So... blasphemy is now fashionable

[barny]

You raise some valid points.

If you were baptized as a Catholic, wear a Miraculous Medal, and view this forum, you certainly have a leaning towards Catholicism.

As for offending, I don’t see how.

 

[Christy_Beth]

The one issue I have a problem with is wearing the rosary as a necklace. One time I gave a rosary to a friend (a noncatholic), and later saw her wearing it around her neck. I did tell her that it wasn’t to be worn that way. Her question was; where else to put it? I suggested in her pocket would probably be more acceptable.

 

[Matariel]

The one issue I have a problem with is wearing the rosary as a necklace. One time I gave a rosary to a friend (a noncatholic), and later saw her wearing it around her neck. I did tell her that it wasn’t to be worn that way. Her question was; where else to put it? I suggested in her pocket would probably be more acceptable.

Hm. I disagree. The only problem I have is with people who don’t believe in Jesus or the rosary wearing Catholic articles/sacramentals.

Now, for Catholics, people should be proud to be Catholic, and wear it on their sleeve. You’d be suprised the things people ask you about, and you can lead them into a conversation about your Faith.

The Jesuits, when they saw Africans being brought to America from Africa, they prayed to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel that whomever they put rosaries around the necks of, they would eventually become Catholic. So as they came over onshore, the Jesuits put rosaries on them and gave them Catholic tracts and such.

So I think if you wear a rosary as a sign of your Faith (or if you are a non-Catholic Christian that believes in the power of the rosary) and as a symbol of your Faith, it’s fine.

If you wear it just to be fashionable, or if a non-Catholic wears it just to be fashionable, then that’s not good at all.

 

[Matariel]

Heh, I was thinking something along the same extent, as I just watched the movie Clockers directed by Spike Lee. Most of the drug dealers and murderers in that movie wear crosses, the main drug lord even has one dangling from the mirror in his car.

I thought it was sickening.

It makes you wonder:

Why do people have symbols of things they don’t believe in or symbols of a belief system opposed to their moral state?

It’s kind of dishonest on their part, and also degrades the symbol itself, whether it’s blessed or not. Crucifixes are already holy whether they’re blessed or not, due to their semblance.

Degradation of Catholicism is nothing new though.

 

[vashsunglasses]

Several months ago I went shopping at my local Rue 21 (a fashion boutique) and they were selling these at the counter:

giftscatholic.com/catalog/Saints-Bracelets.html

I asked about it and she said that they were trendy nowadays and was surprised when I pointed out that they were covered in pictures of Catholic Saints.

I took it as a mostly positive thing. It shows how the secular mind is drawn to that which is holy. Perhaps someone will buy or receive one of these bracelets as a gift and then become curious about the images on it. Unless they are wearing it to actively mock the Catholic faith, or wearing them while committing scandalous acts, then I really don’t see why it’s “blasphemy”.

 

[lesse]

Hi Everyone Well I Would Just Like To Say What Ever Is Happening Elsewere In The World Its Not Happening Here.were I Come From The Catholic Faith Is Taken Seriously By Those Who Are And For The People Who Aren’t They Really Wouldn’t Have Anything To Do With It, But If The Style Issue Reaches Us I Will Let U No Because It Would Be A Big Thing.

 

[Sillara]

The one issue I have a problem with is wearing the rosary as a necklace. One time I gave a rosary to a friend (a noncatholic), and later saw her wearing it around her neck. I did tell her that it wasn’t to be worn that way. Her question was; where else to put it? I suggested in her pocket would probably be more acceptable.

Actually, wearing the rosary around the neck IS acceptable, at least according to St. Louis de Montfort (also known as the Apostle of Mary). He calls it “wearing Her livery.”

I myself wear a Miraculous Medal, but only because my rosary is too long to wear around my neck. I have five children, and the youngest is two months old. Long things around Mama’s neck don’t work.

But I LOVE my rosary, and I would be honored to be able to wear it. I wear my Miraculous Medal for the same reason.

