Confraternities and archconfraternities
Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception (Marian Fathers, Blue Scapular)
Marian Fathers Confraternity · Blue Scapular Confraternity · Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
Private association of the faithful attached to the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, administered from the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Scapulars · Sacramentals · At a shrineBelongs to Private association of the faithful attached to the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, administered from the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.The blue scapular, worn day and night.
The long way round
In person, with a priest. Free. A donation link to support the Confraternity is offered and is optional.
How to be enrolledThe real first step is asking a priest or deacon to be delegated by the Marians to admit and invest you, because the application form is only to be used once you have found him.
Members have a portal to sign in to.
This is the live, reachable way for a lay person in the English-speaking world to be enrolled in the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception, which is otherwise one of the hardest sacramentals to receive properly. It is a serious commitment and the Marians say so on the page: you wear the blue scapular day and night, pray a set chaplet every day for the dead, offer your sufferings for the souls in purgatory, and work at spreading devotion to the Immaculate Conception. It should not be confused with the Association of Marian Helpers, which is run by the same community but asks almost nothing of members; this one has a rule of life and requires a priest. If you only want the scapular itself without the confraternity obligations, the Marians offer that as a separate option.
Where it comes from
Current form run by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, who obtained perpetual permission from the Superior General of the Theatine Fathers on 3 June 1992 to bless and confer the Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception.
What you promise
The Marians' own list for those who wear the Blue Scapular: strive for Christian perfection according to your state of life and the spirituality of the Congregation; spread devotion to the Immaculate Conception and assist the deceased suffering in Purgatory; always, day and night, devoutly wear the Blue Scapular; imitate Mary's virtues and above all live in the state of grace; dedicate a set amount of time to prayer, participate frequently in Mass and meditate on the Rosary; recite and offer daily for the dead the Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, together with the Salve Regina; offer your deeds of mercy, sufferings, trials, self-denial and mortification for the Poor Souls; frequently invoke Mary's protection with short fervent prayers; and participate in your parish community and spread the scapular devotion. Members must be Catholics aged 18 or older in full communion with the Church.
What the Church attaches
A plenary indulgence on the day of admission into the Confraternity and conferral of the scapular, and on other listed feasts and solemnities. A share in the fruits of the daily Masses celebrated by the Marian priests and of Masses for the intentions of the Congregation's living and deceased associates. The right to enroll deceased loved ones in the Memorial of Holy Masses celebrated by the Congregation throughout November and in the Solemn Vespers sung during the Octave of All Souls' Day. A share in the fruits of the daily prayers of the members of the Congregation, and in the merits, good deeds and indulgences obtained by them.
Something physical is involved
The Blue Scapular, which must be imposed by a Marian priest or by a priest or deacon delegated by the Marians, and never by yourself. A scapular-only option is offered for those who do not want to join the Confraternity.
The Fivefold Scapular
Five scapulars sewn into one set and worn together. Each of the five is still its own enrollment, and the records below show that each needs its own faculty or delegation, so one ceremony covers the set only when the priest holds all of them. That is worth asking about plainly when you write: many priests hold one or two.
- Brown of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Brown Scapular)Who can impose it: A Carmelite priest, or one with the Carmelite faculty.
- Black of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Confraternity of Our Lady of Sorrows (Servite Black Scapular)Who can impose it: A priest holding the Servite faculty, which parish priests do not have automatically.
- Blue of the Immaculate Conception. you are reading this oneWho can impose it: A priest or deacon delegated by the Marian Fathers.
- White of the Most Holy Trinity. Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity (Trinitarian)Who can impose it: A Trinitarian priest, or one using the rite in the Roman Ritual.
- Red of the Passion. The Lesser Scapular Confraternities (no confraternity of its own in this directory: it is reached through that composite record)Who can impose it: A priest with the Vincentian faculty, also called Lazarist.
Enrollment checked 2026-10-22. Details change without notice and parish practice varies. Confirm before relying on this sheet.