Religious Jewellery: Is It Jewellery?

[MarysLittleFlower]

I've been thinking about religious jewellery recently: such as wearing a crucifix, a discernment ring (I saw the thread ), or if a nun wears a ring, or wearing medals, Rosary rings/bracelets, etc. Do you think that this is classified as jewellery, or is it only this if a person wears it for decoration? What if they wear it for devotion? When does it become wrong/undevotional?

And does anyone have any thoughts on someone wearing a gold crucifix/medals though they are trying to live more simply, just because it was a gift?

I have a gold chain with a crucifix (and 2 medals), it was a gift from my family. I tend to wear it underneath my shirt though, and I wear them as sacramentals - they are blessed or touched to relics. I've also been thinking of wearing a Rosary bracelet but I'm trying to see if my motive here is to pray the Rosary or just because it's a pretty object hmmm Somehow I don't count "True Devotion to Mary" "little chain" bracelets/rings because they are recommended in the book, I also don't count scapulars. But any thoughts about religious "jewellery"?

The reason I'm asking here and not in the general forum is because I'm trying to simplify my life to help in discernment but I'm a little stuck on this.

thanks

[nikita92]

From my perspective...because everything you mentioned..rings, bracelets, necklaces are all offered in religious catalogs and listed under Jewelry" with options that range from plain and simple,to ornate and intricate...cheap metal,precious metal...as long as it serves the purpose..maybe to say a quick hail Mary or just a visual reminder of your faith...then why not? I mean..even the Pope wears a ring...and Mother Angelica of the PCPA wears a rosary bracelet. If touching your necklace,(while around your neck) brings about positive thoughts and feelings...to me...that is a GOOD thing! Nothing wrong with that. It is what you make it. Wearing a simple chain and cross...isnt going to compromise your intention of how you want to live your life. I have a wooden bead rosary bracelet made by religious sisters. Buy purchasing it..I helped them out. If I feel inclined to say a hail Mary I do. If not...it is a great reminder..Dont over think it.

[Pax_et bonum]

I wear a Miraculous Medal and a medal of St. Br. Andre with a relic on the back; wearing them is a prayer for me. As I randomly touch or hold them throughout the day, that is a wordless prayer whether or not I'm consciously thinking about it. I wear a Rosary bracelet (twine) and ring for the practical reason that I always have a Rosary, and a spare for someone else, if I don't have my full Rosary. It's also a subconscious prayer--I especially like to hold the knotted cross on the bracelet--but it's largely practical.

I don't think you should feel bad about wearing a gold crucifix outside your shirt. It's more of a reminder to me when I wear my necklace where I can touch it, and maybe it reminds others too. I wear my brown scapular under my shirt and often forget about it, except when it tries to choke me, because I can't touch or see it. Your family will like to see you wear their gift. If you feel drawn to wearing a Rosary bracelet, then do it! If you're questioning your motives, get a simple one made of twine or wooden beads.

[catherineofsiena]

In the UK we were asked by Cardinal O'Brien to wear a cross and a witness of our faith to others.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

Most religious I know wear some type of jewelry. All wear wedding rings (except one sister who is a massage therapist and is unable to due to her work), some wear cross earrings (we're talking nonhabited sisters here). All wear watches. All of them also wear some sort of cross or saint medal (or both!). They are very simple, and by the cross you can tell what religious community the sisters are a part of.

I always wear a watch, usually earrings, my great grandma's ring, and either a Saint Catherine Labouré medal or the eye of Saint Lucie (a Corsican tradition and St lucie is the patron of eyes, martyrs, and by extension against unwanted male attention). As always, moderation is key. Many of these things--like a religious medal or ring or something--show your devotion to your faith. just don't get crazy!

[AccountDeleted]

I wear a crucifix necklace and the ring that commemorate my private vows (it is a simple silver band I wear on my middle finger of the left hand). It has the inscription Sponsa Christi and the date I made the vows on the inside and it has been blessed.

Apart from that I am not big into jewellery. I sometimes wear simple studs as I have pierced ears but it doesn't bother me not to wear them and my ears never seem to close over. In the convent I wear only the crucifix and the ring but will take off the crucifx when clothed, and will ask Mother about the ring, as Carmelites do not wear rings usually.

I can't see anything wrong with wearing religious jewellery if it isn't done irreverantly (I hate to see the Crucifix worn as a fashion statement) but I would keep it simple and tasteful.

[Suscipe]

It's a really interesting question!

I suppose I've never thought about a Nun or Sister's ring as being jewellery, as such, in the same way that a wedding ring isn't. And, like LaPetiteSouer, most non-habited Religious I know all wear a cross or crucifix that identifies which Order they belong to. That to me isn't jewellery either. When they wear a necklace or broach with something other than said cross or crucifix, then it becomes jewellery - but I do know some Srs who would wear a necklace occasionally. Ditto broaches, if simple. I know a Sr who frequently wears a Decade ring, mainly because she's pretty elderly, and has a habit of leaving down her rosary...

I get really riled by the fashion bracelets with images Our Lady and the Saints, especially when I see them worn by people who have no devotion to the person(s) identified in the image. And, like nonsense, the Crucifix worn as a fashion statement is a no.

For myself, I simply wear a plain, light, chain, with a small, simple cross and a medallion of Ven. Catherine McAuley. Inside or outside my clothing, depending what I'm wearing and what I'm doing.

I think in terms of simplifying life due to discernment, providing you're not weighing yourself down with things, it's all about state of mind. If I wear this prayerfully, then good - if I wear this because I want people to see that I'm discerning... not so good!

Blessings,

[Suscipe]

Can't quite figure out how to edit - just read back over my post - I meant nunsense, not nonsense - I have a determinedly un-Catholic, un-humorous spellcheck... Apologies!