To wear the Crucifix

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I wear a Crucifix every Sunday. Its on the outside of my shirt. Its about 2-1/2” long by 1-1/2” wide
The cross is made from Olive wood and the body is Pewter. When I was baptized 14 years ago I did not wear one. Just the empty cross. I notice that for the most part Catholics do not wear it exposed. Why not? I am getting inspiration that is telling me we all need to wear it at least all day on Sunday. The world today needs this. Yes its hard for so many reasons. But is not hard are calling? Could you imagine all Catholics doing this together? I think its time.
 
I too wear a Cross outside my shirt,it,s made of wood,and Jesus is attach to the Cross,and it is hung around my neck,bye a cloth brown rope,which I wear daily,I only remove it from my neck when I take a bath, I even sleep with it on at night,so that if I want ,I can hold it in my hand,or Kiss it and tell Jesus how much I love him. And when I go walking ,It,s outside my shirt or jacket,to let people know that I,am devoted to the Cross in which Jesus died to save me,.I ve be told bye people that see it around my neck that it,s a beautiful Cross your wearing,and I say back ,"Thank you "for saying that,because when they do,it touch my heart,for they have notice Jesus,which shows me that they love him. :harp:
 
I’ve always worn my brown scapular under my shirts, and my sterling silver crucifix (cross with corpus) outside my shirts so it’s visible to all. I’d feel naked if I didn’t wear both of them.

I’ve always gotten nice compliments from others, and I’ve noticed over time that some have begun to wear a crucifix (or a cross, if protestant) as well.

My Catholic faith is the most important thing in my life, and there’s no way I’m going to hide it.

“he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:9
 
I also wear a crucifix (not a cross) always. It is outside of my shirt most of the time, especially to work and to mass, but usually at home or at the pub or wherever too.
Occasionally people comment on it, (mostly Catholics), but never any negative comments even from people of different faiths. I’ve never taken my crucifix off, and would feel naked withou it - more so than I would if I wasnt wearing a watch.
To the original poster: Wear your crucifix with pride, not just on Sundays!

God bless.

Pray for peace

Paul
 
I always wear my late Mothers Russian Orthodox cross, its a small one on a short chain, I wear my 4 way cross on a longer chain and my Miraculous Medal on a chain between the others. I wear all 3 of them on the outside of my blouse and have gotten many complements on all 3 of them,. I would never hide them. Occasionally I leave the 4 way medal inside but the other 2 always on the outside. I have never gotten a negative comment. I am very proud to be a Catholic and glad to share my faith.
 
catholic-rcia said:
I wear a Crucifix every Sunday. Its on the outside of my shirt. Its about 2-1/2” long by 1-1/2” wide
The cross is made from Olive wood and the body is Pewter. When I was baptized 14 years ago I did not wear one. Just the empty cross. I notice that for the most part Catholics do not wear it exposed. Why not? I am getting inspiration that is telling me we all need to wear it at least all day on Sunday. The world today needs this. Yes its hard for so many reasons. But is not hard are calling? Could you imagine all Catholics doing this together? I think its time.
Click to expand...
When I went through RCIA I always used to wear a crucifix outside, except in the workplace.

I have a friend who upon conversion was called to evangelization, and wore this large St. Benedict Crucifix outside all the time…! :o I could have never done that, but in him you could see God’s work being done that way. People in college didn’t say anything about my crucifix, but many referred to him as “the Jesus guy” and not in mockery, but with respect, as they felt something major was happening in him.

Now sometimes I wear a St. Benedict Crucifix outside, other times (mostly) I don’t do so, simply because in some contexts I wish to be “hidden in Christ” rather than attracting attention. I feel that it prevents me from relating spontaneously to some people or to do what I am called to do, because people will immediately see the crucifix and feel prompted to pass judgment - if anything, that I am trying to set myself apart from them by wearing a crucifix.

Also on several occasions in several places people had the idea (and they told me) that I was a priest, or a seminarian, or a missionary. Since I am neither, why give the wrong impression?

