S
sophie_rz
Guest
Hello, I’m a new Catholic converter. I have a question. Can we wear the rosary beads like jewelres? Thank you for your help!
- Status
O
OneAugustKnight
Guest
Yes, you can wear rosary beads around your neck, but they aren’t supposed to be a fashion statement, they are for praying. Mostly people wear crucifixes and medals and scapulars around their necks, and carry rosaries in their pockets or purses. I have seen a number of devout Catholics wearing rosaries around their necks and it is not wrong, although a few people frown on it.
T
tobbias88
Guest
You can but that seems to be a New Age thing. (Many are satanic with a serpent rather than Christ).
The Rosary beads are an aid to prayer; not meant as jewelry. The ‘jewels’ are the prayers you offer to Our Lady, Jesus & God the Father.
It’s a bit like saying can I wear my laptop round my neck? Sure but it really wasn’t meant to be used in that way. If you wish to show your faith publically there is a host of different relgious medals, all kinds of crucifixes and crosses. Have a look you are bound to find something beautiful & devotional.
The Rosary beads are an aid to prayer; not meant as jewelry. The ‘jewels’ are the prayers you offer to Our Lady, Jesus & God the Father.
It’s a bit like saying can I wear my laptop round my neck? Sure but it really wasn’t meant to be used in that way. If you wish to show your faith publically there is a host of different relgious medals, all kinds of crucifixes and crosses. Have a look you are bound to find something beautiful & devotional.
D
DVina
Guest
This used to really bother me!
But when I found out that, historically, that’s how the rosary got to be formed in a circle, I came to be OK with it. If you don’t have a pocket, it’s a safe way to keep it.
As long as you wear it with devotion, I don’t see a problem. Just be aware that in some areas, different rosaries are also used as gang identification! I am pretty sure that is different colored plastic ones, though.
As a rosary maker, I am happy when someone devoted to our Blessed Mother and her rosary wants to have it close t his or her heart. I have put a clasp on many a rosary so it could be easily worn. There are also lots of rosary bracelets out there; I make one that is 5 decades, and I wear it to daily mass, because I keep my regular rosary in my Sunday purse.
But when I found out that, historically, that’s how the rosary got to be formed in a circle, I came to be OK with it. If you don’t have a pocket, it’s a safe way to keep it.
As long as you wear it with devotion, I don’t see a problem. Just be aware that in some areas, different rosaries are also used as gang identification! I am pretty sure that is different colored plastic ones, though.
As a rosary maker, I am happy when someone devoted to our Blessed Mother and her rosary wants to have it close t his or her heart. I have put a clasp on many a rosary so it could be easily worn. There are also lots of rosary bracelets out there; I make one that is 5 decades, and I wear it to daily mass, because I keep my regular rosary in my Sunday purse.
M
mullenpm
Guest
Sophie, I am sorry but I must disagree with the previous posters.
Why would you want to wear your Rosary beads around your neck? It will not be a sign of your faith. Do not attribute any superstition to the beads. Their power is in the prayers sent to our Blessed Mother asking for her intercession with our Dear Lord.
They are only to be used as prayer beads, not as decoration. Carry them in your pocket or purse so you have them ready for prayer, but, please do not wear them around your neck. I have never seen a “devout” Catholic wear their rosary around their neck as a previous poster suggested.
Some cultures do this but that is primarily as a superstition.
:hug1: Welcome home!!!
Why would you want to wear your Rosary beads around your neck? It will not be a sign of your faith. Do not attribute any superstition to the beads. Their power is in the prayers sent to our Blessed Mother asking for her intercession with our Dear Lord.
They are only to be used as prayer beads, not as decoration. Carry them in your pocket or purse so you have them ready for prayer, but, please do not wear them around your neck. I have never seen a “devout” Catholic wear their rosary around their neck as a previous poster suggested.
Some cultures do this but that is primarily as a superstition.
:hug1: Welcome home!!!
N
NewsTheMan
Guest
Praise the Lord! This has been on my mind too.
It bothers me a lot. Unless you are Catholic and actually pray the rosary. Where I live, some of the most sinful and anti-christian people I know wear rosaries. I don’t even know where they get hold of them
It offends me because the Rosary is something that should be respected. Not only amongst Catholics, but non-Catholics too.
It bothers me a lot. Unless you are Catholic and actually pray the rosary. Where I live, some of the most sinful and anti-christian people I know wear rosaries. I don’t even know where they get hold of them
It offends me because the Rosary is something that should be respected. Not only amongst Catholics, but non-Catholics too.
