The scapular is a small piece of cloth worn over the shoulders as a devotional item; its origins can be traced back to the 13th century, when it was worn by monks as part of their religious habit. According to the legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a Carmelite friar, and gave him the Brown Scapular as a sign of her protection and a sign of salvation to the person who dies wearing it. Today, scapulars are often made of cloth or metal and can be worn around the neck or over the shoulders. It is a powerful symbol of devotion, humility, and protection for Catholics.