It is not necessarily wrong or bad - in some contexts it can be very good - but if you ask me, I think everyone needs to conform to their state of life, and laymen must look like laymen without any special difference. Special symbols are worn by lay ministers, lay brothers, religious, ordained ministers - and for excellent reasons.

But I will (if possible) always wear on my neck a crucifix alongside the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel (and I also add a Miraculous Medal or Medal of the Immaculate Conception, which has both Pierced Hearts).
 
I wear a cross on the inside of my shirt.

Should I wear a crucifix instead? I have been thinking about this for some time.
 
when I was going through the RCIA process about halfway through I purchased a sterling silver Crucifix. At my Confirmation my wife bought me the St. Bennedicts Medal. I wear them both(the medal behind the Crucifix) ALL the time. My only problem is that I love the image of the Crucifix so much I cant Decide which style I want to wear from time to time.
 
I wear a small crucifix, wood and pewter on a short cord so that it is exposed where my collar is open. Everyone can see it, it doesn’t interfere with work, nobody is offended (I think) and no employer can complain (or threaten) over such a subtle display.
 
ajecphotos said:
I wear a cross on the inside of my shirt.

Should I wear a crucifix instead? I have been thinking about this for some time.
Click to expand...
As with all sacramentals, our Crosses or Crucifixes should direct our focus to Jesus . And if a plain Cross does that for you then thats fine. From a protestant background I was never allowed to wear a crucifix because the protestant way of thinking was that Jesus is not “on the cross” anymore. My response now is that I agree, but if you want to see what true love, mercy, and grace looks like…here it is
 
I wear a cross and two medals (Michael + Mary) that were given to me at my baptism and chrismation, as is tradition in my family. They go on the inside of my shirt, although I often wear dress shirts and leave the top two buttons unbuttoned so they are, incidentally, visible. The idea of wearing these items are not that they are fashion statements or items of evangelization but that they direct our minds and hearts constantly towards prayer during the course of every day.

There is a particular danger in making them outward signs, especially when it may lead an individual to take a tone of superiority of pride. At the Prep School I went to many of the guys were of Italian descent so it was common to wear chains and there would always be the inevitable question of what your chain is made of and I think focusing on the fact that the image of Mary, Michael or the cross I’m wearing is 21k is more so the work of Satan than anything else. While it is an incidental fact, that should not be the focus, which seems inevitable when such items become the topic of discussion. Just my two-cents 🤷.
 
catholic-rcia said:
I wear a Crucifix every Sunday. Its on the outside of my shirt. Its about 2-1/2” long by 1-1/2” wide
The cross is made from Olive wood and the body is Pewter. When I was baptized 14 years ago I did not wear one. Just the empty cross. I notice that for the most part Catholics do not wear it exposed. Why not? I am getting inspiration that is telling me we all need to wear it at least all day on Sunday. The world today needs this. Yes its hard for so many reasons. But is not hard are calling? Could you imagine all Catholics doing this together? I think its time.
Click to expand...
I wear a prominent and large silver Pardon Crucifix, always on the outside of my shirt. I’m Catholic, and therefore, I will promote Christ whenever and how ever possible. I normally wear my brown scapular and medals under my shirt, but I’ve taken to wearing my scapular outside my shirt sometimes because I’ve found that it attracts questions which I am more than happy to answer.
 
johnthebaptist2 said:
I too wear a Cross outside my shirt,it,s made of wood,and Jesus is attach to the Cross,and it is hung around my neck,bye a cloth brown rope,which I wear daily,I only remove it from my neck when I take a bath, I even sleep with it on at night,so that if I want ,I can hold it in my hand,or Kiss it and tell Jesus how much I love him. And when I go walking ,It,s outside my shirt or jacket,to let people know that I,am devoted to the Cross in which Jesus died to save me,.I ve be told bye people that see it around my neck that it,s a beautiful Cross your wearing,and I say back ,"Thank you "for saying that,because when they do,it touch my heart,for they have notice Jesus,which shows me that they love him. :harp:
Click to expand...
I encounter the same response. It is a very good thing,
 
amgp said:
I’ve always worn my brown scapular under my shirts, and my sterling silver crucifix (cross with corpus) outside my shirts so it’s visible to all. I’d feel naked if I didn’t wear both of them.

