MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Leaving/Giving Green Scapulars

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That is wonderful that you are trying to help your family members.

First of all, while it is certainly possible to hide the green scapular, I think it is best to try to get the other party to willingly accept it, if that is possible. I have given them to fallen away friends/family and also to a Jewish person. As I recall, I even told the Jewish person (a dear friend) that the aim was for his conversion. He accepted it from me and I believe he kept it in his drawer before he died.

For some fallen away friends, I recall tucking green scapulars in a book that was given as a gift (kind of like a bookmark). We told them the scapulars were blessed so they knew not to just throw them away. Plus, since it was in the book (a small sized Baltimore Catechism as I recall), they were likely to just leave them in there (one in each book...a small Baltimore Catechism for each person). We also gave other non-religious gifts at the same time, so it hopefully didn't seem 'too pushy' to give them these items.

I have also hidden a scapular in the room of a dying Protestant. Since the matter was urgent, it seemed best to go ahead and hide it in the room. As I recall, it was in a decorative artificial plant high up on a shelf (and unlikely to be moved any time soon).

What might be best for you to do really depends on many factors (e.g. how urgent the situation is, their level of animosity towards the faith, etc.). Depending on circumstances, the scapular might be dropped behind a piece of 'immovable furniture' or inserted in a book in a family library. However, it wouldn't seem very good to create bad feelings among your family should the item be discovered. Again, I personally prefer to try to get the person to accept the green scapular on their own. A Catholic who knows the item is blessed hopefully wouldn't throw it out – especially if you made a point to tell them you took the item specially to a priest for them to have it blessed. Then again, some persons might unfortunately still throw it out (it's definitely not good to throw away blessed items).

One idea you might consider if you are intent on hiding the green scapular is to create an artificial flower arrangement (or some other craft) that matches their preferred style/colors (that you are sure they will like/keep) and insert the scapular into the object where it cannot be seen – you might glue the arrangement so it cannot be easily taken apart. Of course, the scapular may be found if the arrangement should ever break or be torn apart.

Regardless, you might want to spend some time in prayer (and in thought) about good ways to give (or leave) the green scapular. If it is intended for one person in a household, perhaps you could consult another family member(s) for ideas? What would you consider inappropriate/inappropriate in your own living quarters? Does the other party have any particular sensitivities or concerns? What would happen if a person moves or remodels and finds the scapular? Is the item likely or unlikely to be found? How urgent is the need? Would they be willing/able to store something of yours in their home (e.g. a book of yours that contains the scapular)? Would they be willing to accept the green scapular in the back of a drawer or closet or?

In any event, please remember that (1) the green scapulars should be blessed, and (2) for *each* green scapular you give away you should say the associated prayer on that person's behalf *each* day (that means if you give away 3 green scapulars, you should say 3 prayers *each* day). The prayer to say is...

"Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death"

If you would like more information on the green scapular, please try here.

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