Question for Catholics

[Soledad]

I just do not feel right wearing them, because it is NOT a necklace. You know? Kinda like wearing a flag or something. The rosary was never intended to be worn - that is just my thinking.

That's a great analogy.

I, too, have created a little shrine like corner with my mother's rosary. I think it's beautiful.

[chocolatepuppy]

As a Catholic I will tell you the rosary was not meant to be worn. Maybe some of the suggestions the others gave will be helpful as to what you could do with it.

[moosmom]

My Nanny's rosary are also linked together by metal loops. I actually keep them in a box with my cat Casey's (RB 2002)ashes. I wear a gold cross around my neck right now that I never take off. I just don't if I want to restring them and wear them. I sort of like them in their original condition. BTW, I also have her prayer book that she used to take to church with her EVERY Sunday, along with me .

[Tonya]

I am not Catholic, so I don't really have an answer. But I just wanted to tell you that I've read this thread a few times thinking it said "Question for Cataholic". I was wondering why she knew so much about rosaries and why she hadn't answered yet. lol.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by Tonya
I've read this thread a few times thinking it said "Question for Cataholic". I was wondering why she knew so much about rosaries and why she hadn't answered yet. lol.

LOL! So did I!

[tatsxxx11]

Me too I'm not Catholic (or Cataholic) so I'm not one qualified, I suppose, to comment on the question. But my gut feeling is that if whatever you choose to do is decided upon with love and respect, I believe God would approve. Perhaps you could wear it in rememberance of someone you held dear to your heart.

[Soledad]

Originally posted by tatsxxx11
But my gut feeling is that if whatever you choose to do is decided upon with love and respect, I believe God would approve. Perhaps you could wear it in rememberance of someone you held dear to your heart.

Definitely! But would other Catholics approve?

Moosmom, I think that if anyone had a problem with you wearing that rosary in honor of your Nanny they'd certainly have to take a good look at what's important in life.

[RICHARD]

I'll toss in the x factor.....

A rosary is merely a symbol of and it's not considered a 'religious symbol' until it's blessed by a priest...

Like the communion wafer and wine in the religious service, it's
merely 'ordinary' until the priest gets his hands on it.

[Rachel]

The question was asked and from the answers, if this were my dilemma, I think I would chose not to wear it in public. I really like the idea of displaying it repectfully in your home.

[tatsxxx11]

After some thought, I've reconsidered...Keep it safe and treasure it

[Barbara]

I am brought up catholic and I agree to everything Soledad said: if you care about what a faithful catholic thinks you shouldn't wear it- it would be offensive. And the comparison with wearing a flag seems a good one for me

[Cataholic]

LOL...I was thinking, "why would questions for me be in the dog house?" Then, I saw the questions being asked, and I was like, "Why would someone ask me (a non-cath) about rosarys?".
Finally, I stopped thinking of ONLY myself, and figured the whole thing out.

Now that I am "with it"...I agree with Soledad...he he he. And, since she is catholic (and would like to be cataholic, too), I figure it is a safe bet.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I too was raised Catholic. When I see Madonna or the like wearing a rosary as jewelry I cringe. Like if I wore a yamulke (Jewish skull cap) as fashion.

Recently a friend of mine told me of a Carmelite Convent here (Carmelites are a cloistered order.) She had taken roses from her mother's funeral and the nuns make rosary beads from the rose petals. So rosaries can be very personal.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
LOL! So did I!

Ditto!

I don't know much about religion because I really choose not to have a religion... we go to church about once a year if we're lucky...

[gini]

I too, think it would be a sign of disrespect. People would assume that you were completely unaware of the religious significance of a rosary - and would wonder why.

It just isn't a piece of jewelry - no matter how beautifully they are made.