Nowadays, there is a new trend where individuals wear a rosary around their neck as a piece of jewelry. This is the example I have chosen for my tweaked performative act. These people get dressed, and when accessorizing decide they will wear a rosary around their neck because they believe it appears "cool" "edgy" etc. What they are intending is self-expression. This looks a certain way, and so I want to wear it. What they do not realize is that they are actually using a religious symbol. The rosary is a strand of beads that is used in contemplative prayer to venerate Mary. The beads provide a physical way of keeping track of the prayers, so that an individual can fully focus on the words they are saying. Rosaries are meant to encourage prayer, the Code of Canon law says "Sacred objects, which are designated for divine worship by dedicating or blessing, are to be treated reverently and are not to be employed for profane or inappropriate use even if they are owned by private persons." (1171) To not be aware of the sacred nature of the rosary takes away from its meaning.
So, although I believe there are many people who are aware of what their accessories affiliate them with, I also think that many, many young people with rosaries slug around their necks don't understand how they are projecting themselves. They are trying to stay "relevant" but in fact are decorating themselves with a method of prayer that is hundreds of years old. The Catholic version of the rosary, which grouped the mysteries into three sets, was established in the 16th century by Pope Pius V. However, prayer beads have been used by many religions including Buddhism, Islam and the Bahai Faith. The earliest usage traces to Hindu prayers in India. So while one may be donning the rosary as a hip or trendy piece of jewelry, he or she is actually referencing an ancient tradition.
Andie, your post was truly inspiring to read. I like how you have touched base on a performative act that not many claim or see to be performed. An accessory that is also a religious symbol is definitely a great tweaked performative act. I have a rosary and would not ordinarily wear it as an accessory. But as you have said that may be my opinion but not someone else's opinion. I have seen people wearing rosaries as a fashion piece and I've thought it to be kind of funny, but I guess that's what a beautiful piece of jewelry is in their opinion. Again, very good post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFor a time at my high school the trend of wearing a rosary around your neck spread pretty rapidly. There were some students, however, who found this to be disrespectful or sacrilegious. Most were either participating in the new craze or indifferent to its meaning, but there were those with a strong opinion about its symbolic nature. It is interesting to me to think about how knowledge of the offended's opinion would affect the meaning behind the performative act. To me it seems that feeling of that effect is inevitable and would therefor change how the "trenders" use that symbol. If you continue to wear the rosary after becoming aware of the repercussions, that makes a certain kind of statement. However if you decide take off the rosary to appease those who view it as sacrilege, that also makes a certain statement about your views, your personality, and your beliefs.
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