Wearing Grace: The Miraculous Medal, the Brown Scapular, and the Power of Enrollment

People of all faiths carry sacred objects. Some wear crosses or prayer beads. Others carry oil or a special stone. In the Catholic tradition, we have the Miraculous Medal and the Brown Scapular. These are more than jewelry or cloth. They are signs that we belong to Mary and want to walk close to Jesus.

These items are not magic. They are reminders. They help us stay focused on prayer and on the presence of God. They help us stay close to the heart of the Blessed Mother.

The Miraculous Medal

In the year 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a young woman named Saint Catherine Laboure. Mary showed her a medal and asked her to have it made and shared. The medal had the words, “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Mary promised special graces to anyone who wore the medal with faith and love. Over the years many people have felt peace, healing, and comfort from wearing it. The medal helps us remember that Mary is always near, praying for us and pointing us toward her Son.

The Brown Scapular

The Brown Scapular is a small piece of brown cloth worn over the shoulders. It comes from the Carmelite tradition and goes back to a vision of Saint Simon Stock in the 1200s. Mary promised that those who wore the scapular with faith would not be lost. She would guide them and pray for them always.

Wearing the scapular is a sign of trust. It means we belong to Mary and want to live a holy life. It is a simple way to stay close to God and remember that we are under Mary’s care.

Why Enrollment Matters

You can wear the medal or scapular without any ceremony. But there is a deeper blessing if you are enrolled by a priest. This is a short prayer service where the medal or scapular is blessed and placed on you. It brings you into the full spiritual promise of the devotion.

Enrollment is free. You do not have to sign up or fill out forms. You can bring the prayers below to your parish priest. Or you can contact me and I will help you receive it.

Enrollment in the Miraculous Medal

Priest says

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Blessing

O Lord Jesus Christ, You gave us the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us. May all who wear this medal with love and faith receive her care and many blessings. Amen.

(Sprinkle the medal with holy water. Give it to the person)

Receive this medal as a sign of your trust in Mary. May she guide you to Jesus. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Enrollment in the Brown Scapular

Priest says

Show us Your mercy, Lord

And grant us Your salvation

Lord, hear my prayer

And let my cry come to You

The Lord be with you

And with your spirit

Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, bless this scapular. May those who wear it with faith receive the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Your grace in life and in death. Amen.

(Sprinkle the scapular with holy water. Place it on the person)

Receive this scapular as a sign of your love for Mary. May it remind you to live in prayer and peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Join a Confraternity

You can also join a confraternity, which is a prayer group connected to these devotions. These groups pray for each other every day. You do not have to attend meetings. You are simply part of a spiritual family.

Here are some places you can enroll:

• The Confraternity of the Brown Scapular

• The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal

• The Association of the Miraculous Medal in Missouri

A Final Word

These are quiet devotions. They do not shout or demand attention. But they change lives. When we wear the scapular or medal, we carry a sign of Mary’s love and our desire to follow Jesus more closely.

If you want to be enrolled or have questions, I will gladly help. You can bring this to your parish priest or reach out to me directly.

Let us walk with Mary. She will always lead us to Christ.