Rosary Necklaces Keep Throwing Me Off!

[Luigi]

can anyone answer as to why if the Rosary was never intended to be worn around the neck, why it is thus made to such a length so that it could be worn around ones neck ?

 

You're thinking of the everyday five-decade rosary. The full rosary is 15 decades and that's never worn around the neck - it would be way too big. Dominicans and other religious orders wear it from the belt.

 

There are also finger rosaries - 1-decade rings that were created in Ireland at the time of the religious persecutions. That way, people could pray the rosary rather secretly.

 

I think the neck sized rosary you're thinking of just evolved among the people. Traditionally it's been packaged in a little pouch of some sort.

[Nihil Obstat]

What if you wear it as a necklace but also for the reminder it brings when you play with (rub and handle) the cross?

Imo that does not constitute wearing it as a necklace. Around the neck != necklace.

[anglefire]

I have seen people wear rosary necklaces. They actually sell them in Christian bookstores. A couple of years ago when some of the kids received first communion there were several girls that were wearing them. They were quite beautiful. But I was also taught you are not suppose to wear the rosary especially one that has been blessed.

[Nihil Obstat]

I have seen people wear rosary necklaces. They actually sell them in Christian bookstores. A couple of years ago when some of the kids received first communion there were several girls that were wearing them. They were quite beautiful. But I was also taught you are not suppose to wear the rosary especially one that has been blessed.

Many people have been taught that, but it has no basis in tradition.

[truthfinder]

In the 1600s, missionaries did indeed give rosaries to be worn around the neck. Obviously this was not seen as jewelry (at least by the missionaries).  In some cases, it actually was dangerous for the convert to so publicly announce their new beliefs.

 

I think the 'prohibition' of sorts of wearing rosaries as necklaces is the twofold lack of respect by those who usually do this (although in charity we should assume the best) and the usage as a gang identification in some parts. 

[cartermia]

I wear a rope Rosary around my wrist. It is yellow and goes with most of my outfits besides my school uniform.

[brandelynmarie]

In the 1600s, missionaries did indeed give rosaries to be worn around the neck. Obviously this was not seen as jewelry (at least by the missionaries). In some cases, it actually was dangerous for the convert to so publicly announce their new beliefs.

Here is a weird thought. What if the rosaries were placed around their necks because not everyone had pockets. It would be an easy way to keep the sacramental with a person. And it could have been a way for the missionaries to replace occult/fetish necklaces...just thinking outloud.... Edited July 14, 2014 by brandelynmarie

[CatherineM]

My Dad wore a rosary around his neck during WWII. It survived a couple of plane crashes and some POW time. Not bad for a rosary from 1814.

[CrossCuT]

I used to think that wearing a rosary as a necklace was disrespectful now Im cool beans with it. At least they are wearing a rosary instead of something gross or inappropriate...and worst case scenario maybe Mary will do some cool stuff for them. 

[Nihil Obstat]

I have at times regularly worn a rosary under my shirt. I am not right now in the habit, because I found it was mostly getting tangled with my scapular, and the links were being damaged over time. I especially like, when wearing it, that I can always feel it. The beads were large enough that I could never forget it was there. I found that very useful.

[truthfinder]

Here is a weird thought. What if the rosaries were placed around their necks because not everyone had pockets. It would be an easy way to keep the sacramental with a person. And it could have been a way for the missionaries to replace occult/fetish necklaces...just thinking outloud....

You're absolutely correct as to the reasons. At the same time, if wearing rosaries was objectively wrong, these missionaries would not have spread the practice of wearing them. There are also instances of ceertain religious orders wearing rosaries around their neck as part of their habit. I can try and find the paintings later.

[brandelynmarie]

That would be very :joecool:

[truthfinder]

The most common ones are the Mexican crowned nuns - such as this Dominican of Jesus and Mary.

[truthfinder]

Not necessarily part of the habit, but this sister is wearing a rosary around her neck

[truthfinder]

There's an order of sisters I've seen, but now can't find.  But here's a picture of the White Fathers, clearly with rosary necklaces