Many Catholics wear a scapular. In fact, those who wear it are rarely without it except perhaps when bathing. It is as much a part of us as a wedding band, a symbol that signifies our love or commitment to another; in this case to the Blessed Mother and through her to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The scapular consists of two pieces of rectangular cloth that represent a monk’s habit. One rectangle rests on the wearer’s front (near the collarbone / upper chest), while the other hangs on their back, while the band runs over the shoulders. On the cloth is an image of a special devotion to a particular Saint, often the Blessed Mother, Mary.

Any Catholic can wear the scapular—even children! There is also a scapular investment ceremony which a priest can perform. After that, you simply wear the scapular faithfully and keep the spiritual commitments that are attached to it. It is important to remember that the scapular is not a "magic amulet."

There are now more than a dozen types of scapulars approved by the Church: brown scapulars, white scapulars, green scapulars, and many others, each associated with a different devotion to Our Lady, Our Lord, a saint, a religious order, etc., and worn as a sign of special consecration to that devotion.