Time for a new Scapular

After 2.5 years, that's what my old Scapular, on the left, looks like.

I have no idea if 2.5 years is a good run for a Scapular, average or really short. I did wear it every day, only removing it to shower. I accidentally washed it with my laundry a couple of times. I lost it once and found it four days later in the laundry.

I gave birth to two children with it around my neck. (In fact, in some of the pictures of me holding our children after the delivery, you can clearly see it over my johnny. Which led several friends to ask, "What was around your neck?") It's survived a lot of tugging and grabbing by two infants, but I think time - and my son - twisted it into a very fragile state.

The once-wide cords that laid over my shoulders slowly became thinner and thinner. Deep brown stitches that ringed the edges popped one by one. Eyeing it daily, I knew it was only a matter of time before it went completely. Then it happened the other night - I was changing my shirt, and I caught it when I was pulling my arms overhead. Snap. It was gone.

Now here's where - if I was smart - I would write, "So I retired the old one and grabbed the new one I had purchased." But, um, while meaning to buy a new scapular, I hadn't actually done it yet.

I headed to the Order who sold me this Scapular I loved so much - The Sisters of Carmel in Colorado Springs. I ordered a replacement and anxiously awaited its arrival.

Since I couldn't wear the broken one, I kept it in my pocket until the new one arrived. It felt odd not to have the cloth around my neck and under my shirt, and knowing I had it in my pocket made me feel a bit better.

The Sisters sent my new Scapular quickly - I received it in four days. It's back around my neck and I feel better. I know the Scapular isn't a magic talisman, nor does it hold any special power. The power of the Scapular - or Rosary or any other sacramental - is in the person. Wearing the Scapular reminds me to be like, as much as I can, our Blessed Mother. And that, hopefully, grants me the grace to be a better person. Same with the Rosary - pray it and you reflect on the life of Jesus, through his first and most amazing disciple, his mother. Internalize those stories and, hopefully, live a life more in tune with His.

So, that all written, I should have no problem properly disposing of my old Scapular, right? Well, I should have no problem, but I have grown sentimental toward it. I can't bring myself to properly retire it...at least right now. So it'll sit in my jewelry box until one day, probably a day when my daughter is old enough to start poking around my jewelry box and asks, "Mom, what's this?" pulling out a tattered, faded piece of cloth and string that's seen better days.

And, if you're interested, the story of how I came to the Brown Scapular is here.