Wearing a Rosary for Chastity purposes?

[AJV]

What if wearing an unblessed Rosary is the only thing that can remind me to remain chaste and help me in times of temptation? Is it still unacceptable? I don’t think it’s sacrilegious if it isn’t blessed, it’s not for fashion (publicly displayed), and I have an actual devotion to Mary. What’s the general consensus here on wearing Rosaries?

I’m curious why a *blessed *rosary cannot be worn.

One of the priests at my church (the spiritual director for some of the youth) recommends this practice to young people for the same reason -chastity. He does it for 3 reasons: (1) to look at the crucifix and remember Christ’s suffering and love (2) sign of devotion to our Lady - to invoke her intercession in time of temptation (3) reminder to pray the rosary in order to imitate our Lady’s purity.

It’s kind of off-topic, but I’ve personally found the recitation of the Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos (canon included) extremely helpful in avoiding all kinds of temptation. I recite it every day and invite you to take a look at it - it might be helpful for you also. (I use this translation)

 

[Sam_Maloney]

Because of Madonna and a few others, the rosary as jewelry sends exactly the opposite message of what the OP intends.

I say get a nice crucifix. It won’t be mis-interpreted, and will be sufficient to the cause, if you want it to be-- bear in mind that these things are not magic, it still comes down to your free will.

 

[scapularkid8]

bear in mind that these things are not magic, it still comes down to your free will.

I completely understand. I’m not one to put faith in things (…I’m even involuntarily skeptical sometimes of Catholic use of statue in worship, whole different topic, just trying to make my point though). I’m just so much of a simpleton in things like faith practice that sometimes I need a good kick in the teeth via a physical object such as a Rosary that acts as that.

 

[jonnyws]

I don’t understand the need of having something “remind” you to remain chaste and help you in times of temptation. Don’t you know that sex outside of marriage is a sin? And that all sin, most especially grievous sin, is to be avoided?

Remaining chaste is a commitment of the will. If you are committed to Christ, then the chastity thing should be easy. If you don’t have a “crutch” to remind you, then who will you blame if you fall into sin?

Avoid the times and places where temptation is strong and you won’t need to worry about it.

I wholeheartedly disagree with this! It is not simply a matter of saying ‘I will not to sin’ and therefore you won’t sin. Also there is certainly nothing easy about not sinning, especially keeping chaste (being a university student and a recent convert I know all about these difficulties). I personally wear a Crucifix around my neck. I do this because it reminds me of what our Lord has done for us and also because it drives me to prayer in difficult situations.

One of the wonderful things the Incarnation did for us was it sanctified and made holy the material, it began the process of renewing the world. Because of this we can use material objects, when blessed, as a way of leading us to the Divine. Therefore I see no problem in the use of a rosary, or any other religious object, as a way of reminding ourselves of what Christ did for us and as a way of helping us accept His grace and stay strong so as not to offend Him. To say that we don’t need these objects or that we shouldn’t use them is tantamount to saying we must whitewash our churches and strip down our Altars.

 

[historybrat]

This is only my opinion, but if wearing the rosary inside or outside of your clothing helps you to remain chaste do it. If this has become a problem for you and wearing the rosary helps you to remember what God’s will for you is then it really doesn’t matter what anyone else here says. As it has been pointed out by another poster there is nothing saying you can’t. Perhaps we should all be strong enough to avoid temptations, but God has given each of us different crosses to bear. What gives you problems may not give another person problems. God has also been gracious enough to give us aid to bear our crosses, perhaps the rosary is way that God has given you to ease your burden. I don’t know. Pray and if he tells you to wear than wear it.

Historybrat

 

[Pax_Vobiscum_57]

I don’t understand the need of having something “remind” you to remain chaste and help you in times of temptation. Don’t you know that sex outside of marriage is a sin? And that all sin, most especially grievous sin, is to be avoided?

Remaining chaste is a commitment of the will. If you are committed to Christ, then the chastity thing should be easy. If you don’t have a “crutch” to remind you, then who will you blame if you fall into sin?

Avoid the times and places where temptation is strong and you won’t need to worry about it.

