Wearing A Miraculous Medal/scapular/saint Medal Etc

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

This is probably a topic for another thread, but, I've wondered at what point "special graces" attached to various medals, etc. become superstition. I suspect that, for most people, wearing medals, scapulars, etc. isn't superstition, but simply a way to remind themselves of their faith.

However, at worst, wearing a medal can't hurt (except maybe in certain jobs). Just as long as a person didn't do something foolhardy because they felt that a medal they were wearing would protect them no matter what.

But, I can see a real purpose in wearing something that says "Call a priest"--sort of religious Medic-alert bracelet.

Edited June 10, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[MissScripture]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='09 June 2010 - 10:35 PM' timestamp='1276137350' post='2126580']
If you search on EBay under St Michael medal you'll find quite a few St. Michael medals for sale, ranging from very inexpensive to much more expensive. (I just checked.)

Also, I've become something of an expert lately (not planned--it just happened) on Web sites that sell medals for obscure saints or religious medals that are very cheap, etc. So, if you have been looking for something that you haven't been able to find, let me know. No guarantees, unfortunately. (I swear, I was born to research.)

As for skin allergies, I have to wear earrings that have either stainless steel or gold posts, or my ears get allergic. With the cost of gold, gold medals usually cost $100+ to thousands of dollars, although you can also find gold-plated medals that are cheaper. There are some stainless steel medals/crucifixes out there, but not many.
[/quote]
I am trying to figure out exactly what it is that my skin reacts to, though it's really a variety with variation in the extent of my skin reaction. I'm not sure what my mom's class ring is made out of because that and my wedding ring currently are the only jewelry that hasn't reacted to me. Yet another reason I won't get my ears pierced! Don't want to deal with that in my ears!

[quote name='CatherineM' date='09 June 2010 - 10:42 PM' timestamp='1276137740' post='2126583']
I have allergy issues when it comes to wool also. I have used scapulars made of metal, but the best solution I found was coating the wool with clear nail polish.
[/quote]
Hmm...I never tried that. I tried using clear nail polish on the back of a metal scapular (it just flaked off), but I never thought about using it on a wool one. That *might* work. At least, it's worth a shot! Thanks.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='09 June 2010 - 10:52 PM' timestamp='1276138357' post='2126594']
This is probably a topic for another thread, but, I've wondered at what point "special graces" attached to various medals, etc. become superstition.

However, at worst, wearing a medal can't hurt (except maybe in certain jobs). Just as long as a person didn't do something foolhardy because they felt that a medal etc. they were wearing would protect them no matter what.

But, I can see the purpose in wearing something that says "Call a priest"--sort of religious Medic-Alert bracelet.
[/quote]
I would think it sort of depends on the intent of wearing it. If you're wearing the medal to honor the Saint, or as a reminder of the Saint or something along those lines, the special graces would be like a plus. If you're wearing it specifically because you've decided you want those special graces, then I think it would be more superstitious.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' date='09 June 2010 - 10:46 PM' timestamp='1276137985' post='2126590']
But there's a warranty against sudden death... does choking qualify as "sudden" because it comes as a surprise, or "slow and painful" because it may take a few minutes?
[/quote]

I don't want to find out the hard way...

Anyway, excess jewelry is strictly [i]verboten[/i] in the employee handbook. I guess I could always carry a medal in my pocket, but I would be afraid of losing it.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='10 June 2010 - 12:20 AM' timestamp='1276140020' post='2126607']
I don't want to find out the hard way...

Anyway, excess jewelry is strictly [i]verboten[/i] in the employee handbook. I guess I could always carry a medal in my pocket, but I would be afraid of losing it.
[/quote]

I usually carry a rosary or a rosary ring in my pocket.

What about an ankle bracelet?

I've actually been thinking about getting a chain to go around my ankle as a sign of my consecration to the Blessed Mother, but I haven't a clue as to where to get one.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='09 June 2010 - 10:22 PM' timestamp='1276140125' post='2126608']
I usually carry a rosary or a rosary ring in my pocket.

What about an ankle bracelet?

I've actually been thinking about getting a chain to go around my ankle as a sign of my consecration to the Blessed Mother, but I haven't a clue as to where to get one.
[/quote]

Maybe a craft or bead store? (I've never worn an ankle chain.) There are lots of religious medals that are VERY tiny. You could even put one in your shoe (or inside your sock) and you probably wouldn't feel it.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='09 June 2010 - 11:22 PM' timestamp='1276140125' post='2126608']
I usually carry a rosary or a rosary ring in my pocket.

What about an ankle bracelet?

I've actually been thinking about getting a chain to go around my ankle as a sign of my consecration to the Blessed Mother, but I haven't a clue as to where to get one.
[/quote]

One of the Sisters I know (that went to FUS and lived in a household that did the de Montfort Consecration together) had a chain she wore around her wrist as a sign of her consecration as a "slave of Mary" -- it looked pretty much like the second from the bottom in this picture:

[img]http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_284/1214665540V7YYd9.jpg[/img]

One of the guys she knew that did the Consecration had an ankle chain made -- it looked like the top chain (HUGE links!) and wore it as a sign and as personal mortification, so Sister told me.

She said they bought their chains from a hardware store.

I thought that was really cool.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='10 June 2010 - 12:47 AM' timestamp='1276141653' post='2126616']
One of the Sisters I know (that went to FUS and lived in a household that did the de Montfort Consecration together) had a chain she wore around her wrist as a sign of her consecration as a "slave of Mary" -- it looked pretty much like the second from the bottom in this picture:

[img]http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_284/1214665540V7YYd9.jpg[/img]

One of the guys she knew that did the Consecration had an ankle chain made -- it looked like the top chain (HUGE links!) and wore it as a sign and as personal mortification, so Sister told me.

