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Religious Life And Tattoos


Kayte Postle

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Alrighty this is a question that has been gnawing at my brain for quite some time now, so here goes. What is the practice with someone who has a tattoo and is wanting to enter a community? Does it matter where it might be located (i.e. one that would be covered by the habit/postulant outfit)? or Do they always have to be removed?

I personally don't have a tattoo, but again this question has been bugging me for awhile. =)

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ChristinaTherese

I'm pretty sure I saw a monk at Mount Angel Abbey (a benedictine monastery relatively near my home) with a bunch of tattoos on his arm. They were in a place that would normally be covered by his habit, though. (He was working just then and either the sleeve had fallen down or he wasn't wearing his habit or (likely) both. (The monks there don't wear their habits when they're working.)) But I don't know anything about common practice.

Edited by Christina Thérèse
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When I was about to enter my former community I told the superior that I have a few tattoos and she said that I wasn't the first one and that was the end of it. Mine are in places that are covered by clothing except on my ankle.
Of course when some of the kids I taught saw my tattoo on my ankle they were like "Sister you have a tattoo!" When they saw it I tried not to make a big deal out of it.

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We had a friar with tattoos all up the inside of his arm. The superior asked him to look into getting rid of them. He went to the doctor, and the doctor CARVED them out with a scalpal (they where chinese characters)!!!

Personally i think this may have been an example of heroic obedience!!! :bravo:


However, as long as the tatto is not visible, it is not normally an issue.

[color=#000080][size=5][font=comic sans ms,cursive]AVE MARIA![/font][/size][/color]

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We had a friar with tattoos all up the inside of his arm. The superior asked him to look into getting rid of them. He went to the doctor, and the doctor CARVED them out with a scalpal (they where chinese characters)!!!

Personally i think this may have been an example of heroic obedience!!! :bravo:


However, as long as the tatto is not visible, it is not normally an issue.

[color=#000080][size=5][font=comic sans ms,cursive]AVE MARIA![/font][/size][/color]

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[quote name='Egidio' timestamp='1349970217' post='2492311']
He went to the doctor, and the doctor CARVED them out with a scalpal (they where chinese characters)!!!
[/quote]
Yikes. Today I learned that this is a thing that happens. I literally winced when I read that.

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I visited a community where more than a sister had visible tattoos even if very small.
It wouldn't be an issue for me since I litterally hate tattoos (sorry for different opinions)

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My priest friend got a tattoo after he was ordained, and yes, he's a priest in a religious community. I've met a friar who told us he has tattoos up and down his arms, but they're covered by his habit. And my pastor has a tattoo from before he entered, I believe. It doesn't seem like it would generally be a problem especially if you wouldn't normally see it.

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I visited a community & informed her that I have a tattoo & she said it was fine as long as it doesn't show. Someone asked me the other day "What do you have there on your arm?" In reply I said to him, "A mistake!" He said that he has a mistake too & showed me a spot on his arm that was smeared & you couldn't tell what it was anymore. They end up being ugly & become regrets. I will have mine removed.

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I almost forgot! Sr. Faith has tattoos

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1315335564' post='2301169']
I have 3 tattoos and 17 piercings, most now closed up. 2 of the tats are religious and are for me an outward expression and reminder of the faith I profess.
[/quote]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1313785141' post='2291468']
I have 2 religious themed tatts - a Japanese (I think!) symbol for Faith on my ankle
[img]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/ruthbale/002-1.jpg[/img]
and Ps88v13 in Paleo Hebrew on my arm.
[img]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/ruthbale/002.jpg[/img]
[/quote]

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LaPetiteSoeur

My priest friend has two tattoos. One is on his ankle and had the first letter of an old girlfriend's name; thankfully his first name starts with the same letter!
The second is on his arm and it has the names of children he worked with who died. He used to work to bring children from Eastern Europe to the US for heart transplants, and the ones he couldn't save he remembers with a visual reminder.
A novice for the CSJs that I know has a dove carrying an olive branch on her wrist. Her watch hides most of it, but it's not an issue either.

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