What kind of a jewelry-wearer are you? I have a friend who devotes an entire drawer of her dresser to her jewelry collection and she chooses accessories with the same level of attention that I choose an outfit. My mom, on the other hand, almost never wears jewelry, but she has the most whimsical assemblage of seasonal pins — think bejeweled Easter eggs and a sterling silver turkey — that she whips out to add to her coat collar on the appropriate day. And my sister does a great job of picking up unique pieces from places to which she travels and elderly relatives paring down their possessions. She doesn’t wear jewelry every day, but when she does, the piece has a story.

Myself, I tend to be a consistent minimalist: I wear the same tiny gold hoops, chunky watch, stack of bangles, and engagement/wedding ring duo basically every day. Every now and then, I’ll branch out from my usual and throw on a pair of statement earrings, or I’ll add a simple necklace to my regular combo, but I’m generally much more of a staples gal than a variety person. 

That said, every now and then I get the hankering to make a change to my jewelry wearing habits, whether that be by introducing more diversity to my weekly wears, or by switching up my regulars. For instance, I could introduce a simple necklace to my current “uniform,” as it doesn’t yet include something around my neck, or I could add an extra bracelet to my everyday bangle stack. 

As I’m considering making some changes, I got to thinking that it might be nice to add a piece or two of specifically Catholic jewelry to my mix. To me, this has value on several levels, including that Catholic jewelry can serve as an outward expression of faith as well as a provocation to prayer, or a reminder to reorient towards God throughout the day. 

Whether you currently own Catholic jewelry or are looking to add some to your life, here are some ideas of ways that you can choose and wear Catholic jewelry with intention.

Choose a piece to accompany a milestone

Maybe you recently got engaged, are starting a new job, or are expecting a baby. Maybe you are about to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary, or you just went through a transformative experience like a pilgrimage or treatment for an illness. Choose a piece of jewelry to mentally pair with the transition, event, or experience, and each time you wear the piece or adjust it on your wrist, neck or finger, look back on the antecedent. If your ring is associated with your engagement, marriage or an anniversary, pray for your spouse. If your necklace was procured in relation to the birth of a child, pray for that child. If you chose a new bracelet to wear on your first day of work, pray for the people whose lives you touch through your vocation each time you find yourself playing with the beads. And with any of these, give thanks for the life you have been given, the people who surround you, and all the moments that have led to this one. 

Wear jewelry that reminds you of a role model in the faith

For many women, motherhood — whether of their own children, or through mothering the children of siblings and friends, or as a grandparent — takes a prominent place in their life. I speak for myself, though I think others as well, when I say that a significant amount of my mind and heart space is devoted to thinking about my children, worrying about my children, enjoying my children, and wondering how I can best guide and nourish my children. I also spend a lot of time reading parenting books, chatting with my friends about how they are handling various issues with children, and asking for advice from more seasoned parents.

With all this in mind, a piece of Marian jewelry would be a wonderful accompaniment to my everyday wardrobe. When I see it, I can be reminded of the mother of all Mothers, and be inspired by her way of life and her way of being. A simple piece of jewelry can serve as a call to gentleness, acceptance, care and unrelenting love. It can also help me remember that even as I am occupied by my mothering, I am cared for by my heavenly mother. 

Pair jewelry with prayer 

I’ve written about using jewelry that you’re wearing as a reminder to pray throughout the day. Another way to pair jewelry with prayer is by saying specific prayers as you don certain pieces of jewelry. For instance, on days that you choose to wear these St. Therese earrings, recite St. Therese’s novena rose prayer (for ease, keep her prayer card in your jewelry box). Or, say the Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as you fasten the clasp of this Sacred Heart necklace around your neck. Or, make a decade of the rosary, or the whole thing, a part of your morning routine as you slide this rosary bracelet on to your wrist. 

As you consider how you might incorporate Catholic jewelry into your wardrobe, remember that the earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that you choose are more than just beautiful pieces to brighten up your appearance; they can also serve as reminders to pray, invitations to reflection, and opportunities for inspiration. Whatever you choose to wear, know that the Spirit moves in surprising ways...maybe even through the beads on your wrist and the studs in your ears!