Hi, Timothy~
I think the OP was asking if it is offensive to wear the sacramental to be a constant reminder of her constant struggle to be Christ’s light in the world. We all behave a little bit better when we have tangible reminders of our faith. I pray my rosary in the car, because it reduces my tendencies to aggravation in traffic delays, and there are lots of them right now.

I am very proud of young people who turn to the Eucharist, prayer, and the like to remain strong. Scapular kid, I salute you! And I will also remember you in my prayers. You sound like you’ve got your head screwed on right!

 

[redrosetea]

From this rock…

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.

 

[AJV]

Ordinarily speaking, then, if someone is spotted wearing a rosary,

Which is why it is probably better to wear your rosary under your shirt instead of displaying it visibly.

 

[RichT]

“I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and avoid the near occasions of sin.”

I happen to take this statement seriously; is it just lip service for you???

There’s a reason we are encouraged to go to Confession regularly and often. Some of us struggle and fall to the same sin more than once. I keep a small plastic rosary draped over the corner of my computer screen. It makes it a little difficult to view porn and other bad things when you feel like the Blessed Mother is watching you.

 

[Saint_Gemma]

I think that wearing a rosary is fine as long as you are wearing it out of devotion, not because it is fashionable or pretty. I would suggest wearing a simple rosary, instead of a fancy one, so that the fact that you are wearing it out of devotion is fairly obvious.

 

[Johndigger]

There’s nothing wrong with you thinking that the rosary is pretty, but it’s a simply case of honest. Don’t wear it because its pretty. Wear it because you love your Mother.

God is beauty Itself, so getting a beautiful rosary is not neccessarily a bad thing because beauty reminds us of the ultimate source of beauty.

JD

 

[Timothysis]

I wholeheartedly disagree with this! It is not simply a matter of saying ‘I will not to sin’ and therefore you won’t sin. Also there is certainly nothing easy about not sinning, especially keeping chaste (being a university student and a recent convert I know all about these difficulties)…To say that we don’t need these objects or that we shouldn’t use them is tantamount to saying we must whitewash our churches and strip down our Altars.

I’m very much taken aback by this attitude that it is so hard to not sin, especially when it involves chastity. Are human beings so weak that all it takes is for a woman to smile, wink and show a flash of leg and they will immediately hop in the sack with them? I’ve been in situations where it would have only taken a quick ok and it would have been sin city. The reason it didn’t happen is because I chose NOT to do it. How could I even dare to seek forgiveness from the Lord in confession if I didn’t even try to avoid sin?

As someone above stated, rosaries and crosses are not magical charms that keep us from sin. If you only pray the rosary when temptation calls then perhaps you need to change your devotional practices. It’s common sense, really; if you are about to do something that you know you shouldn’t, then DON’T DO IT!!!

 

[Timothysis]

There’s a reason we are encouraged to go to Confession regularly and often. Some of us struggle and fall to the same sin more than once. I keep a small plastic rosary draped over the corner of my computer screen. It makes it a little difficult to view porn and other bad things when you feel like the Blessed Mother is watching you.

Rich, I can appreciate your point of view. Let’s all please try to remember that Jesus and His Blessed Mother are always there for us. I suppose if wearing a rosary helps avoid sin, then fine, but let’s try to progress to next level where we avoid sin for love of Christ.

 

[scapularkid8]

Hi, Timothy~
I think the OP was asking if it is offensive to wear the sacramental to be a constant reminder of her

Thanks so much…but I’m a guy

 

[jonnyws]

I’m very much taken aback by this attitude that it is so hard to not sin

Sin is not something that can be avoided by will power, to believe it can be is to join the ranks of Pelegius and other heretics. Also it worth noting that the most grievous sins we committee are the sins we committee in our own minds, particularly the sins of judgment and condemnation.

Are human beings so weak that all it takes is for a woman to smile, wink and show a flash of leg and they will immediately hop in the sack with them?