E
Erin_Anne
Guest
I was always told, by the Priests in my Family and in School to never “wear” the Rosary. I did it once when I was young and was read the riot act. I was strictly informed that it was disrespectful to Our Lady. I figured that if I wanted to bring it with me, but didn’t have any pockets then it wasn’t a problem, but I was corrected with the phrase “That’s why God gave us 10 fingers”.
I reference only my personal experience at this time because I don’t know off hand if there is anything in Canon Law about it, but I think I may go look back on it now.
E.A.
I reference only my personal experience at this time because I don’t know off hand if there is anything in Canon Law about it, but I think I may go look back on it now.
E.A.
M
mullenpm
Guest
NewTheMan, you are so right.
Gang members wear them around their neck as they do large crosses and/or a crucifix. :knight2: Superstition!!!
I have seen people hang a rosary around the rear view mirror of their car. Do what purpose? They are primarily non-Catholics. More superstition. I can not imagine a Catholic hanging their rosary on the rear view mirror of their car.
Gang members wear them around their neck as they do large crosses and/or a crucifix. :knight2: Superstition!!!
I have seen people hang a rosary around the rear view mirror of their car. Do what purpose? They are primarily non-Catholics. More superstition. I can not imagine a Catholic hanging their rosary on the rear view mirror of their car.
C
CatofAlexandria
Guest
The only way that I would wear a rosary is as a bracelet. One of my friends got me a beautiful rosary bracelet as a gift when I converted. Each decade is one time around the bracelet. I like it because I look at my hands a lot, and when I look down, it reminds me of the mysteries of Christ. I also have it with me, then, to pray whenever I want, even if I’m not carrying a purse (and a lot of my clothes don’t have pockets). Finally, it doesn’t look like a normal rosary, it’s a bit more subtle, so you’re not really making a fashion statement. I can pray it on the bus, for example, without even taking it off.
At least, that’s just my two cents.
At least, that’s just my two cents.
O
OneAugustKnight
Guest
Link: catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0410qq.asp
Q: Can a rosary be worn as a piece of jewelry?
A: “Sacred objects, set aside for divine worship by dedication or blessing, are to be treated with reverence. They are not to be made over to secular or inappropriate use, even though they may belong to private persons” (CIC 1171).
Essentially, sacramentals such as rosaries must be treated with respect, particularly if they have been blessed. Reverence is the attitude of awe or respect that is most often given to sacred things. By its very definition, it is an interior disposition that usually cannot be determined by onlookers by appearances alone. A person may be wearing a rosary as a statement of faith, to keep it handy for praying throughout the day, or to avoid losing it. Those reasons would be indicative of reverence and would not interfere with the canon’s directive that sacramentals must be treated reverently.
Ordinarily speaking, then, if someone is spotted wearing a rosary, he should be charitably presumed to be wearing it for just reasons. Only if the rosary is being put to an objectively sordid use (e.g., a rock star is using it as a prop in a music video, obscenely contrasting the symbolic purity of the rosary with the immodest or immoral actions of the performers) can we be sure that the rosary is being treated irreverently.
Q: Can a rosary be worn as a piece of jewelry?
A: “Sacred objects, set aside for divine worship by dedication or blessing, are to be treated with reverence. They are not to be made over to secular or inappropriate use, even though they may belong to private persons” (CIC 1171).
Essentially, sacramentals such as rosaries must be treated with respect, particularly if they have been blessed. Reverence is the attitude of awe or respect that is most often given to sacred things. By its very definition, it is an interior disposition that usually cannot be determined by onlookers by appearances alone. A person may be wearing a rosary as a statement of faith, to keep it handy for praying throughout the day, or to avoid losing it. Those reasons would be indicative of reverence and would not interfere with the canon’s directive that sacramentals must be treated reverently.
Ordinarily speaking, then, if someone is spotted wearing a rosary, he should be charitably presumed to be wearing it for just reasons. Only if the rosary is being put to an objectively sordid use (e.g., a rock star is using it as a prop in a music video, obscenely contrasting the symbolic purity of the rosary with the immodest or immoral actions of the performers) can we be sure that the rosary is being treated irreverently.
C
choy
Guest
D
DanielP
Guest
Interesting thoughts. As a new Catholic, but one that is married to a cradle Catholic, I have always been told that it is not appropriate. However, there are some in my church (older folks) who wear it. That said, I only see them wearing it while they are at church.
I think I will prefer to not wear my rosaries (I received 2 from family this year as gifts when I joined at the Easter Vigil).
I think I will prefer to not wear my rosaries (I received 2 from family this year as gifts when I joined at the Easter Vigil).
Y
Young_Thinker
Guest
It is used to be common for Catholics to wear necklace of the Rosary(I have read that some old Italian and Mexican ladies still do). I do not feel that there is anything wrong with it being a "fashion-statement, " as long it is worn by one in earnest. I think that crosses have been worn too extensively(i.e. by non-Christians or those who are not serious about their faith). I intend to become a priest and would like to wear one upon a regular basis.
