Question for Catholics

[dukedogsmom]

I didn't know where to ask this and haven't wanted to ask anyone in person. I am Baptist. I found a Rosary I really liked a few years ago and I made it into a necklace. Now, I haven't worn it much because I got to thinking that maybe the Catholic people would be insulted and consider it sort of blasphemous. Can anyone tell me what they think? I don't want to upset anyone. I would like to wear it more often but haven't because I really didn't know.

[sirrahbed]

Very good question! I also have my mother's rosary and it is very beautiful - sterling silver. She died in 2001. I read about how the rosary is prayed here and it is very interesting. I am a Lutheran Christian and do not use repetitive prayer but still found the explanation of interest. I have never considered wearing it as a necklace but would also like to know if this would be considered offensive.

[the gryphon]

I'm an atheist, so I don't have an opinion, nor knowledge on the subject. But...food for thought. If I wore a Christian cross as ornamental jewelry would it be considered offensive?

If a non-jew wears a star of david as jewelry?

Not trying to start a fight, just trying to offer up more context. (and I dont know what the answer is to the questions I just asked )

[sirrahved]

If I saw someone wearing a rosary, I'd assume they were Catholic. If I saw someone wearing a cross or crucifix I would assume they were Christian. If I saw someone wearing a star of David, I'd assume they were Jewish.

You said you altered the rosary... how did you do that? Can you still tell it's a rosary? Or does it look like a necklace? Either way... I can't see anyone getting offended.

[Soledad]

As a former Catholic, yes it is considered blasphemous to wear a rosary as a necklace. So if you are concerned about offending Catholics you should know that wearing it as jewelry is considered demeaning to its true purpose.

[the gryphon]

Originally posted by sirrahved
If I saw someone wearing a rosary, I'd assume they were Catholic. If I saw someone wearing a cross or crucifix I would assume they were Christian. If I saw someone wearing a star of David, I'd assume they were Jewish.

You said you altered the rosary... how did you do that? Can you still tell it's a rosary? Or does it look like a necklace? Either way... I can't see anyone getting offended.

If you knew me to be an atheist would your opinion be different if you saw me wearing a cross? I think this is an important distinction.

[dukedogsmom]

I didn't alter it at all. I just hooked it together with the wire loops that are with the beads. Gryphon, I, myself, wouldn't be upset.

[CathyBogart]

I can't offer any insight really....but I see a lot of people wearing pentacles and it doesn't really bother me, even if I know the person isn't pagan.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by Soledad
As a former Catholic, yes it is considered blasphemous to wear a rosary as a necklace. So if you are concerned about offending Catholics you should know that wearing it as jewelry is considered demeaning to its true purpose.

I think Soledad has made the real distinction here. The cross, crucifix, pentacle, star of David, etc are often used as jewelry. The rosary is NOT jewelry - it is a special object used for prayer. I suspected that it would never be used as jewelry - even though it does appear to be something like a necklace with the circular design and beads.

[dukedogsmom]

I did a search for Rosaries as necklaces and found a few sites. This is just one of them. http://www.marysprayersrosaries.com/...y.asp?CatID=68
So according to these sites, it's ok. Now I'm confused.

[Soledad]

Dukedogsmom, since that site is selling rosary necklaces, I wouldn't take them to be a good source on whether or not it's okay since they profit from it being so.

That said, those necklaces on the site look similar to rosaries but they do not look exactly like one. I'm not sure what the protocol would be for that.

I have to say that the few times I've seen people wear rosaries as necklaces I've found it to just look really dumb as though they didn't understand what they were for.

[moosmom]

I have a set of rosary that belonged to my grandmother. They were imported from italy and have beautiful crystals on them. I have very fond memories of her praying with them in church every Sunday. I never thought of wearing them as a necklace. So I keep them in a special box. I feel it's kind of a waste since they have such sentimental meaning to me. I'd LIKE to wear them but not sure if it is appropriate. They are very beautiful and I think that keeping them stored defeats the purpose.

[Soledad]

Moosmom, you could restring them into a regular necklace. That way you'd have a bit of your grandmother with you always.

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
I didn't know where to ask this and haven't wanted to ask anyone in person. I am Baptist. I found a Rosary I really liked a few years ago and I made it into a necklace. Now, I haven't worn it much because I got to thinking that maybe the Catholic people would be insulted and consider it sort of blasphemous.

wear it.

you are not desecrating it, not are you using it in a demeaning way.
People find beauty in things all the time.

As a sometime motorcycle rider I see people who use the old 'coal scuttle' WWII german style helmets to get around the
helmet laws her in California....does it bother me? Yes......but who am I to tell someone how to dress?

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by moosmom
I have a set of rosary that belonged to my grandmother. They were imported from italy and have beautiful crystals on them. I have very fond memories of her praying with them in church every Sunday. I never thought of wearing them as a necklace. So I keep them in a special box. I feel it's kind of a waste since they have such sentimental meaning to me. I'd LIKE to wear them but not sure if it is appropriate. They are very beautiful and I think that keeping them stored defeats the purpose.

I guess I am where you are Moosmom, having my mom's rosary. It is gorgeous! Sterling silver and just exquisite. So, I have it displayed on a lace handkerchief and draped over the leather box that she kept it in. Could you find some similar way to display them? Maybe drape them over a picture? 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.

Soledad: your restringing idea - that might work for moosmom with the pretty crystals - but mine are not strung - they are hooked together at the medals with little hooks and latches. I just would not want to use just the beads anyway - I love the whole rosary with cross, chain, medals, etc. Good idea though!