"My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” 

These words were spoken by the Mother of Jesus at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. 
How can her Immaculate Heart be our refuge and the way that will lead us to God? One way is through devotion to her green scapular
 
 

The green scapular was given by Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in a series of visions to Sr. Justine in 1840 at the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France. Mary told Sr. Justine to have this badge of her Immaculate Heart made and distributed widely; and through this scapular Jesus would grant conversions and many other gifts depending on the faith of the giver. That means, the extent to which the giver actually believes that Jesus can and will save souls through this insignificant looking image of His mother on a small piece of cloth. Notice, she used the words: faith of the giver --not the receiver. 

This scapular consists of 4 components: 
      1) a piece of green cloth 1" by 2" 
      2) a picture of Mary showing the way she appeared to Sister Justine 
      3) a picture depicting her Immaculate Heart surrounded by the words, "Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us now and at the hour of our death.” 
      4) a piece of green cord 
All of these components must be present. 

No investiture is required since this scapular does not have to be worn. It is sufficient to put it in the vicinity of the recipient since nothing is required of the recipient. The prayer on the scapular should be recited daily either by the giver OR the receiver. 
 

Mary told Sr. Justine that the green scapular would be the instrument of salvation for many people. 
 

The green scapular is a sacramental. Sacramentals are the Blessings and Exorcisms used by the Church; and all those things that She blesses or consecrates to religious use. 
The purpose of the Sacramentals is: 
                To increase our devotion 
                To protect us against the powers of darkness.