passerby Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Hi all, One of my friends attended a final vow ceremony and she said that the sisters got rings...but that they wore it on their right hand. Does anyone know why? Is it up to a community or could they choose to wear it on the left? I would have thought they'd wear it on the left hand because it was their wedding day. Thanks! BJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antigonos Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I don't know that there is any particular symbolism involved. It is traditional in the US to wear one's wedding ring on the left hand, but Europeans commonly wear them on the right hand [I do too, but that's because it's more comfortable -- I'm left-handed] If the order or community originated in Europe, it might just be the custom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AveMariaPurissima Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I remember hearing a Sister mention that her community wears their profession rings on the right hand to signify that it's a spiritual marriage. Maybe that has something to do with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I think some do, but other keep to the right hand because they are European in origin (and I think even their ceremonials said to put it on the right hand). Also, you get the orders that don't wear rings at all - like just about all Discalced Carmelites, their black veils is their symbol of final profession (Terre Haute seems to be an exception to this, they receive rings as well). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sister Leticia Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 In my congregation we generally follow the wedding ring custom of the country we're in, so for us in the UK that means wearing our profession rings on our left hand. However, we are free to choose, and some sisters have opted for their right hand for personal reasons. Likewise, some of our continental sisters (where wedding rings are worn on the right hand) have opted for their left hand. But whichever finger we wear them on, our rings mean a great deal to us, just as they do to married women. When one of my sisters had an accident a few years ago and dislocated her ring finger, she pulled her ring off straightaway even though it hurt more to do so. She knew her finger was starting to swell, which meant her ring would have to be cut off her finger, and that would have been more painful in a different way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatitude Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 In my congregation we generally follow the wedding ring custom of the country we're in, so for us in the UK that means wearing our profession rings on our left hand. However, we are free to choose, and some sisters have opted for their right hand for personal reasons. Likewise, some of our continental sisters (where wedding rings are worn on the right hand) have opted for their left hand. Which is your community, Sister? :) It's nice to have UK religious on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 This is interesting. In my congregation, some Sisters wear their ring on their right hand, and others on their left. It could be a European custom, but I've seen it also in other communities in which all Sisters are Australian. Maybe it's also personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antigonos Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Which is your community, Sister? :) It's nice to have UK religious on here. Dare I hope that Leticia Crucis has rejoined us??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Sure looks like it to me. :yahoo: Since she is signing on as a Noob she couldn't PM anyone.. I will send her an email right now to check. However, since it's Sunday, I may not hear back right away. Keep you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Maybe, maybe not - the poster joined in July. Whoever she is: Hello Sister! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Maybe, maybe not - the poster joined in July. Whoever she is: Hello Sister! :( I didn't even think to check the date this poster joined. Well, I sent an email to Laetitia Crucis anyway. She already knows I'm clueless, so at least she won't be surprised. :paperbag: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Okay, now I feel even more stupid (if that's possible). I closely checked the photos on the Web site of the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph (the Community to which Laetitia Crucis/Sister Mary Catherine belongs). In most of the photos, the Sisters keep their hands under their scapulars, but based on two pictures, the perpetually professed Sisters in the Community wear their rings on their right hands. BTW--The Summit Dominicans also wear their Solemn Profession rings on their right hands. It's been a busy time for the Summit Dominicans, but I hope Sister Mary Catharine has time to see this thread and answer the question for her Community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherie Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 My former community also wears the ring on the right hand. They said they did so as a way to show they are "counter-cultural" (as the cultural custom in the USA is to wear it on the left hand) and are not "of the world," that they are not married in an earthly, worldly sense, but in a spiritual one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 I doubt that that is sr laeticia crucis because she hasnt used one single emote :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Good to see you back around here vee. That is interesting about the rings. I had never really noticed that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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