Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel
Encyclopedia
The Scapular of St. Michael is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular associated with St. Michael, the Archangel.
Pope Pius IX
gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII
, who sanctioned the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael. Indulgences were approved by the Congregation of Indulgences in 1903. Each member of the confraternity
is invested with the scapular.
The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?
" meaning Who is like God?, a translation of the Hebrew name of Michael (Mi "who", cha "like", el "god"). Pious tradition attributes these words to St. Michael, the Archangel and in art it is often used as the Archangel is portrayed slays Satan, asking this question scornfully.
Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
, who sanctioned the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael. Indulgences were approved by the Congregation of Indulgences in 1903. Each member of the confraternity
Confraternity
A confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy...
is invested with the scapular.
The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?
Quis ut Deus?
Quis ut Deus?, a Latin sentence meaning "Who is like God?", is a literal translation of the name Michael ."Michael" appears as the name of several men in the Old Testament. In the Book of Daniel it is the name of the "prince" of the people of Israel...
" meaning Who is like God?, a translation of the Hebrew name of Michael (Mi "who", cha "like", el "god"). Pious tradition attributes these words to St. Michael, the Archangel and in art it is often used as the Archangel is portrayed slays Satan, asking this question scornfully.
See also
- ScapularScapularThe term scapular as used today refers to two specific, yet related, Christian Sacramentals, namely the monastic and devotional scapulars, although both forms may simply be referred to as "scapular"....
- Rosary and scapularRosary and scapular"The Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable" was a sentiment expressed by Lucia Santos, one of the three children who reported the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima in 1917, and later the Pontevedra apparitions in 1925...
- Saint Michael (Roman Catholic)
- Chaplet of St. Michael
- Prayer to Saint MichaelPrayer to Saint MichaelThe Prayer to Saint Michael is a prayer, used mainly by Catholics, which is addressed to Michael the archangel.Pope Leo XIII added it in 1886 to the Leonine Prayers, which he had directed to be said after Low Mass two years earlier. The practice of reciting these prayers after Mass was suppressed...
External links
- Scapular image http://shieldofstmichael.com/stm2.jpg
- Scapular image http://www.inhisname.com/images/scapular/StMichael.jpg
- Scapular image http://shieldofstmichael.com/mtcarm1.jpg
