Talk:Scapular

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I am guilty of major dumping into this article out of the Catholic Encyclopedia. I'm probably going to slowly wikify and clarify some of the texts, translate the Latin, and get rid of some of the more obscure citations.

I do not understand what the business about a "third order" means; apparently it relates to degrees of monasticism. If someone could clarify that, or better, rephrase it in more contemporary language intelligible to non-RCs, I'd appreciate it.

I also have heard of a "green scapular" but it doesn't seem to be on the list. Smerdis of Tlön 16:54, 30 Sep 2004 (UTC)

I'm not sure if having a section for each scapular is really vital; are they all notably important? Perhaps a section for th important ones, and maybe new pages for the very special? The article seems somewhat cluttered with all of them. Whosyourjudas (talk) 21:39, 1 Oct 2004 (UTC)
I did a little bit, but not enough. The point with the "Third Order" is this: The original Orders are termed "First Orders" (Think Franciscans, Benedictines, Dominicans...). When they created a feminine version, that is called the "Second Order". The third order was originally lay people who had enough duties in the world that they could not fully join a convent, but wished to share in the order's spirituality. These make promises, maybe even vows, but generally live outside the walls of the convent -- there are very large numbers of Third Order Franciscans. For the Franciscans, the First Order is the Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.), the Second Order is the Poor Clares. The "confraternities" mentioned in the article are an even lower level of connection (like a commitment to say a few prayers each day).
Really, today, the Brown Scapular has 99% of the mind-share. You occasionally hear about the green scapular (I don't remember who it is connected with, but confirm that it exists.) and the red scapular, but the brown one is "the Scapular". Any priest can induct you into the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular (or whatever its official name is). In a lot of places, this is done as a matter of routine when receiving First Communion.
I axed a paragraph or two of unnecessary detail, but this article needs some "being bold". Mpolo 14:36, Oct 2, 2004 (UTC)
I was very bold - I removed all info on specific scapulars, and moved the brown scapular to its own article: Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. If an article is written for the green scapular, it should probably be added to the same section in the article as the new link. This might be overly bold, but I think it's necessary. Whosyourjudas (talk) 04:52, 3 Oct 2004 (UTC)
I restored a little bit of info about the brown scapular, so a casual reader gets at least a little without going to the separate article. I have also tweaked the headings a bit. I'll try to get some info about the other relatively common scapulars to round out that section.Mpolo 10:55, Oct 3, 2004 (UTC)
Looks great - adding the summary was a good idea. Good luck with the others. Whosyourjudas (talk) 21:34, 3 Oct 2004 (UTC)

The Green Scapular is not really a Scapular, and is often referred to as the Green "Scapular." Ephraem 03:39, 24 October 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Brian Joseph Morgan (talk • contribs)

[edit] Inoperative external links

The following external links were not working, have therefore removed them from the article. Should they become operative again, and show themselves not to be duplications of material in other links, kindly return them to the article. Thank you. 02:35, 24 October 2007 (UTC)