 

[The_Stig]

What’s the old saw? “As soon as we stopped praying with rosaries, the hippies started wearing them.”

 

[sawtoothranch]

Bishop Sheen said something to the nature that as the people of the Church cast off sacramentals such as rosaries, the world picks them up and uses them, but in a perverse way.
Sawtoothranch

 

[MariaG]

Actually, wearing the rosary around the neck IS acceptable, at least according to St. Louis de Montfort (also known as the Apostle of Mary). He calls it “wearing Her livery.”

I myself wear a Miraculous Medal, but only because my rosary is too long to wear around my neck. I have five children, and the youngest is two months old. Long things around Mama’s neck don’t work.

But I LOVE my rosary, and I would be honored to be able to wear it. I wear my Miraculous Medal for the same reason.

My grandfather wore his big beaded PURPLE rosary to work, the construction site.

I think that those who are offended need to remember that there are now, and have been in the past, plenty of faithful, godly people who have worn their rosaries. And the fact that there are now those who do so now in a disrepectful way, in no way makes wearing a rosary wrong for those who do so for the right reasons.

I do not prefer to wear my rosary around my neck, but love to see it when my son does!

 

[lakotak]

Hi All,

I for one wear a small crucifix and a Miraculous metal. I wear them as I am a witness for Christ. Since He was crucified upon the cross for all mankind, I see no reason for it to be wrong to wear a cross/crucifix when done for the proper reason. My personal opinion is that the crucifix should be worn over your heart reminding you of Jesus’ sacrifice and the rosary should be held in your hand as you pray to Mary with your heart for her intercession to her Son. I don’t think the rosary should be worn about the neck.

 

[vashsunglasses]

I’ve worn my rosary around my neck. Usually when the clothes I’m wearing don’t have any pockets and I don’t feel like taking my purse with me.

Around the neck is a very convenient place to keep it, and you don’t have to worry that it will fall out of a pocket or be damaged. As Christians we are part of the Body of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit, I see no reason why it would be blasphemous to adorn ourselves with sacramentals, just as a Church is decorated.

When I see someone wearing a rosary or crucifix I like to assume that they are wearing it with good intentions. I don’t know people’s hearts, so I don’t judge whether or not a person is right to wear a sacramental. Perhaps it was given to them by a Christian friend or family member?

In a similar way, I’ve given my non-Catholic Grandmother a blessed statue of St. Michael the Archangel as a symbol of my desire that St. Michael will protect her from evil. Is it wrong for her to display that statue by her bed, just because she isn’t a Catholic herself?

 

[RodneyJ]

I’ve worn my rosary around my neck. Usually when the clothes I’m wearing don’t have any pockets and I don’t feel like taking my purse with me.

Around the neck is a very convenient place to keep it, and you don’t have to worry that it will fall out of a pocket or be damaged. As Christians we are part of the Body of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit, I see no reason why it would be blasphemous to adorn ourselves with sacramentals, just as a Church is decorated.

When I see someone wearing a rosary or crucifix I like to assume that they are wearing it with good intentions. I don’t know people’s hearts, so I don’t judge whether or not a person is right to wear a sacramental. Perhaps it was given to them by a Christian friend or family member?

In a similar way, I’ve given my non-Catholic Grandmother a blessed statue of St. Michael the Archangel as a symbol of my desire that St. Michael will protect her from evil. Is it wrong for her to display that statue by her bed, just because she isn’t a Catholic herself?

I believe that what you’re doing is fine. However, like has been stated in this thread already, if you’re wearing it as some sort of fashion statement as opposed to a statement for God, you’re in the wrong. I simple carry mine in my pocket. I’m not even Catholic yet, but it gives me a great feeling just knowing that it is on me and it reminds me to be constantly in prayer.