You seem to be judging peoples situations without knowing the first thing about them. Myself for example. I was in a sexual relationship before I converted to Catholicism with a girl I am very much in love with. Now we have embraced a chaste relationship but it is all to easy to fall, especially when you have experienced the joy of expressing love in such a unitive way and now cannot do so with that same person you used to before. It is certainly not a smile and a wink situation, it is a yearning to show true love for each other in a way you used to do. In these situations, when you can be overwhelmed by emotion and your motive is purely love it is all to easy to forget the Sacrament you are waiting for.

How could I even dare to seek forgiveness from the Lord in confession if I didn’t even try to avoid sin?

Quite simply because the Sacrament is not there for those that are perfect but those who are wayward. To be in sin and to feel, or sometimes even be told, that you shouldn’t ‘dare’ approach the Lord for forgiveness and grace is an awful thing indeed. You are suggesting that we should not go to confession if we have committed a mortal sin, given that you have to be in full knowledge that you are sinning to commit one. It is the sick that need a doctor, not the healthy. In your sentence above your effectively implying that you can only be forgiven for venial sins, not mortal. If that is the case Heaven will be empty.

As someone above stated, rosaries and crosses are not magical charms that keep us from sin.

They are not magical charms but they are ways of deepening our relationship with the Lord. They will not keep us away from sin by their intrinsic nature but by having them on our person we can be reminded of the grace the Lord has poured out for us and we may choose to accept it rather than deny it.

If you only pray the rosary when temptation calls then perhaps you need to change your devotional practices.

This is frankly just offensive.

Firstly, what right does any member of this forum have to suggest someone should change their devotional practices, especially if they are not against the Churches teaching.

Secondly, assuming this comment was aimed at me as you are quoting me in your post, where in my post have I implied I only say the rosary when temptation calls. Prayer life should not be a public affair but in this situation I think it is worth pointing out that I pray the rosary each day either before a statue of our Lady I have in my room or before the Blessed Sacrament if I can get to it; I can assure you that I am very rarely in temptation during my periods of rosary prayer.

To finish I would strongly suggest that you hang fire on criticizing how other people deal with sin; on implying to people that they shouldn’t go to confession if they have committed a mortal sin; and also you might want to hang back on the judging people concerning when and why they pray.

 

[RichT]

I’m very much taken aback by this attitude that it is so hard to not sin, especially when it involves chastity. Are human beings so weak that all it takes is for a woman to smile, wink and show a flash of leg and they will immediately hop in the sack with them? I’ve been in situations where it would have only taken a quick ok and it would have been sin city. The reason it didn’t happen is because I chose NOT to do it. How could I even dare to seek forgiveness from the Lord in confession if I didn’t even try to avoid sin?

As someone above stated, rosaries and crosses are not magical charms that keep us from sin. If you only pray the rosary when temptation calls then perhaps you need to change your devotional practices. It’s common sense, really; if you are about to do something that you know you shouldn’t, then DON’T DO IT!!!

Tim, everyone has different levels of temptation, and for some, we are more easily tempted than others. It does not mean we don’t love Jesus, it just means that we as humans are not perfect. It does not mean we don’t strive to be Christ like, but as humans we will always fall short. And yes, unfortunately for some, it doesn’t take much to be lured into a sinful situation.

Take for example someone who is addicted to porn. As with any addiction, it is very easy to be tempted. There are many who struggle greatly with this addiction. If having a rosary around one’s neck, or a picture of Jesus taped to their computer monitor helps them avoid sin, then by all means, they should do those things.

Also, we must remember that we are not taught to see such items as magical charms, but to see them as scramentals. They are items that reminds us of who we are, and for some, these items aid in bringing them closer to Jesus. To tell someone to simply “Don’t do it!”, may seem simple to some, but when the world is constantly telling us to “Just do it!”, it makes the battle difficult.

Rich, I can appreciate your point of view. Let’s all please try to remember that Jesus and His Blessed Mother are always there for us. I suppose if wearing a rosary helps avoid sin, then fine, but let’s try to progress to next level where we avoid sin for love of Christ.

I would hope that all of us are striving to progress to the next level, and I would like to think that the reason most of us feel guilt and pain from sin is because of our love for Christ.

It’s about progress, not perfection.

