Hi, Sean —

Thanks for the e-mail.

You said:
I have heard multiple things about the appropriateness of a non-Catholic owning a set of Rosary beads and was wondering what you recommend.

I would use them on a purely spiritual basis to remember my grandmother and to acknowledge her Catholic faith.

There's nothing whatsoever inappropriate in a non-Catholic owning a set of Rosary beads.

Our practice of praying the Rosary is very similar to mediating on the Psalms in the
Old Testament. As a mater of fact, that's where the Rosary has it's origins.

I used to run a free Rosary for Protestants program that sent Rosaries to seeking Protestants and non-Christians but no longer have the financial or operational means to do this anymore. Nevertheless, if you wish get your hands on a free Rosary just Google for one.

It's a great devotion because whether you are a Catholic Christian, Protestant Christian, or non-Christian, we are meditating on the lives of both Jesus, Our Lord, and Mary, His Mother and it has many blessings attached to praying it.

Use the Rosary as a visible reminder of your Catholic Grandmother.

That's what I would recommend.

Mike

Hi, Sean —

In addition to Mike's excellent answer, I would like to add that a very good Memorial to your Grandmother would be a Mass.

Go to the office of a Catholic Church, and ask to have a Mass said for a deceased person. They will ask you for the name and give you a card and a date. There is a small donation (a suggested donation is $5, as sort of an act of charity offered in memory of the person) and then the priest will offer a Mass for your Grandmother's soul on the date chosen.

Your Grandmother will love it.

Mary Ann