Have you heard of the Purple Scapular of Benediction and Protection?
The Purple Scapular of Benediction and Protection is a sacramental said to offer protection from natural disasters and supernatural danger.
This lesser-known devotion is based on private revelations from Our Lady and her Son to approved mystic and stigmatist, Marie-Julie Jahenny.
According to the Mary Foundation,
“In 1878, in a small town in the northwest corner of France, Our Lady and Jesus himself appeared to the approved mystic and stigmatist, Marie-Julie Jahenny. They showed her the truly astounding Scapular of Benediction and Protection, more commonly known simply as the Purple Scapular.”
During the vision on August 23, 1878, Our Lady shared the promises of this incredible devotion, saying:
“My children, all souls, all people who possess this scapular will see their family protected. Their home will also be protected, foremost from fires…for a long time my Son and I have had the desire to make known this scapular of benediction…This first apparition of this scapular will be a new protection for the times of the chastisements, of the calamities, and the famines. All those who are clothed (with it) shall pass under the storms, the tempests, and the darkness. They will have light as if it were plain day.”
During the ecstasy of Marie-Julie Jahenny, Jesus also appeared, adding that those who possess the scapular will be spared pains of the soul and will be sheltered from any danger.
What is the Purple Scapular of Benediction and Protection?
In her detailed account, Marie-Julie Jahenny explained that Mary showed her the purple scapular on her Immaculate heart. The scapular was larger than ordinary scapulars and a beautiful purple in color. In the middle, there were three nails which crucified Our Lord. At the tip of each nail, a drop of vermilion blood.
Marie-Julie Jahenny continued,
“Above the nails heads, there is a sort of big sponge, with a bark that rises up, more or less like on oat husks. The three drops of blood come together, about to fall into a little chalice painted in red, and the chalice is surrounded by a crown of thorns, there are three little cross engraved on the front of this chalice. This is one side of the scapular, which the Blessed Virgin is wearing on her cloak.
“I notice that this scapular is held in place by two violet-coloured straps which go over each shoulder, there are three knots on the left shoulder and two on the right one.
“The other side (back) of the scapular portrays the Blessed Virgin Mary sitting down, holding her adorable Son in her arms, the mouth and head of Our Lord are laid against the heart of the Blessed Virgin. At the bottom of the scapular, and almost at Our Lord’s foot, there is an angel dressed in white, with curly hair, wearing a white crown on his head, and a red belt. He is holding in his hands a white cloth, with which he wipes Our Lord’s feet. Beside the angel, to the right of the scapular, there is a picture of a ladder. Behind Our Lord, to the left, there is the reed from the Passion painted in red, but there is no sponge. To the right, can be seen the tears of the Blessed Virgin which fall on Her breast, stopping at the Angel’s feet. There is a red border around the scapular and the straps are made of wool.”
The Three Salutations of the Purple Scapular
During the ecstasy, Jesus also spoke saying:
“I am addressing Myself to you, My victim, and also to My other victims and My servant, My children of the Cross. I want to reveal to you an idea, a profound thought – it is for this reason I have come now.
"I wish to speak to you of the time when I was taken off the Cross and entrusted to My Mother – this descent, this matter for reflection, is a devotion, which is little known. By producing this scapular, I would like that these moments penetrate into the hearts of the children of the Cross, and that they would salute me by these three salutations:
'I salute You, crucified Jesus, for granting me life.
I salute You with all the joy of the Angels and Saints during Your descent from the Cross.
I salute You with the sorrow of your Mother when You were placed on her Heart and on her Immaculate lap.'”
Required Meditation and Prayers of the Purple Scapular
Jesus told Marie-Julie Jahenny that every priest can bless the Purple Scapular and that souls wearing this scapular should pray the Crux Ave five or seven times. They should also meditate on His Holy Passion for one to three minutes.
As part of the daily meditation, the three salutations mentioned above should be used.
These are the Crux Ave prayers given to Marie-Julie Jahenny:
1) “Crux Ave, spes Unica! Et Verbum caro factum est. Jesus, Vanquisher of death save us!”
2) “I hail thee, adorable cross of my Saviour. Guard us, keep us, save us! Jesus loved you so much. Following His example, I love you. By your holy image, calm our fears, that I feel only peace and confidence!”
Personal Experience with the Purple Scapular
Christine Watkins, MTS, LCSW, and founder of Queen of Peace Media has shared her personal experience with the Purple Scapular. She also responds to those skeptical of these revelations, saying,
“Many, including myself, have seen God perform miracles of amazing protection through the Purple Scapular. The Bishop of Nantes fully supported Marie-Julie Jahenny, but this does not entail full Church endorsement, nor condemnation. She is in a middle category. The faithful are free to believe in private apparitions that have not been condemned, but they are not required to. She is clearly a holy mystic (I believe one of the greatest).”
Exorcist Father Chad Ripperger discusses the Purple Scapular below:
The Purple Scapular Prayer Routine
I salute thee, Jesus crucified,
for granting me life.
I salute thee with all the joy
of the angels and saints during
your descent from the Cross.
I salute thee with the sadness
of your mother while you rested
on her Immaculate heart and lap.
Repeat 5 times:
O Crux Ave, spes unica,
et Verbum caro factum est.
O Jesus, conqueror of death, save us!
Amen.