I’ve always gotten nice compliments from others, and I’ve noticed over time that some have begun to wear a crucifix (or a cross, if protestant) as well.

My Catholic faith is the most important thing in my life, and there’s no way I’m going to hide it.

“he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:9
Click to expand...
Anytime we can speak about the Cross to someone inquiring, this is probably the most important conversation we will ever have. For others
 
BlaconPaul said:
I also wear a crucifix (not a cross) always. It is outside of my shirt most of the time, especially to work and to mass, but usually at home or at the pub or wherever too.
Occasionally people comment on it, (mostly Catholics), but never any negative comments even from people of different faiths. I’ve never taken my crucifix off, and would feel naked withou it - more so than I would if I wasnt wearing a watch.
To the original poster: Wear your crucifix with pride, not just on Sundays!

God bless.

Pray for peace

Paul
Click to expand...
I work with the public. The spirit allows me the freedom to be open to this. There are times when it is best not to wear it on the outside of my shirt. Like giving an estimate for work. You see I lived in Utah for 15 years. Getting the job is much more important. Because it allows me the opportunity to wear it after I get into the home to do the work. Lots of fantastic conversations have arisen…not by me…but by Christ. As far as pride goes. Its best not to read to much into wearing the Crucifix. Best not to use it for alternative motives. Its best to let it lead, into all humility and love.
 
R_C said:
When I went through RCIA I always used to wear a crucifix outside, except in the workplace.

I have a friend who upon conversion was called to evangelization, and wore this large St. Benedict Crucifix outside all the time…! :o I could have never done that, but in him you could see God’s work being done that way. People in college didn’t say anything about my crucifix, but many referred to him as “the Jesus guy” and not in mockery, but with respect, as they felt something major was happening in him.

Now sometimes I wear a St. Benedict Crucifix outside, other times (mostly) I don’t do so, simply because in some contexts I wish to be “hidden in Christ” rather than attracting attention. I feel that it prevents me from relating spontaneously to some people or to do what I am called to do, because people will immediately see the crucifix and feel prompted to pass judgment - if anything, that I am trying to set myself apart from them by wearing a crucifix.

Also on several occasions in several places people had the idea (and they told me) that I was a priest, or a seminarian, or a missionary. Since I am neither, why give the wrong impression?

It is not necessarily wrong or bad - in some contexts it can be very good - but if you ask me, I think everyone needs to conform to their state of life, and laymen must look like laymen without any special difference. Special symbols are worn by lay ministers, lay brothers, religious, ordained ministers - and for excellent reasons.

But I will (if possible) always wear on my neck a crucifix alongside the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel (and I also add a Miraculous Medal or Medal of the Immaculate Conception, which has both Pierced Hearts).
Click to expand...
All makes perfect sense. We all have special gifts and callings. I have had all of those feelings as well. All of those worries…I put it on in spite of that. My own children sometimes feel uncomfortable when they are out with me. Sometimes I do as well. But I have a pretty good sense of where that comes…I let it go and continue to wear the Crucifix
 
ajecphotos said:
I wear a cross on the inside of my shirt.

Should I wear a crucifix instead? I have been thinking about this for some time.
Click to expand...
Oh yes and yes and yes. I to went through that, same thing. What is the Cross without Jesus on it. It was what He came to do. Devil hates the Crucifix. He would say to you “Why focus on the death of Christ, He is risen” Its in the depths of His suffering that we find our true selves. The joy of Christ arises from the ashes.
 
I’ve never worn a plain cross. I have an exorcised St. Benedict crucifix that I’ve usually worn, outside my clothing, at work or not. It’s about 3" tall, dark wood, with a silver lining and corpus.
 
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