Here is a larger image for those who can't see that one. 
Pray for our Coptic brothers and sisters. They are being persecuted by Muslims in Egypt and throughout North Africa.
Posted on 09/16/2008 7:36:27 AM PDT by Kaslin
A Texas teen claims she is forbidden from wearing a rosary around her neck in school because the prayer beads are a gang symbol, MyFOXDFW.com reported.
Tabitha Ruiz was stopped by security guards at Seagoville High School in Dallas last week and told to take off the silver and ruby beaded rosary, a gift from her mother. On Monday, the same thing happened when she again came to the school wearing the beads.
"I went to school, walked through the metal detectors and they told me to take it off," the teen told MyFOXDFW.com. "I asked them why and they said because it's gang-related."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
You’re right, it shouldn’t. And apparently it is in use as a gang identifier. Wear a Miraculous Medal, and keep the rosary in your purse.
Well, maybe it shouldn’t be considered as jewelry, but the consider a rosary a gang symbol? Really? Is the Catholic church a gang? Or do real gangs use a rosary, and maybe I’m just living under a rock and don’t know what’s happening in the world?
Worn or held in one’s hand, it amounts to the same thing.
Those darn Knights of Columbus are recruiting young aren’t they. I hear they are hooking young kids on communion wine and wafers. :->
Example at http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:3sT3VGXk8VC8JM:http://img1.photographersdirect.com/img/23214/pd1606488_s.jpg
You haven't heard of the Southern Catholic Women's Group for Prayer and Combat? If you hear a woman in a long dress with a lot of kids say, "Bless your heart," be afraid ... very afraid.
But seriously, Mexican and Central American gangs are wearing rosaries as regalia (or whatever they call it). I think the focus on gang symbols is simply a smokescreen to cover the state's refusal to put criminals in jail, but that's a separate issue.
Make that “refuse to put criminals in jail or DEPORT them.”
Catholic ping.
In Egypt, Moslems attack Christians and flay the cross tattoos - generally on the arm - off. The girl in your picture looks Ethiopian or Eritrean, but the way things are going over there, she might want to consider a voluminous headcovering. Or long bangs.
Here is a larger image for those who can't see that one.
Pray for our Coptic brothers and sisters. They are being persecuted by Muslims in Egypt and throughout North Africa.
“...gang identifier.’
Yeah, Gods gang.
Real gangs use rosaries worn around the neck as gang symbols.
I've never known a devout Catholic to wear a rosary as jewelry, however.
Amen and bump that.
Exactly...a rosary is not jewelry. She should know better.
No, but it’s quite possible it’s been co-opted by a gang. Bandanas aren’t inherently evil, but they were considered gang wear where I taught. Even teachers weren’t allowed to wear them.
susie
It’s true - the rosary which these young kids are wearing now has nothing to do with praying. I saw a young man in his 20’s at blockbuster wearing one around his neck and it took everything in me to not give him a lecture on how he was making a religious symbol to many Catholics blasphemy (I have also taught this to my four children). I’ve seen a few rock stars wearing it as well.
Wait, you mean Madonna......
susie
And that message is getting lost in this whole thing. It's an improper use of a sacramental. So is hanging it from your rear-view mirror. Despite the fact that gangs are wearing rosaries, that's not the only reason she shouldn't be wearing it.
From what I understand, there are some Hispanic Catholics who do wear this, not meant as jewelry but per St Louis deMontfort. “true devotion to Mary.” In one of the apparitions, the Virgin Mary said to “pray the rosary often and even wearing it around our necks.”
It may have everything to do with this young lady’s intentions.
Ping to my post above. And also, what is your take on St. Christopher medals? Are they okay to hang in your car?
The only place a rosary should be on a body is around your hand when you are saying the rosary, otherwise it should be in box, or wherever you keep it
I can't read this thread (or think of some likely responses) without thinking of The Secret of the Rosary, which encourages the practice and gives accounts of miracles that occurred after someone placed a rosary around someone else's neck. (I am not "guaranteeing a miracle" in this post ;) or saying that miracles happen mechanically.)
At the same time, I agree that it shouldn't be worn as a "jewelry item"--any more than a cross or crucifix should be worn as a mere "jewelry item."
By the phrase "jewelry item," I mean that the wearer is devoted to the self rather than to God, wears the item simply to be fashionable, would wear a suspicious-looking pentagram the next day if it became fashionable, and would throw away the item because of persecution (or, horrors, uncoolness!).