 

[redrosetea]

It sounds like you are sincere in your attempts to lead a chaste life…good for you

It is just sort of hard to see someone wearing a rosary, for many of us…I was taught you never did this…it seems like so many are now wearing them for fashion ,that it makes everyone suspect,t I guess

I think you should wear it inside your shirt ,next to your heart, so the Blessed Mother knows you are doing it to be close to God, and not for a fashion statement

It was very hard to watch someone dancing and prancing around on AI wearing a rosary…I am almost positive he didn’t wear it so it was right there when he wanted to recite it…it left a very bad taste in my mouth

Good luck to you

 

[Spiller]

Because of Madonna and a few others, the rosary as jewelry sends exactly the opposite message of what the OP intends.

I say get a nice crucifix. It won’t be mis-interpreted, and will be sufficient to the cause, if you want it to be-- bear in mind that these things are not magic, it still comes down to your free will.

Excellent advice!

 

[Timothysis]

Sin is not something that can be avoided by will power, to believe it can be is to join the ranks of Pelegius and other heretics. Also it worth noting that the most grievous sins we committee are the sins we committee in our own minds, particularly the sins of judgment and condemnation.

You seem to be judging peoples situations without knowing the first thing about them. Myself for example. I was in a sexual relationship before I converted to Catholicism with a girl I am very much in love with. Now we have embraced a chaste relationship but it is all to easy to fall, especially when you have experienced the joy of expressing love in such a unitive way and now cannot do so with that same person you used to before. It is certainly not a smile and a wink situation, it is a yearning to show true love for each other in a way you used to do. In these situations, when you can be overwhelmed by emotion and your motive is purely love it is all to easy to forget the Sacrament you are waiting for.

Quite simply because the Sacrament is not there for those that are perfect but those who are wayward. To be in sin and to feel, or sometimes even be told, that you shouldn’t ‘dare’ approach the Lord for forgiveness and grace is an awful thing indeed. You are suggesting that we should not go to confession if we have committed a mortal sin, given that you have to be in full knowledge that you are sinning to commit one. It is the sick that need a doctor, not the healthy. In your sentence above your effectively implying that you can only be forgiven for venial sins, not mortal. If that is the case Heaven will be empty.

They are not magical charms but they are ways of deepening our relationship with the Lord. They will not keep us away from sin by their intrinsic nature but by having them on our person we can be reminded of the grace the Lord has poured out for us and we may choose to accept it rather than deny it.

This is frankly just offensive.

Firstly, what right does any member of this forum have to suggest someone should change their devotional practices, especially if they are not against the Churches teaching.

Secondly, assuming this comment was aimed at me as you are quoting me in your post, where in my post have I implied I only say the rosary when temptation calls. Prayer life should not be a public affair but in this situation I think it is worth pointing out that I pray the rosary each day either before a statue of our Lady I have in my room or before the Blessed Sacrament if I can get to it; I can assure you that I am very rarely in temptation during my periods of rosary prayer.

To finish I would strongly suggest that you hang fire on criticizing how other people deal with sin; on implying to people that they shouldn’t go to confession if they have committed a mortal sin; and also you might want to hang back on the judging people concerning when and why they pray.

Good grief, man. Why don’t you just say “the devil made me do it!” You’ll notice that I’m relatively new to the site by I would never have guessed that people on a Catholic website could be so wishy-washy about sin, occasions of sin and the consequences they entail.

I perfectly realize that nobody is perfect and I’m perfectly aware of the necessity of confession. However, to suggest that sins against chastity (and I’m assuming we’re talking about sex outside of marriage) are things that “just” happen and we resolve them by running to confession at the next possible opportunity seems to be a dangerous position. I wonder what a priest would say to a person who said they cut sex with their girlfriend short so they could make it to confession???

"This is frankly just offensive."

To say “I only pray when I’m tempted” sounds very much like those who only pray to God when something goes wrong in their life and expect the Almighty to snap His divine finger and make all things ok.

And finally, the “quit judging others” bit gets old very quick. I’m not judging anyone; I’m only saying what we all know without the whitewash.

 

[Seatuck]

Why not wear a Chastity-Purity Ring instead? You can take a pledge too.