The Brown Scapular of the Carmelites is the most widely known scapular and was given to St. Simon Stock by Our Lady while he was at Aylesford, England in 1251. The Blessed Virgin promised to grant special aid at the hour of death to those wearing this scapular.
The Black Scapular comes from the Servite Order which began in 1255 and was authorized by Pope Alexander IV. This scapular honors the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
The Blue Scapular is based on a vision of Venerable Ursula Benicasa (in 1617), who founded the Order of Theatine Nuns. She saw Jesus and begged Him to grant favors to all who wore the Blue Scapular in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Clement X approved the blessing and investing of this scapular in 1671 and Clement XI granted certain indulgences for the wearing of it.
The Red Scapular of the Passion is based on a vision by a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1846. In that vision, Jesus promised an increase in faith, hope and charity to all who wear this scapular on Fridays. In the following year, this vision was reported to Pope Pius IX and he then granted the Lazarists Order the faculty of blessing the scapular and investing the faithful with it.
The Green Scapular was given to the world by the Blessed Virgin Mary through a series of apparitions to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu, a Daughter of Charity, in the early 1840’s in Paris, France. On the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Sept. 8th, 1840, the Mother of Jesus Christ appeared holding in her right hand her Immaculate Heart, mounted by flames and holding in her other hand a scapular.
Since it is not the emblem of a confraternity but simply a double image attached to a single piece of cloth, no investiture is necessary. The only requirement is that the Green Scapular be blessed by a priest and worn or carried by the person wishing to benefit by it.
The Green Scapular is frequently given out at hospitals in the hope of obtaining physical healings. The Scapular may also be worn about the neck, placed under the pillow, kept in a wallet, or placed in one's clothing. The prayer, "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death", should with confidence be said for or by the person.
When invoked under this title and through this holy image, the Virgin Mary is said to obtain great favours from her Son, especially in the areas of physical health, peace of mind and spiritual conversion. She would particularly obtain the conversion of those who had fallen away from the faith, and non-believers.
The Five-fold Scapular : Five of the earlier Scapulars to be approved are often grouped together on one shared string and, as such, is referred to as the Five-fold Scapular.“The five are: the Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity, that of the Carmelites, of the Servites, of the Immaculate Conception, and the Red Scapular of the Passion. When the scapulars are joined together, the bands must be of red wool, as required by the Red Scapular; it is customary to wear the Red Scapular uppermost and that of the Most Blessed Trinity undermost, so that the images specially prescribed in the case of the Red, and the small red and blue cross on the Scapular of the Blessed Trinity, may be visible.” (“New Advent,” Catholic Encyclopedia)