Of course, I'm not saying that a cross or crucifix and a rosary will have equal meanings to all people at all times, so be careful. (In other words, while "what if some authorities banned crosses on the grounds that they're a gang sign?" is a good question, it's not simply the same rosary question in Cross Form.)
A rosary is meant as a devotional item, not a fashion accessory.
Wearing it to trick out your outfit is sacrilegious.
Gang members wear clothes, eat food, and breath air.
Are we suppose to go naked, starve, and hold our breath?
(IS FR crashing again? I had to try like 4 times to get the comment window.)
I just emailed my Dominican friends, telling them they’d been busted. (For those who came in late, a rosary hanging from the belt is part of the Dominican habit.)
Yah! Dat be duh ting fo Jesus and His Gang of Twelve! And he momma! And he daddy. And he birdie.
Mmmm. Communion wine.
Interesting information. I was just going by what I have been taught over the years ... that a sacramental should be treated with respect and that wearing a rosary was not following those guidelines.
The St. Christopher medal? Not a sacramental ... merely a medal.
*****************
This is my understanding as well. Aren't they worn by the religious to keep them "at hand"?
(IS FR crashing again? I had to try like 4 times to get the comment window.)
I just emailed my Dominican friends, telling them they’d been busted. (For those who came in late, a rosary hanging from the belt is part of the Dominican habit.)
Funny story, completely off topic.. My wife was raised a good Baptist girl and had a commitment to never touch alcohol until she turned 21. While we where dating, a month before she turned 21, I took her to my church (Anglican) and God made her break her promise at communion. :->
At least she never believed the old Baptist mantra that wine in Jesus time was just grape juice.
That’s not the point. The point is, she would not be allowed to have a rosary with her at all, even if kept in a box most of the day. Prayer? Oh my God, not prayer!
That’s not the point. The point is, she would not be allowed to have a rosary with her at all, even if kept in a box most of the day. Prayer? Oh my God, not prayer!
Does anyone know what kind of wine the Catholic church uses?
Regarding St. Christopher medals - I had always been taught that sacramentals are objects or actions set apart to bring us closer to God. I believe St. Christopher medals meet that criteria. I could very well be mistaken, although I was curious so I did a little digging - this and this seem to agree with me. Thoughts?
Red wine
In large parts of the German Catholic world, whites are quite common.
But red is generally preferred worldwide, because of its physical resemblance to blood - reminding the faithful of what the wine actually becomes when it is consecrated.
At a Anglican church I used to attend (the one in question), they actually used Port. Others I’ve seen used Mogen David Kosher wine.
From The AP: Casey Anthony, left, walks with her attorney Jose Baez on Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 at the Orange County Jail just before surrendering his client on newly-filed charges in Orlando, Fla. The mother of a missing toddler, who authorities have called a person of interest in the girl's disappearance, was arrested a third time Monday on new theft charges. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Red Huber)
Sad to say, it is not uncommon for Mexican and Central American gangs to hijack Catholic imagery - in particular rosaries, pictures of Our Lady of Guadalupe, baroque-style crucifixes and crosses, etc - for gang symbolism. If this particular school district has a problem with gangs who use rosaries as gang symbols, I can hardly blame them for banning rosaries. It certainly sucks for the young lady, however.
The use of colored rosary beads and other religious articles have also been noted. These are subtle indicators of gang membership and are often hard to notice if you are not looking for them. With the introduction of strict dress codes and the use of uniforms in the school systems these type of indicators seem to be favored by the gangsters.Scum bags.
Maybe she joined the Jesus and Mary Chain gang.
No, there are no maybes or buts about it: you don't wear a rosary!
And if you're wearing it, well, it could well be because you ARE using it as a gang symbol.
See my posts 23 and 39 - you CAN wear a rosary! Sheesh...Irish Catholics and their cultural imperialism ;-)
I think it's Father Zuhlsdorf of WDTPRS (or maybe it's Father Trigilio of EWTN) who says a Rosary on the mirror (I keep mine on the gearshift) is a good reminder to say his prayers . . . .
It isn't a fashion accessory, though, for sure. It's a sacramental!!!
Technically that's not permissible, because port is adulterated (with brandy or grain alcohol) and thus not proper matter for consecration.
I don't think that is really one of the 2,242 reasons we left the Episcopal Church, but . . . .
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