Case LXXVII: The Scapular Medal

Case.—Last summer, while railroading through England, Father Titus journeyed with some Irish soldiers who were bound for the front. Their splendid devotion to Mary Immaculate showed itself in the scapular which they were proudly wearing. Some, who had no scapulars, asked the priest for a pair, but as he had none with him, he determined to give them medals from Lourdes which had been blessed at the shrine, and which he again blessed before giving to them. He knew that the Holy See had allowed the use of medals in place of the scapular, so his mind was at ease. Since then Father Titus has heard that only special medals can be used for the gaining of the scapular indulgence.

Question.—Did Father Titus do right?

Solution.—Father Titus’ action was sacerdotal and praiseworthy. The simple faith and prayerfulness of the soldiers going to the front must have been pleasing to Almighty God, and it surely won for them at least the spiritual protection of the Mother of Christ, whom they intended to honor by scapular or medal. Yet it does not follow that they gained the scapular indulgence. The fact that the medal was from Lourdes and had been blessed there does not attach to it the indulgence granted by Pius X. in 1910. The conditions imposed by the Pope for the gaining of the indulgence have to be met. In general these conditions are: (1) Enrollment in the scapular by a priest having the proper faculties. (2) Wearing of the scapular, or of its substitute, the medal. (3) Blessing of the medal as prescribed. (4) The medal to be of the type determined by the Holy See and commonly known as the scapular medal. If all these conditions were fulfilled, then the soldiers could gain the indulgence given for the wearing of the scapular. That they were not, is rendered certain by the fact that the medal given by the priest was a Lourdes medal and not a scapular medal. Again, the question arises as to the faculties of the priest. Did he have the necessary faculties for blessing scapular medals? In March, 1912, concessions were made in favor of soldiers (sub armis), but even here the medal of investment had to be blessed by a priest having such faculties. In November, 1914, Benedict XV. granted faculties to all priests, even to those who are not approved for the hearing of Confessions, whereby they may bless and indulgence the scapular medal. This concession is granted only in favor of soldiers, and of those soldiers whose countries are at war, and is to last only for the duration of the war. It is to be noted again that only the regular scapular medal can be blessed under this extension of faculties. Any priest, from, or in, any country, can bless these medals, provided they are intended for soldiers under arms of the nations at war. Hence this indulgence of the scapular, even in these days, is not effective in relation to the Lourdes medal.