In actual fact these are called "scapulars". They have always been a feature of religious life in Ireland. The scapular was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1870.

https://www.stmartin.ie/product/brown-scapular-with-leaflet/

"St Simon Stock received the Brown Scapular from the Mother of God, July 16th, 1251.
She said to him ‘’One day through the Rosary and the Brown Scapular I will save the world’’
The Brown Scapular carries a great promise of eternal salvation for those who devoutly wear it.
The Rosary also carries Our Lady’s fifteen great promises."

Then there is the green scapular.

"What is the Green Scapular used for?

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."

"Unlike typical sacramentals, scapulars are not merely blessed, but need to be invested by a priest to enroll the faithful. Any Catholic priest may invest a baptised Catholic with the Brown Scapular. Lay people are unable to bless a Scapular."

It is with great sadness that I heard of the death of Fr David.He was a tutor in Broomehall when I was a postulant.He had the ownerous task of teaching us French, even though Fr Duffy couldn't understand my English. God rest them both.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to those I studied with - staff and students - at Blacklion 1961 - 1963, Broome Hall 1963 - 1964 and Eastview 1964 - 1965. I don't see many from my years online...but would love to. After leaving England in 1970 with my wife Nora and spending 4 years in Montego Bay, Jamaica we moved to Ontario, Canada, where we still live with our kids and grandkids.

I recently sent this letter to Mary Boys at Columbia University.
Congratulations on 28 years at Union.It hardly seems like yesterday I was taking classes with you, Tom and Padraic at Boston College.
I wrote recently that four “experiences” between 1960 and 1971 had a profound impact on my life:
1960 - 1961 Year 1 at St. Mary’s (Simmaries)Strawberry Hill.
1961 - 1965 Studying Philosophy and Theology with the White Fathers in Ireland, England and Canada,
1965 - 1967 Years 2 and 3 at Simmaries
1970 - 1971 Boston College Institute for Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education.
I was contacted sometime back by Michael Goodstadt, whom I have never met( I now see him weekly on a Zoom meeting with ex-wfers) but who had been at St. Columba’s 1951 – 1954 and The Priory 1954, both minor seminaries, when such things existed-, and Blacklion 1957, four years before I started Philosophy.This was something I wrote to him….
He wrote, “it would be interesting, and maybe instructive, to explore intense activities to which our ex-WFers have been committed for the long term.” I am 80 and there have been numerous such activities over the years. You mentioned sports. That has certainly been one of my passions, particularly “ball sports.”....and on and on