www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/23/nbead23.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/10/23/ixhome.html

Rosary is not just a fashion item, explains Church

By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent, and David Sapsted
(Filed: 23/10/2004)

The soaring popularity of rosary beads among the fashion conscious has provoked the Roman Catholic Church to issue a leaflet stressing their religious significance.

Christian bookshops and other suppliers have been overwhelmed by demand from teenagers since celebrities such as David Beckham and Britney Spears began wearing the beads as necklaces and bracelets.

Catholic authorities have expressed "regret" about the way the beads are being trivialised and the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has now produced guidance on their use as prayer aids.

Fr Allen Morris, the secretary of the Department for Christian Life and Worship, said jewellery shops were reporting record sales of rosaries and the leaflet was a response to concern that they were seen as mere secular fashion items.

Shirley Nicholls, manager of the Revelations Christian Bookshop in Ipswich, said: "We have sold more than 100 rosary beads in the past six weeks. We normally sell about three dozen in April and May, when people have them for their first communion, and then the odd one during the rest of the year.

"But during the summer, they have been selling like hot cakes and the children keep asking me to order more."

Traditional rosaries consist of five sets of beads, each set comprising one large bead representing the Lord's Prayer, and 10 smaller ones representing the Hail Mary. They were originally used by people who could not read or write to help them meditate on the life of Jesus.

Mrs Nicholls, who runs the shop on behalf of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich diocese, has now started handing out booklets with the rosaries, explaining how to use the beads for prayer.

"I think it's a rather strange fashion accessory," she said. "I couldn't handle the idea at first, but now I hand out a leaflet with every purchase, so that youngsters have a chance to see what the beads are for."

Kristina Cooper, editor of the national Good News Magazine for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, has also been handing out rosaries to children on her estate in south-west London.

"I think it's a bid sad if people wear rosary beads and don't understand what they mean," she said. "But it's an opportunity for Christians to explain to people what they are all about.

"I make the youngsters earn their rosaries by learning Our Father and I tell them they are prayer beads and not fashion items."

Beckham, the England football captain, epitomised the trend when he appeared on the front cover of Vanity Fair sporting a Dolce & Gabbana "rosary necklace" worth £550.

The singer Britney Spears was pictured in Dublin wearing white beads, and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, the television personality, has also been photographed with a rosary.

That still doesn't convince me to exclude them from my "drag" outfit worn every Tuesday and Thursday evening.

What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween?

I didn't post the story to "bait" anyone.  

I myself am not religious, but I respect those that sincerely are.  Stories like this are disturbing to me because they show the total disconnect between people today and our history and traditions.

Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween?

I guess I should stop using them as anal beads for my wife as well.

Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween?

It is the last acceptable form of American hate.  It's the "cool" thing to do.


But I don't see this articule as bashing, just stating facts.


Sgtar15

Quoted: Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween? It is the last acceptable form of American hate.  It's the "cool" thing to do. But I don't see this articule as bashing, just stating facts. Sgtar15

Right, he hasn't used the word "Popery" yet. This is the ARfcom standard for Catholic bashing.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween? It is the last acceptable form of American hate.  It's the "cool" thing to do. But I don't see this articule as bashing, just stating facts. Sgtar15 Right, he hasn't used the word "Popery" yet. This is the ARfcom standard for Catholic bashing.

Popery, haven't heard that one yet. Time to add it to the list

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween? It is the last acceptable form of American hate.  It's the "cool" thing to do. But I don't see this articule as bashing, just stating facts. Sgtar15 Right, he hasn't used the word "Popery" yet. This is the ARfcom standard for Catholic bashing. Popery, haven't heard that one yet. Time to add it to the list

I believe the preferred term is "Papist", pronounced with a hard A.

The only rosary related thing that would bother me are the rosary air-fresheners you see in cars.

Digital

I may not pray them anymore, but it has always bothered me that rosaries are used as a fashion accessory, especially by people who wouldn't be caught dead praying at all, let alone the rosary.

As for the rest of this thread, can we all just give it a friggin' rest? Jeez!

Catholic girls start much too late.......

Only the good die young.

+1 for not wearing the beads as some damn necklace . . . .

