True, but who knows? Perhaps a fall-away Catholic will see it and be inspired by it. Converting a soul is my dream. I envy anyone who has. Perhaps he will offend people? Who cares? If Protestants can’t appreciate the fact that a man is so passionate about his faith that he’ll pray on the bus then that’s their problem. I say more power to him.
Well, maybe to a Catholic it would serve as a witness to the power of the rosary or a reminder to pray it.
Definitely not a fad. St. Louis de Montfort in *The Secret of the Rosary *tells a story about a nobleman who wore the rosary on his belt, but hardly ever prayed it. Well, just the fact that such a powerful man believed (or at least appeard to believe) in the power of the rosary gave a strong witness to the people who saw him. So, because of his example, many others prayed the rosary. Well, one night he died and was taken before God in judgment. God was about to condemn him for his sins but Blessed Mother appeared with the rosary he wore, and all the rosaries that were said because of his witness, and they outweighed his sins. So God, in his great mercy, gave that man a second chance and allowed him to live for two more years and get his life in order. So, I personally don’t think anything negative of those who choose to wear a rosary.
There is no need for you to feel self conscious. If you allow yourself to feel this way, you give the secular world its power over those of us who choose to follow Jesus. I know the feeling you get. I think we all do at times. I outwardly stand up for my faith, and profess it when I can, to show others the importance of God in my life. Sometimes you would not believe the names I am called and admonishment I get. But, more often than not, it is glances of approval and understanding. If I can make only 1 person a day think of God and all He offers, it is well worth it.
Yeah, I know. I feel a bit lousy by hiding my faith but nowadays it’s almost like people feel the urge to make fun of you when they know you’re Catholic. I lived in Bolivia from 2000-2001 and 2003-2008. It was refreshing that everybody said that they believe in God. Teenagers would walk around with a Rosary around their neck, every shop would have a Divine Mercy poster on the wall and most people cross themselves when they pass a church.
We both have encountered the same mockery, and sadly I was unprepared to defend our Faith. Over the last two years I have taken it upon myself to really begin to learn our Catholic Faith. I am no apologist, but I now can hold my own when confronted by those who wish to bash the Church. If all adult Catholics would take time to learn our Faith and outwardly present it, we would be in a much better position. There is power and truth in knowledge.Yeah, I know. I feel a bit lousy by hiding my faith but nowadays it’s almost like people feel the urge to make fun of you when they know you’re Catholic. I lived in Bolivia from 2000-2001 and 2003-2008. It was refreshing that everybody said that they believe in God. Teenagers would walk around with a Rosary around their neck, every shop would have a Divine Mercy poster on the wall and most people cross themselves when they pass a church.
When I came to Germany in 2008 I had the Divine Mercy picture on my desk for a moment. A work colleague saw that and without us ever having talked about religion, he keeps on bringing up the topic on how absurd religion is, just based on seeing that picture once or he sends me links by Windows Messenger from anti-religious sites.
The other day I met with friends in an Irish pub. I was talking to one of my Irish friends about philosophy and religion in general. The two sitting across of us suddenly heard bits and pieces of the conversation. As soon as Catholic faith was mentioned they started cracking jokes and rolled their eyes. I sometimes wear this kind of bracelet with Saints: kaboodle.com/reviews/saint-bracelet–small-black
I notice people looking at it in a weird way. If you even mention religion on other forums or in public, it will always end with a heated discussion. Someone once asked if you can get bike jerseys with religious motives on a bike forum and ALL answers were vicious. I asked why it is a problem for them that someone asks this and then I was being hassled.
Oddly in Germany you see loads of Muslims walking around who don’t hide their faith but as a Catholic you will automatically be mocked.
I think I don’t hide the fact that I’m Catholic because I’m ashamed but I just want to avoid confrontation. I’m pretty sure if I would pray the rosary openly on a bus, people would mock me or at least stare. These days it is “uncool” to be Catholic. If you ask the average person in Germany if they have faith, they usually come up with some new age jumbo mumbo “yeah, I kind of believe in something about Universal energy or prefer Buddhism”. They want to be “en vogue” when it comes to faith.
What a nice way of putting this, Jim. Right now I am having a bit of a time at home, as my husband feels that all religion/spirituality is mumbo-jumbo. Therefore my prayers and any devotions, including Grace before meals, is said as privately as possible. I just don’t want to be put down or made fun of; maybe as I grow stronger in my faith I will get more courageous. But I doubt I can or ever will approach my husband about belief in God, salvation, and the hereafter. It is disturbing to me that we will most likely not be together after we die, but I cannot impose on him that which he doesn’t want.
Not really because being awkward/self-conscious about praying the rosary in public has a bit to do with being awkward/self-conscious about showing your faith in general, at least in my case.
)I live in Cologne which has a huge Catholic Cathedral: The Kölner Dome: dbu.de/media/0207090213091b47.jpg which of course you will know.
TemplarJPN :knight2:In Latin, I LOVE IT !!! Actually, I love to say the Rosary while walking my dogs. And a couple of times passed an elderly gent ( in our community ) fingering his beads and saying his rosary as well. We’re not always alone.Say it in Latin. It will confuse the dogs.
The four general grants of indulgence are partial with worth depending on the perfection of charity with which the person performs it, matched in equal amount by the Church:I usually pray my rosary when I go for walks in my neighborhood. Most people are used to seeing me so they dont pay much attention anymore. I also pray it at work when I’m on midnight shift. West Virginia doesn’t have many Catholics but people tend to be very kind to us. Sometimes you get the random elderly person who wants to preach to you.
Pax Christi