Wearing rosaries as a necklace -- Gang affiliation -- Please Pray for our cities

[joshdd]

I have spent much time out and about in the inner city here in the last two years and have noticed a great many people wearing rosaries! On the outside this looks ok, but upon questioning many I have learned that most are not Catholic and also have no idea how to use it. A small amount of googling will show that this type of wear can be gang related.

Others are wearing them because they are fashionable right now in areas with gang affiliations. I have noticed a great many men wearing a handful (maybe 5 or 6) of the plastic ones at a time of various colors and like colored “candy” (wrist bracelets of colored beads, so called because of their resemblance to candy necklaces and bracelets) the colors can signify something.

Recently the parish that I attend is saying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy everyday at 3PM and they have a large box of cards sitting out with Jesus on the front with the “Jesus I Trust in You” and on the back how to say the chaplet of divine mercy on the rosary along with a recommendation to say it daily at 3PM.

I have taken it upon myself to hand out as many of these cards to people in the community as possible. Especially to those I see wearing multiple rosaries as a statement of fashion or something else entirely. Generally I ask them if they would like one of these business card sized cards with the picture of Jesus on one side and then tell them that the back contains the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayer and suggest that they use their rosary to pray it at 3PM if possible or anytime for that matter.

Some people have turned me down flat out and I think that says a lot about why they are wearing a rosary but I have handed out over 75 cards so far and have about that many more.

Please pray for me as I continue to approach strangers about this and pray that they will be moved to accept the cards. Even more of a blessing that they should be moved to pray the chaplet of divine mercy themselves.

Please pray also for the St. Martin of Tours Parish church in Louisville, KY for providing these cards and if you pray the chaplet of divine mercy at 3PM please think about them. Cards are available at DivineMercyArt

May the Lord bless and keep you! Amen
-Joshua D.

 

[Irishmom2]

Perhaps you should leave the ones that are in church and order your own to pass out.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Others are wearing them because they are fashionable right now in areas with gang affiliations. I have noticed a great many men wearing a handful (maybe 5 or 6) of the plastic ones at a time of various colors and like colored “candy” (wrist bracelets of colored beads, so called because of their resemblance to candy necklaces and bracelets) the colors can signify something.

In Switzerland, during the reformation, people would wear rosaries to show their loyalty to the Church. Not everyone who does that is in a gang, and your problem is trusting the internet. Maybe you can explain to people what the rosaries are for.

 

[joshdd]

I understand your concern. I’m talking about having been homeless myself and living on the street recently. I don’t actually ask what they’re wearing it for or judge them. I just thought the Chaplet of Divine Mercy cards would be a good way to get people involved in prayer who may or may not otherwise be. For sure people who I’ve given them to with rosaries are more likely to take one.

I’m just trying to spread the message.
God bless!

 

[joshdd]

Yes I think I will do that. Actually I might buy some how to say the rosary pamphlets too. The best place to eat here is the Franciscan Kitchen and they give them out as well as teach people to pray the rosary every tuesday (I think).