Quoted: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/10/23/nbead23.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/10/23/ixhome.html Rosary is not just a fashion item, explains Church By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent, and David Sapsted (Filed: 23/10/2004) The soaring popularity of rosary beads among the fashion conscious has provoked the Roman Catholic Church to issue a leaflet stressing their religious significance. Christian bookshops and other suppliers have been overwhelmed by demand from teenagers since celebrities such as David Beckham and Britney Spears began wearing the beads as necklaces and bracelets. Catholic authorities have expressed "regret" about the way the beads are being trivialised and the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has now produced guidance on their use as prayer aids. Fr Allen Morris, the secretary of the Department for Christian Life and Worship, said jewellery shops were reporting record sales of rosaries and the leaflet was a response to concern that they were seen as mere secular fashion items. Shirley Nicholls, manager of the Revelations Christian Bookshop in Ipswich, said: "We have sold more than 100 rosary beads in the past six weeks. We normally sell about three dozen in April and May, when people have them for their first communion, and then the odd one during the rest of the year. "But during the summer, they have been selling like hot cakes and the children keep asking me to order more." Traditional rosaries consist of five sets of beads, each set comprising one large bead representing the Lord's Prayer, and 10 smaller ones representing the Hail Mary. They were originally used by people who could not read or write to help them meditate on the life of Jesus. Mrs Nicholls, who runs the shop on behalf of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich diocese, has now started handing out booklets with the rosaries, explaining how to use the beads for prayer. "I think it's a rather strange fashion accessory," she said. "I couldn't handle the idea at first, but now I hand out a leaflet with every purchase, so that youngsters have a chance to see what the beads are for." Kristina Cooper, editor of the national Good News Magazine for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, has also been handing out rosaries to children on her estate in south-west London. "I think it's a bid sad if people wear rosary beads and don't understand what they mean," she said. "But it's an opportunity for Christians to explain to people what they are all about. "I make the youngsters earn their rosaries by learning Our Father and I tell them they are prayer beads and not fashion items." Beckham, the England football captain, epitomised the trend when he appeared on the front cover of Vanity Fair sporting a Dolce & Gabbana "rosary necklace" worth £550. The singer Britney Spears was pictured in Dublin wearing white beads, and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, the television personality, has also been photographed with a rosary.

Airwolf ...

Remember what our Lord said what was going to happen towards the "end times".

And even the evil one appears as an "angel of light".

Many deceive themselves.

One fact must be remembered ... Jesus said that He was the only way to God (John 14:6) ... but many will go down the broad and wide road of destruction.

If you or anyone else are being "bashed" because of Christ, be exceedindly glad, for great will your reward be in God's Kingdom.

Quoted: I didn't post the story to "bait" anyone.   I myself am not religious, but I respect those that sincerely are.  Stories like this are disturbing to me because they show the total disconnect between people today and our history and traditions.

Sorry, nothing directed at you personally.  It just seems lately on this board that if the slightest opportunity presents itself to bash Catholics, the full-mooners come out in force.

Sorry again!

Quoted: Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween? It is the last acceptable form of American hate. It's the "cool" thing to do. But I don't see this articule as bashing, just stating facts. Sgtar15

That seems to be the case.

just another example of people making a buck off of religion, and thus cheapening it.

ie:
rosary beads as fashion accessories
god's gym shirts with Jesus bench-pressing the cross
what would Jesus do bracelets
etc etc etc

all of that crap makes religion look cheap and commercialized. whenever i saw that stuff growing up in a private school, i wanted to puke.

and to you catholics, why are you always so ready to jump on people who dare post anything about the 'catholic church' as catholic bashers. give me a break.

it's as bad as the liberals that call everyone and anyone racist.

At least they didn't put one out about not using them as anal beads.

For far too long, the defining symbol of Christianity-Christ's cross-has also been used as a cheap fashion item by everyone from ganster rappers (usually one weighing around six pounds) to people we may know personally, none of whom have the slightest clue of it's significance, or of the suffering endured on it. It's disgraceful and offensive, and most all of these folks are completely oblivious to that fact. Not trying to hijack the thread here, but it definitely strikes a nerve.

Quoted: Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween? tinypic.com/e21hy

What's with the "reservoir tip" shadow?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What's with all the threads baiting the Catholic-haters?  Does it have something to do with Halloween? tinypic.com/e21hy What's with the "reservoir tip" shadow?

Read the signs.

Yet another "clever" attempt to bash the Catholic Church.