Praying Rosary in public

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Bev17243

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I discovered that i have perfect amount of time to pray the rosary while i take the bus to work as it takes me at least 30-40 min. However, i feel akward using Rosary in public. I have actually seen couple of old ladies doing it but its a little weird for me. Has anyone done that before or is it just not a good idea in general?
 
If you’re self-conscious about it then you can use your fingers to keep count, or use a rosary ring, which is much more concealable than a five decade rosary.
 
I have prayed the Rosary across the street on a side walk from an abortion clinic before as well as at other pro-life events publicly. I don’t see anything wrong with praying the Holy Rosary on a bus, I think it would be a good witness and as long as you’re praying quietly you shouldn’t disturb anyone. You can sit quietly in your seat holding your beads, it doesn’t have to be super showy.

If someone asks you what you are doing, just tell them, “I am a Catholic and like to begin my day with prayer, the Rosary is one of the prayers of the Church that I feel devoted to.”

If you have a copy of this with you, maybe give the person a copy:
newadvent.org/images/rosary.pdf
🙂

Dominus vobiscum!
 
Another option similar to the rosary ring is a rosary card. This features a decade of a rosary with raised bumps to represent beads, which can then be used to pray the Rosary. You can even keep it in your pocket/wallet, as it’s usually the same size as a credit card.
 
I’ve prayed mine in public, but I agree w/ others, use the rosary ring or your fingers (my dear Mom always told us that’s why we have 10 digits - to say the rosary when we forgot ours). 😉
 
Be proud of your faith. I’m a 6’3" 320 lb guy that has worked in a factory for the last 20+ years and I pray mine every day at lunchtime. I have shown many a person how to pray the Rosary and have given out quite a few. Never do I say it alone at lunchtime anymore.
 
I keep the rosary in my hand, the beads not in use not hanging down but concealed in my palm.
I do not deliberately try to conceal what I am doing, someone who was interested in people around me could still see what I am doing and inquire if so disposed.

But people approach me more if I am reading the bible, many people do not know what a rosary is, at least where I live, and would rather take it for islamic prayer beads!
 
Cran said:
I keep the rosary in my hand, the beads not in use not hanging down but concealed in my palm.
I do not deliberately try to conceal what I am doing, someone who was interested in people around me could still see what I am doing and inquire if so disposed.

But people approach me more if I am reading the bible, many people do not know what a rosary is, at least where I live, and would rather take it for islamic prayer beads!
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Perfect time for an educational moment:D
 
My hubby prays the rosary and Divine Mercy on the bus with a finger ring.

I remember being on the bus before my conversion and seeing an older lady making the sign of the cross, very slowly. It made an favorable impression on me. Talking to God! On the bus!! Radical. I admired her strength and courage to make the sign of the cross publically.

How much better is that than the fowl language we hear in public? A different kind of ‘witness’. You never know, when someone is immersed in darkness what a shining light you can be, quietly sitting there. God may cause a person who is in a desperate situation, without hope, to see you and decide to ‘try praying’. Some people never are exposed to prayer but only darkness and it would never occur to them to look up.

Blessings to you.
 
I agree that it would be great if you would go ahead and use your rosary, but if you can’t, it’s still great to pray the rosary. In addition to the suggestions by others for using your fingers or a rosary ring, there are also rosary bracelets you can use.
 
All great suggestions, thank you all. I have used my fingers to count prayers but thought i was the only one who thought of that, lol!
 
Bev17243 said:
I discovered that i have perfect amount of time to pray the rosary while i take the bus to work as it takes me at least 30-40 min. However, i feel akward using Rosary in public. I have actually seen couple of old ladies doing it but its a little weird for me. Has anyone done that before or is it just not a good idea in general?
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it is entirely your own comfort level. a ring rosary might be less obtrusive on a crowded bus, but frankly, most people won’t be paying much attention anyhow people on buses are pretty much into their own thoughts
 
FromTheAshes777 said:
our Catholic faith and love of Jesus
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Before I became interested in the Catholic church, I saw a group of 5-6 people praying the rosary in the train station. I saw it as Catholic repetitive prayer. It did not serve as a witness to me of Christ at all.
 
Bev17243 said:
I discovered that i have perfect amount of time to pray the rosary while i take the bus to work as it takes me at least 30-40 min. However, i feel akward using Rosary in public. I have actually seen couple of old ladies doing it but its a little weird for me. Has anyone done that before or is it just not a good idea in general?
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When my wife is shopping I often pray the Rosary in hotel lobbies while waiting for her. One time a waitress approached me and said she had not prayed the Rosary for a long time but would look for hers and start again. Whether she started praying again I don’t know but praying anywhere is good for self and occasionally might have a positive effect on others.
 
I’ll just echo what everyone else says and go with whatever is most comfortable to you.

When I take the 20 minute walk from my college to the Parish Church I usually pray the Rosary with beads. I’ve actually never been asked about it before. So, I suppose it depends on where you are.
 
Nowhere_Man said:
If you’re self-conscious about it then you can use your fingers to keep count, or use a rosary ring, which is much more concealable than a five decade rosary.
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You may want to purchase a ten bead Rosary with a cross.
It has the required spaces. No one would notice, and even if they did, your being a witness. 🙂

God bless,
bluelake
 
Bev17243 said:
I discovered that i have perfect amount of time to pray the rosary while i take the bus to work as it takes me at least 30-40 min. However, i feel akward using Rosary in public. I have actually seen couple of old ladies doing it but its a little weird for me. Has anyone done that before or is it just not a good idea in general?
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too many minds. you’re worried too much about how someone will see you. is that it?
doing things as a group may be easier. if there is a friend of yours that prays as well. ask them for help so you may get used to doing things in public. Remember - however - we are asked to pray in isolation. it is not there to be a show. 👍
 
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