She said they bought their chains from a hardware store.

I thought that was really cool.
[/quote]

Oh-ho!!

I don't think I'd do something as big as that last (and by last, I definitely meant first) picture. But perhaps one of the smaller ones. Thanks, lc!!

Edited June 10, 2010 by TeresaBenedicta

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='09 June 2010 - 11:51 PM' timestamp='1276141890' post='2126619']
Oh-ho!!

I don't think I'd do something as big as that last picture. But perhaps one of the smaller ones. Thanks, lc!!
[/quote]

No problem!

I remember thinking, "Man, I wish I would've have thought of that when I made my consecration!"

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='09 June 2010 - 10:52 PM' timestamp='1276141977' post='2126620']
No problem! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/happy.gif[/img]

I remember thinking, "Man, I wish I would've have thought of that when I made my consecration!" [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/notworthy2.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/lol.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Would they allow you to wear an ankle bracelet in the Monastery, or would you have to take it off? (I'm going to have to learn to call it the "Priory" because that's what your Order calls it, but it's going to take some practice!)

P.S. I hope you wear a veil as a postulant, to cover up your Vulcan ears![img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/shock.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif[/img]

[nleyetn]

The scapular I bought came with a St. Benedict medal and a small Crucifix, so I where all three.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

This is one of my usual dumb questions......How do you keep a scapular from showing through your clothes? [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/think_head.gif[/img]

[Tridenteen]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='09 June 2010 - 11:12 PM' timestamp='1276143147' post='2126634']
This is one of my usual dumb questions......How do you keep a scapular from showing through your clothes? [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/think_head.gif[/img]
[/quote]


JMJ
Camisol for gals, undershirt for guys. Modesty, and hides the scapular [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Christie_M]

It's not a dumb question

You can play with the size of the Scapular to see what works/doesn't work. I like to get longer ones so they don't pop out so much from my shirts. Smaller ones (mostly talking about the square part) aren't as obvious through the clothes.
And, of course, wearing nice thick shirts, or sweaters makes things easier

Edited June 10, 2010 by Christie_M

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Tridenteen' date='10 June 2010 - 01:21 AM' timestamp='1276143709' post='2126638']
JMJ
Camisol for gals, undershirt for guys. Modesty, and hides the scapular [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif[/img]
[/quote]

I could never manage to keep the string from showing, even with the camisol.

[CatherineM]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='09 June 2010 - 11:29 PM' timestamp='1276144178' post='2126647']
I could never manage to keep the string from showing, even with the camisol.
[/quote]
Athletic tape. The kind that they use on ankles and stuff. You can get it at high end sports equipment places. Little bit of tape on the shoulder. It's designed for sweaty skin, and will stay.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='09 June 2010 - 11:58 PM' timestamp='1276142280' post='2126624']
Would they allow you to wear an ankle bracelet in the Monastery, or would you have to take it off? (I'm going to have to learn to call it the "Priory" because that's what your Order calls it, but it's going to take some practice!) [/quote]

I'm not sure what the protocol is on various devotional "jewelry"/items. I would think we'd probably be able to wear necklaces under our shirts (and eventually -- God willing -- under the habit); however, I'm not too sure about bracelets/anklets. Or even a rosary ring. That's something I must remember to ask about! *makes note to self* I think I'd feel somewhat weird without my rosary ring on. ("Offer it up!")

Oh, and as random as it may seem, while visiting I asked the different between a "convent" and "priory". I was told that these distinctions are based on the number of Professed Sisters living there. I can't remember what number that was, but if it was less than that number, then the religious house would be called a "convent", and if over, it is a "priory". I'd never heard of that before. New brain wrinkle that day.

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola']
P.S. I hope you wear a veil as a postulant, to cover up your Vulcan ears! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/shock.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif[/img]
[/quote]



Actually, we don't get to wear veils as postulants... I'd LOVE if we did (like PMer Saint Therese's community does), but alas, we do not.

My postulant habit will look pretty much identical to the Nashville Dominican postulant habit:

[IMG]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/Random/nashvillepostulants-1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/Random/NPwalking.jpg[/IMG]

Except I'll be wearing "sensible black shoes" or "dark sandals" -- both options WITH (black) socks.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='09 June 2010 - 11:43 PM' timestamp='1276145020' post='2126651']

My postulant habit will look pretty much identical to the Nashville Dominican postulant habit:

[img]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/Random/nashvillepostulants-1.jpg[/img]

Except I'll be wearing "sensible black shoes" or "dark sandals" -- both options WITH (black) socks. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/sweat.gif[/img]
[/quote]

There's that old saying, "If nuns are the brides of Christ, why does he only get the ugly ones?" If someone ever says that, all you have to do is pull out this picture. This is a very attractive group of young ladies!

[jeffpugh]

Did wear a cross, Miraculous Medal and St. Cecilia medal....


but they fled from me

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

I have a scapular that has a Miraculous Medal & St. Benedict Medal built into the scapular. It's quite nice and saves me from a constant jingling noise... My old scapular also had a little Crucifix, a Holy Face medal, and an Agnus Dei, but I have yet to transfer them to the new scapular. At one time, I had a few other medals, but they fell off at certain points.

laetitia crucis-I know that the Poor Clares said they pin medals to the straps of their undergarments.