Rosaries as Necklaces?

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So I just registered a patient, 19 years old for his appointment and I noticed he was wearing his rosary–as a necklace. Is this some new fashion trend? I was always taught never to place the rosary over one’s head.
 
It’s a trend that’s been coming and going and coming back, off and on, for quite a while. I’ve noticed it seems to be quite common among young people of Latino/Hispanic ancestry around here (Massachusetts).
 
There are places that sell rosaries that have a clasp on them, and they are sold as “rosary necklaces.”

I know a lot of people that wear them.
 
I used to wear a Rosary when I was young. It was just a young thing.
 
It is common is certain cultures to wear the rosary rather than sticking it in your pocket. It’s an easy way to keep your rosary with you and safe. I know many Latinas do this because it is a cultural habit, but also because wonen’s clothing doesn’t always have pockets!
 
In some areas it’s (sadly) associated with gangs.

I’ve worn my rosary, tucked in to my shirt, just to keep it from getting tangled.
 
Also, if I remember correctly, St. Benedict Joseph Labre used to carry his rosary around his neck.
 
I’ve had a rosary around my neck for the past few years. It’s a good reminder to myself on how to behave, not to mention a visible sign to others (though usually it’s tucked away) of my faith.

🙂
 
Matrix_Refugee said:
It’s a trend that’s been coming and going and coming back, off and on, for quite a while. I’ve noticed it seems to be quite common among young people of Latino/Hispanic ancestry around here (Massachusetts).
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It’s common in Latin American countries, period. Young or old, has been for years. I don’t believe any disrespect is meant. It’s just a regional habit.
 
I was taught to carry it in my pocket and that’s what I do. Around where I live though a lot of hispanics do seem to wear it on their necks, mostly younger types. My cousin wears hers that way.

Though I’ve always wondered where keeping it in your pocket came from. Is it to avoid the vanity of treating the rosary as jewelry? Was it a habit developed from avoiding protestant persecution in certain parts of europe centuries ago? Do they wear it on the neck anywhere in europe?
 
Mystrx said:
I was taught to carry it in my pocket and that’s what I do. Around where I live though a lot of hispanics do seem to wear it on their necks, mostly younger types. My cousin wears hers that way.

However I’ve always wondered where keeping it in your pocket came from. Is it to avoid the vanity of treating the rosary as jewelry? Was it a habit developed from avoiding protestant persecution in certain parts of europe centuries ago? Do they wear it on the neck anywhere in europe?
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I’d get beaten or worse if I was in the wrong place and someone noticed it/knew what it was. Still wearing it around the neck.

EDIT: But you’re probably right.
 
Every day I see young people wearing them as fashion accessories, around the neck and outside of their garments in plain sight.

Rosaries are NOT fashion accessories. If worn around the neck then they should be tucked away under your shirt, as I understand it, and better still to simply carry the rosary in your pocket (without other junk in that pocket).
 
I don’t think a rosary is meant to be a piece of jewelry. Whether the wearer realizes it or not, it’s disrespectful. The intent of a rosary is a sacramental for prayer and not ornamentation. Look at past saints and consider how many of them ever wore their rosaries around their neck? Padre Pio, for example, carried one everyday of his life and never placed it around his neck so I think that’s a pretty good indicator that it’s probably not the right thing to do.

I’d suggest getting a scapular, crucifix, or religious medal if someone wants a constant reminder of their faith hanging around their neck.

Lastly, we need to be careful that when wearing a crucifix or scapular that it doesn’t become a prideful thing. The intent isn’t to show others how holy we are because we wear them, it’s a personal and private reminder of our love for Jesus and Mary.
 
Nigel7 said:
Every day I see young people wearing them as fashion accessories, around the neck and outside of their garments in plain sight.

Rosaries are NOT fashion accessories. If worn around the neck then they should be tucked away under your shirt, as I understand it, and better still to simply carry the rosary in your pocket (without other junk in that pocket).
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mbn576 said:
I don’t think a rosary is meant to be a piece of jewelry. Whether the wearer realizes it or not, it’s disrespectful. The intent of a rosary is a sacramental for prayer and not ornamentation. Look at past saints and consider how many of them ever wore their rosaries around their neck? Padre Pio, for example, carried one everyday of his life and never placed it around his neck so I think that’s a pretty good indicator that it’s probably not the right thing to do.

I’d suggest getting a scapular, crucifix, or religious medal if someone wants a constant reminder of their faith hanging around their neck.

Lastly, we need to be careful that when wearing a crucifix or scapular that it doesn’t become a prideful thing. The intent isn’t to show others how holy we are because we wear them, it’s a personal and private reminder of our love for Jesus and Mary.
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mcvaninc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4040
 
maryjk said:
There are places that sell rosaries that have a clasp on them, and they are sold as “rosary necklaces.”

I know a lot of people that wear them.
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I would never do so, but I got a rosary as a Confirmation present that has such a clasp in the middle of the third decade. It is unobtrusive, but I sometimes mistaken it for a bead.

That rosary came from the Vatican and was blessed by the Holy Father, so I guess it’s ok. It It includes a St. Benedict medal.

As others have said, wearing or not wearing is a cultural thing. Monks and nuns in some orders traditionally wore them as necklaces to keep them handy. It is also common in Latino culture. I would reserve my ire for more important matters.
 
martininthefiel said:
As others have said, wearing or not wearing is a cultural thing. Monks and nuns in some orders traditionally wore them as necklaces t
o keep them handy. It is also common in Latino culture. I would reserve my ire for more important matters.
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Indeed: it’s in the same order as naming kids Jesus. It’s not something that’s done in most European countries or by people of European extraction, out of respect for Christ, but one finds a fair number of boys/men from Central and South America named Jesus.
 
jilly4ski said:
Of course, if the rosaries people were wearing were that big, I doubt young people and gangbangers would be taking on that trend. 😛
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Sure they would… they would be gold… and called “bling”…
 
Here in the bible belt the black southern baptist kids wear them. I asked some of the kids at WalMart if they were Catholic and they chuckled and told me SB.

Also, plastic jewelry rosaries are sold at the dollar general store next to car freshners.
 
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