I once had a hard time restraining myself from viciously and publicly dressing down a young woman I saw at the mall in low-rise jeans, tight-fitting low-cut tank top and a rosary dangling in her cleavage. She looked Hispanic, which means the odds are pretty good that she came from a Catholic family and knew better than to wear the rosary in such a disrespectful fashion.
I know it’s a custom among Mexicans to wear the rosary as a sign of devotion, and for easy access in case of “prayer emergency”.
I wear mine to remind myself that I’m a Christian and therefore expected to behave in a Christlike manner (I do occasionally fall on my tuckus, but not as frequently as I did before I started “advertising” my Catholicism), and for easy access in case of “prayer emergency.” I keep it tucked inside my clothing, but the beads are still visible above my collar. In addition, I feel that wearing it is more respectful than keeping it in my pocket with my Swiss Army knife, loose change, housekeys, Trader Joe’s receipt- in other words, my
junk.
I also think there’s a protective aspect to it (if the icon of the Blessed Mother and the corner shelf with statue of same, large metal cross and bottle of holy water aren’t enough). I’m a massage therapist- in Las Vegas, no less- and I think it sends a pretty clear message to clients who might want certain, uh, extra services that they aren’t going to get
that from me, so don’t bother asking.
