I feel for the young man and his loss, yet even if for the wrong reason, the school is correct in asking the young man to remove the Rosary Beads. I teach in a CATHOLIC SCHOOL, and we do NOT allow the wearing of Rosary Beads. They are NOT an adornment. They are to be used for prayer and prayer alone and it is against the teachings of the Catholic Church to wear them. That said, unfortunately, they have become a gang symbol for many local hoods. Either way, we do NOT allow it. I’m sure the school on question is doing this based strictly on political correctness and the bogus notion of the separation of church and state, but however inadvertant, they are actually right.
citation please?
“I feel for the young man and his loss, yet even if for the wrong reason, the school is correct in asking the young man to remove the Rosary Beads. I teach in a CATHOLIC SCHOOL, and we do NOT allow the wearing of Rosary Beads. They are NOT an adornment. They are to be used for prayer and prayer alone and it is against the teachings of the Catholic Church to wear them. That said, unfortunately, they have become a gang symbol for many local hoods. Either way, we do NOT allow it. I’m sure the school on question is doing this based strictly on political correctness and the bogus notion of the separation of church and state, but however inadvertant, they are actually right.”
Well said.
“That said, unfortunately, they have become a gang symbol for many local hoods.”
Could you give any sources? Not that I am at all familiar with the world of Big Sh*tty, Urban Feral habitat and the assorted, sordid, denizens therein. I am just somewhat surprised that social predators would use a religious symbol as an insignia.
Two years ago, I went to a wake of a friend of mine, who had just past. He was big into ocean fishing, having a cabin boat. When he was laid out, he was dressed with having both a tee-shirt and Hawaiian shirt. I was surprised that the family not only a rosary together in his hands, but had a larger rosary put around his neck. The later really, really took me by surprise.
That's not entirely true. Dominican nuns wear a rosary as part of their habit, but it's worn around their waist as a belt, not around their neck. (It's a very large rosary, not an ordinary one.)
But it's not jewelry, and it's not a necklace, and this kid is not a Dominican, so ...
BINGO!
That is what I was taught in Catholic school back in the 50's. Of course, that was before Vatican II, so I'm not sure what today's rules are.
Thank God for your post. Of course, a rosary is not to be worn as adornment! Here in Texas, the only ones wearing rosaries are the little gangbangers.
The ignorant comments on this thread are unbelievable.
Code of Canon Law 1171
A fine way to expand the symbolism of the beads is to let them remind us of our many relationships, of the bond of communion and fraternity which unites us all in Christ.
APOSTOLIC LETTER
ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY AND FAITHFUL
ON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
For the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, the Rosary is listed in our Constitutions as an official part of our habit
From their website
Well!....Gee! ....I was taught by St. Joseph and IHM nuns and they wore their rosaries ( very visible) on their belts. The rosaries were so long they were a mere few inches from the floor.
So?...why are you assuming that this young man is not using his rosary for reasons of prayer?