Why I wear a scapular

I always get this question from people: “Why do you wear a scapular?”

I got my scapulars from Lipa and Manaoag and had them blessed there. I’m a devotee of the Lady of the Mediatrix and the Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. I can’t remember how long I’ve been wearing my scapular. It was just there like my arms and limbs. I don’t take it off even when bathing.

My scapulars would stay around my neck for “short infinities.” The one I’m wearing now is my second in a long, long time. I make sure that I have spare scapulars in all my bags and wallets so if it snaps I replace it immediately.

Some people say that a person who wears a scapular goes straight to the heaven when he passes on. But I wasn’t thinking about heaven when I started wearing one. I just had it.

Scapular is from the Latin word scapulae which means shoulders. According to Wikipedia, the scapular is a symbol of piety and serves as a reminder to the wearer of his commitment to live a Christian life. The exact origin of the scapular as a practical garment is still being debated by scholars. (Meanwhile, I just wear mine!)

Based on Wikipedia, the monastic scapular dates back to as early as the 7th century in the Order of Saint Benedict. It is a long cloth suspended at the front and back from the shoulders of the wearer, often reaching to the knees. Monastic scapulars are believed to have originated from an apron-like cloth worn by medieval monks. On the other hand, the devotional scapular is smaller and may be worn by those who are not members of a monastic order. It consists of two little (usually rectangular) pieces of cloth, wood or laminated paper that display religious images or text. They are connected by two bands of cloth that are placed on each shoulder with one square resting on the chest and the second square dropping down the back.

Every time I meet people, they look straight at my face and then at my scapular to check if it’s there. It has become a fixture. It has become part of who I am.

I’m fidgety without my scapular. I touch it in times of joy and peril. I automatically search for my scapular when I am not feeling well and when I don’t feel secure either emotionally or physically. When I won in the Asian Television Awards for The Bottomline, I remember I was holding on to my scapular pressing it nervously against my chest. When I have a bum stomach, I hold on to my scapular for safety.

When I was doing Private Conversations on ANC, there was a kind lady who wanted to give me a gold or silver scapular. She was coaxing me, writing me short notes saying that if I needed one, all I had to do was to let her know. And she said she was giving it to me as a present. I assured her that I was happy with my old reliable scapular.

Most recently, I got a surprise gift. It was a silver scapular from my dear friend Dawn Zulueta. It was a birthday gift that she planned to give me last year. She wrote in her message, “I’ve long been waiting to give you a scapular like this. And I finally found it. I hope you will like it. A very happy though belated happy birthday.” I truly appreciate this present.

My scapular is in itself a prayer; a reminder of my great devotion to Mama Mary. It is tantamount to going to Baclaran Church where I go once a week (not necessarily during Wednesdays) and which I’ve been doing for the past 20 years. I go to Baclaran in the wee hours of the morning and there, I talk to Her and to Jesus about everything in silence.

I also wear my rosary around my neck but unlike my scapular, I take it off when I sleep or when I take a bath.

I was once asked about my take on people who wear rosaries as a fashion statement. I said that I’d rather they wear rosaries than demonic pendants! What’s wrong if it’s a fashion statement? God should be everywhere. God should be in fashion!