 

[vashsunglasses]

I believe that what you’re doing is fine. However, like has been stated in this thread already, if you’re wearing it as some sort of fashion statement as opposed to a statement for God, you’re in the wrong. I simple carry mine in my pocket. I’m not even Catholic yet, but it gives me a great feeling just knowing that it is on me and it reminds me to be constantly in prayer.

I think people misunderstand the meaning of “fashion statement” in regards to sacramentals. If one is a devout Catholic then there is no possible WAY one could wear a sacramental in any way other than devoutly. Also, there is nothing wrong with wearing holy objects that are also beautiful or even coordinating them with your outfits. I have a couple different saints bracelets that I wear depending on what my outfit is like. I have one for formal occasions and one for informal occasions, and so on. Not only are they spiritually functional BUT I LIKE THE WAY THEY MAKE ME LOOK WHEN I WEAR THEM. I’m sure many of you would think this a sin, but IMO that sounds like scrupulosity to me. God gave us beautiful things so that we can enjoy them and adorn ourselves with them.

It’s the same as with churches. We don’t just put holy objects in churches because they are holy, but also because they are beautiful. Sometimes I listen to Mozart’s Requiem Mass not because I am in a spiritual mood, but because I want to listen to something that is breathtakingly beautiful. I wear a miraculous medal and I love the way it accents my throat. Of course I wear it for devotional reasons, but I am not devotional 24/7/365. Nobody is.

The only time I would call wearing a sacramental blasphemous is if a person did it to actively mock or pervert the Catholic Faith. If an Atheist wore it in an act of mockery, or a Satanist wore it for a black mass… Those acts are blasphemous. But the average non-Catholic person who wears a sacramental wears one because they admire it’s beauty. That’s not blasphemy. It may be foolish, but the vast majority of people don’t even know what a sacramental is.

 

[monicatholic]

Anyway, I see a parallel with wearing crosses, etc. Make them part of the scenery. Dissociate them with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Make them just another piece of jewelry.

this is a good point. think about Christmastime, passing by a home simply cluttered with ornaments and lights, and huddled amongst the Frostys and Santas and 7 foot tall inflatable ScoobyDoos is a 3 foot tall plastic, illuminated nativity set.

so… the Infant Jesus is a cartoon character?

and the cruciified Christ an accessory?

but blesphemy is defined such:

2148 Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name

i think misuse of sacramentals falls under sacrilege, which the CCC describes

2120 Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God.

 

[Numinous]

I’m with Sillara. We both wear our Miraculous Medals that a colleague of mine got for us when she was doing her doctoral work on the still-living Mother Theresa. Theresa gave my colleague two Miraculous Medals, and my colleague then gave them to me and Sillara as presents for our coming home to the Church three years ago.

 

[Marsha_Adams]

People have Rosaries dangling on mirrors in cars. . .

On behalf of car dangling Rosaries, I usually keep one there so I have it handy when away from home. Maybe others do to?

 

[Matariel]

On behalf of car dangling Rosaries, I usually keep one there so I have it handy when away from home. Maybe others do to?

I do. And in the glovebox. It’s a wonderful place to have it, there on the mirror, to remind you to drive safely, always think of Jesus when you look at the crucifix, especially when someone cuts you off in traffic and you want to yell something not good.

And also it tells people you’re proud to be Catholic!

 

[Matariel]

If an Atheist wore it in an act of mockery, or a Satanist wore it for a black mass…

Only a Satanist would wear an upside-down crucifix/cross…

I saw one with an “anti-rosary”, chains resembling the form of a rosary with a pentagramme for the centerpiece and an upside-down crucifix.

Now that’s blasphemous.

 

[Marsha_Adams]

Originally Posted by Baloo
Heh, I was thinking something along the same extent, as I just watched the movie Clockers directed by Spike Lee. Most of the drug dealers and murderers in that movie wear crosses, the main drug lord even has one dangling from the mirror in his car.

I thought it was sickening.

Some folks wear them like good luck charms, People in those professions, probably feel like they need all the good luck they can get.