O
OneAugustKnight
Guest
nearly everyone around here does. I just assume it’s so they can pray the rosary when they are commuting or stuck in traffic.
R
Rawb
Guest
I do. I’ve used it to pray as I was stuck in traffic due to an auto-accident, and it’s a constant reminder to act Christ-like while driving (something a lot of us could do with).
C
choy
Guest
its a joke amongst Filipinos (like myself) that if you see a car that has a rosary hanging from the rear-view mirros, it most probably is a Filipino
although the practice is widespread amongst Filipinos, i see a lot of other non-Filipinos do it as well
reasons vary, from superstition to profession of faith. some believe hanging the rosary there would invoke the Virgin Mary to pray for you for a safe journey. even keep your car from being stolen
Filipinos, as a practice inherited from the Spanish, would always have home “altars” where a table is set where religious statues are placed and prayer books are kept. this would also serve as the family praying area. during Spanish occupation, for the homes of the elite they would have a prayer room with kneelers and dozens of statues. now as an extension, the rosary on the rear view mirror is an easy and convenient way to have the same in your car, a prayer “corner”
O
OneAugustKnight
Guest
After seeing some answers about wearing a rosary, I should have just said it depends on the attitude of those around you. Not every parish is the same, so look at those around you and take your cue from them. Some people think it’s great and others will get angry about it.
A related question . . . What about a rosary car decal? Is that a good reminder or just tacky? I personally don’t like decals, car magnets, and bumper stickers. Even so, I do have a Preaux-Life magnet, and I thought about getting the rosary decal.
Also, do people find rosary apps for iphones disrespectful as well?
A related question . . . What about a rosary car decal? Is that a good reminder or just tacky? I personally don’t like decals, car magnets, and bumper stickers. Even so, I do have a Preaux-Life magnet, and I thought about getting the rosary decal.
Also, do people find rosary apps for iphones disrespectful as well?
M
mullenpm
Guest
AugustKnight, wearing a rosary around one’s neck has nothing to do with a parish. It has everything to do with superstition, as poster Choy implied.
Another poster said that she saw “older” people wearing them, which I question.
I am from pre-Vatican II and I can bet you will not find any CATHOLIC from my generation wearing a rosary around the neck. The older (whatever that means) people she said she saw would be after V2, when everything went astray.
But this thread is not about all the mis-interpretations of V2; it is about irreverence to the Rosary of Our Blessed Virgin Mary.
Please do not wear it around your neck or hang it from the rear view mirror. Keep it in your pocket or purse. Why is that so difficult to understand? Have some respect for a Sacramental of the Catholic Church
Another poster said that she saw “older” people wearing them, which I question.
I am from pre-Vatican II and I can bet you will not find any CATHOLIC from my generation wearing a rosary around the neck. The older (whatever that means) people she said she saw would be after V2, when everything went astray.
But this thread is not about all the mis-interpretations of V2; it is about irreverence to the Rosary of Our Blessed Virgin Mary.
Please do not wear it around your neck or hang it from the rear view mirror. Keep it in your pocket or purse. Why is that so difficult to understand? Have some respect for a Sacramental of the Catholic Church
D
DanielP
Guest
And I guarantee that you will see one of the ushers at my church wearing it around his neck, and he is an older gentleman - in my guesstimation in his late 50s, more likely early 60s.
O
OneAugustKnight
Guest
I don’t wear one around my neck, nor do I have one on my rearview mirror. It just doesn’t bother me if people do. All the sources I’ve looked at say it is okay to wear them. I’ll google the superstition thing and the gang thing and see what I find. If the Church does discourage this then please show me where so I can point to it when people ask.AugustKnight, wearing a rosary around one’s neck has nothing to do with a parish. It has everything to do with superstition, as poster Choy implied.
Another poster said that she saw “older” people wearing them, which I question.
I am from pre-Vatican II and I can bet you will not find any CATHOLIC from my generation wearing a rosary around the neck. The older (whatever that means) people she said she saw would be after V2, when everything went astray.
But this thread is not about all the mis-interpretations of V2; it is about irreverence to the Rosary of Our Blessed Virgin Mary.
Please do not wear it around your neck or hang it from the rear view mirror. Keep it in your pocket or purse. Why is that so difficult to understand? Have some respect for a Sacramental of the Catholic Church
BTW, I know a protestant that has rosary beads hanging from her rearview mirror, because she didn’t want to hurt her Catholic friend’s feelings. Perhaps I should persuade her to give them to me?
- Status