Praying the Rosary in public?

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Would it be wrong or in poor taste to pray the Rosary silently in public? Sometimes I have long waits, such as doctors’ offices, and wish I could, since I usually have a Rosary with me.
 
Instead of pulling out a string of beads rosary, you could use finger ring rosary or keep track on your fingers, if you don’t want to draw attention.

Another thing you can do is carry a small rosary prayer book and simply read the prayers silently. 🙂
 
I used to pray the rosary regularly on the train, beads and all…it was cause for some great and respectful conversation with believers and non believers, Catholics and non-Catholics alike…and I made some great friends along the way!
 
I think it’s fine!

The only place I feel uncomfortable about it is on a plane. I only bring out my rosary when it’s a night flight and the cabin lights are off. 🙂
 
There is nothing wrong with it, its just a matter of how comfortable you are pulling out Rosary beads in public. Can always just use your fingers if not so comfortable.
 
I usually pray my daily Rosary on the bus. I live currently in a largely non-Catholic area in the deep south and previously lived in the Appalachian foothills (also largely non-Catholic) and no one has ever bothered me about it before. I also find that praying the Rosary in public often gives you things to pray for by offering a decade for whomever you see that looks like they need prayers (the homeless, the sick. etc.).
 
Nothing wrong with it at all. I always wear my Rosary bracelet which I use for such situations.
 
Perfectly fine. I use a single decade auto rosary, subvocalize, don’t try to attract attention. Never had a problem.
 
I also pray on the train. Haven’t had anyone say anything yet but I have had many double-takes. ( I have good peripheral vision 🙂
 
DeniseNY said:
I think it’s fine!

The only place I feel uncomfortable about it is on a plane. I only bring out my rosary when it’s a night flight and the cabin lights are off. 🙂
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I used to fly a lot and frequently prayed the Rosary with my “full sized” Rosary. I would pray in the waiting terminal and on board the flight. Some people may have felt uncomfortable but I don’t believe we are asked by Christ to make people comfortable. We are asked to spread the Gospel. If I can spur one person to return to church/prayer or give comfort to one person who’s distressed privately, I’m a happy Catholic! 👍

Pray often and pray hard!
 
By all means, pray the rosary in public.

We are living in a very secular society these days, where there are very few, if any, signs of faith visible in public. Back in the day, we had priests walking the streets in their collar and nuns in habit, The 10 Commandments were posted in public buildings and schools and church bells rang.

Those things and other signs of faith are mostly missing, so seeing somebody praying the rosary in public would give people pause to think of God and their own spiritual and prayer life, if only for a minute…
 
cgoodson2002 said:
Would it be wrong or in poor taste to pray the Rosary silently in public? Sometimes I have long waits, such as doctors’ offices, and wish I could, since I usually have a Rosary with me.
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Why wouldn’t you? I often say the rosary when I am walking or waiting or traveling. I don’t do it in an ostentatious way, waving the beads about. But I have the rosary discreetly in my hand. I do try to avoid much lip movement if, for example, I am sitting in an office waiting; I would not want people sitting close by to think I was talking to myself or otherwise a victim of madness. I don’t pro-occupy myself with whether or not my lips are moving if I am out for a walk, however.

I see so many people occupied with their contraptions – for music, internet and so forth. They don’t seem to be concerned about my reaction to their devices. I see no reason not to occupy myself with my beads if everyone in the waiting room or rail carriage is occupying themselves with whatever they are about…other than to give my immediate and courteous attention to the ticket taking rail conductor or the waiting room attendant when she hails me.
 
I’ve prayed my rosary while walking and nobody has even noticed since the rosary itself is held within my closed hand. I’ve even been stopped and asked directions before and then continued on my way. I have prayed the rosary in bus stations and at the airport.
When traveling, I’ve pulled out my Liturgy of the Hours and people have asked me if it was a Bible.
By all means pray the rosary in public. If it is noticed, it could become a means of evangelization as people ask questions about your Catholic faith.
 
DebChris said:
I’ve prayed my rosary while walking and nobody has even noticed since the rosary itself is held within my closed hand. I’ve even been stopped and asked directions before and then continued on my way. I have prayed the rosary in bus stations and at the airport.
When traveling, I’ve pulled out my Liturgy of the Hours and people have asked me if it was a Bible.
By all means pray the rosary in public. If it is noticed, it could become a means of evangelization as people ask questions about your Catholic faith.
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i hear some people talk about the rosary and that it shouldn’t be worn around the neck and shouldn’t be spoken in public because it is considered a private devotion, but like ive been reading here, it seems like a good idea, and that more christians should be praying it in public to ignite something in other people, i agree with you a 100 percent DebChris
 
cgoodson2002 said:
Would it be wrong or in poor taste to pray the Rosary silently in public? Sometimes I have long waits, such as doctors’ offices, and wish I could, since I usually have a Rosary with me.
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No.

I find we put too much emphasis on what others may think of us. If anyone notices, they might think “Oh he’s religious” and move on. People are basically self-involved.
 
colden26 said:
i hear some people talk about the rosary and that it shouldn’t be worn around the neck and shouldn’t be spoken in public because it is considered a private devotion, but like ive been reading here, it seems like a good idea, and that more christians should be praying it in public to ignite something in other people, i agree with you a 100 percent DebChris
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I know a lot of people who wear one around their neck, in and outside of clothing. It’s a constant reminder to pray 🙂 it’s also a safe place because in a pocket or purse it may become tangled 😉
 
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