl.org/pray/greenscapular.shtml
Ten years after the manifestation of the Miraculous Medal to St. Catherine Laboure, the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8, 1840, the Feast of her Nativity, entrusted the Green Scapular of her Immaculate Heart to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu, a religious of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Our Lady promised that this new Scapular would contribute to the conversion of souls, particularly those who have no faith, and would procure for them a happy death. The Green Scapular is a single piece of green felt and braid with a picture of the sword and dripping blood, surmounted by a cross and encircled by the words: "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death." The Green Scapular is truly a remarkable piece of cloth. The devil has no power over whoever makes it, wears it or spreads devotion to it. All who wear the Green Scapular confirm to the evil one, that they are agents of the Mother of God and the devil knows he is powerless to hurt them. God wills the Green Scapular to become a badge . . . a most sure barrier to the evil one's assault upon the soul. The manner of using the scapular was indicated by the Blessed Virgin. Since it is not the emblem of a confraternity but simply a double image attached to a single piece of cloth, no investiture is necessary. The only requirement is that the Green Scapular be blessed by a priest and worn or carried by the person wishing to benefit by it. If however, the person in need of grace is obstinate, the Green Scapular may be placed secretly inside his clothing, home or possessions, and the giver should say the prayer instead. The only prayer necessary, which may be said many times daily, but should be said at least once a day is: "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death." Although many graces are obtained, they are proportionate to the confidence with which it is given. The Green Scapular was twice approved by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1863 and again in 1870, When he said: " write to these good Sisters that I authorize them to make and distribute it." Our Lady has made this promise: "to come to the assistance of any person who uses it as an act of love for me and I shall bless all hearts on Earth who spread devotion to my Green Scapular." The following testimony by Father Robert A. Macdonald, C.Ss.R. is great proof of this promise: Let me tell you the story of how I discovered the Green Scapular. This is my only way of trying to spread a true and tender love of her Immaculate Heart and of paying my debt to her. Some years ago, before penicillin was in use, I was lying in a hospital very ill with pneumonia. I began to hemorrhage and the doctors decided to operate as a last resource. Then a little nun came into my room. "Father, have you great faith in the Mother of God, especially in her Immaculate Heart? If so, you can be cured." "How, Sister?" "Through the Green Scapular." "What is that?" "Four years ago, Father, I was operated on for cancer. I was so filled with it, that they just closed me up and sent me away to die. Then I prayed to Our Lady of the Green Scapular; grew tired of waiting to die and came back to work. I am cured, Father. Do you want me to give you a Scapular?" "Please, Sister." With that she put one over my head. A feeling of tremendous confidence poured into me and the bleeding stopped. Two days later, in the x-ray room, they asked me when the hemorrhage had ceased. When I replied that it was a matter of a couple of days, they expressed great surprise. "You have a wound that is six months healed and there is no other mark." Today even the scars are gone. No wonder I speak of an unpayable debt to her Immaculate Heart. Since then I have done everything possible to foster this devotion. To my great joy and amazement, those to whom I have spoken of the Green Scapular have become more zealous then I. Never have I seen the equal of the faith and confidence of these new apostles of Mary. Is your heart heavy because you see a loved one living a Godless life? Our Blessed Mother gave us one means of converting a loved one when she appeared to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu in 1840 carrying the cloth of conversion---the Green Scapular. She said, 'This holy badge of my Immaculate Heart is to be the means of conversion of souls...' Over a six year period our Lady appeared many times to Sister Justine and answered her many questions concerning the scapular and its usage. Our Lady said the Green Scapular needs no special blessing nor does one need to be invested or enrolled in it. Any priest may bless it. It may be worn or carried by the person you wish to benefit. It may even be placed unknown to the individual in his or her clothes, bed or room should they refuse to take it or wear it. Everyday one should say the prayer, 'IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, PRAY FOR US NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.' If the person for whom the scapular is intended will not say the prayer then the one who gives the scapular must say it in his or her place, everyday. Concerning the power of the Green Scapular with regard to conversions, remember confidence in the Mother of God is the key. She said,"The greatest graces come from using the scapular but these graces come in direct proportion to the degree of confidence in me which the user has." St. Bridget had that confidence in the Blessed Mother. Because of it Our Lady revealed to her, 'that there is no sinner in the world, however much he or she may be at enmity with God, who does not return to Him and recover His grace, if he or she has recourse to me and asks my assistance. Holy Postage Christmas <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Holy Postage <*}}}>< <*}}}><<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom!<*}}}>< --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
