New Tattoo?
Growing up, my mother always insisted that tattoos were hideous. I was told that I could never get one. Of course, there’s a temporal limit to authority. If a man can wed another woman following the death o fhis former spouse, surely a son can get a tattoo once his formerly-unapproving mother has passed. All too aware of my stubbornness while on earth, from her current vantage she can only observe the full breadth of my resolve.
In the book of Jeremiah, the author laments the Israelites’ rejection of the Lord: “Of old time thou hast broken my yoke, thou hast burst my bands, and thou saidst: I will not serve.” (Jeremiah 2: 20 DRB) These last words, “non serviam“, have traditionally been ascribed to Satan in the story of the fall of the angels from heaven.
In Catechism on Pride, St. John Vianney elaborates: “Pride is that accursed sin which drove the angels out of paradise, and hurled them into Hell. This sin began with the world.”
If the sin of pride began with the world, it is in overcoming pride that we obtain God’s forgiveness and advance toward sanctity. The final sentence of Psalm 142, the last words of the seventh and final penitential psalm, proclaims: “Et perdes omnes qui tribulant animam meam, Quoniam ego servus tuus sum.” – “And Thou wilt cut off all that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.”
It is these words which I am planning on ascribing on the upper portion of arm, between my bicep and tricep and just below my shoulder. I’d like the words to be just below a circle of thorns circumscribing a monogram: perhaps the IHS, the “mirror of justice”, a Tau cross or a Pelican. The tattoo would be done just with black ink. I’d love to read your feedback.
15 comments
Leviticus 19:28
I agree with Mom - no to the tattoos
I think the Tau cross would be cool…but I’m partial b/c I went to Franciscan University! I have the cross with the “M” from the miraculous medal in blue ink. The link talks about the Church’s take on tatoos and the often misuse of Leviticus 19:28.
I guess it didn’t post:
http://www.cuf.org/FaithFacts/details_view.asp?ffID=233
Listen to your mother. Its a GREAT idea for a tattoo… BUT. Its still a tattoo. Your body is to be treated with respect because it is a temple (or something along those lines, to which I am sure you will correct me) and inking it, is not respectful (in my opinion, which I’m sure you also have a comment for!). You don’t need to ink your beliefs on you, you live them everyday for the world to see!
Who would have thought you’d become an ally of my mother, Ally?
I like that sentence…
I think you have made an awesome choice on your tattoo, however I would highly recommend you don’t get one. I have one and regret it…it isn’t Catholic and I wish it was, but I fear I would still not care for it…I wasn’t a Catholic at the time of my tattoo experience.
When I went to Lourdes I traveled with a very knowledgeable Bishop who said that we would be better off tattooing these beautiful teachings on our heart.
It stuck with me, because at the time I was thinking of making my present tattoo more meaningful. Now it is, because it reminds me of my life before I was living God’s will for me. It helps me to be thankful for my conversion.
Also a tattoo on your heart never fades or looks ridiculous as you age…
God Bless,
Andrea
HaHa! Yup, well she knew a thing or two ya know…
Hi,I just want to share..
Tatoo is a beautiful art made by people for centuries…as for now,the meaning is always change according to the user when a long time ago tatoo used to be a symbol for culture,and to honor their God.Now,tatoos more like style and fashion.
Actually,once I have my own experience about tatoos.And my mom told me, If i wanted to have tatoo just realise one thing, is it help me to pray and Praise God or it is only more for my own satisfactions?because if there was “me and satisfaction” what I was doing is not for God anymore..it’s simply just for me.. It can be tricky though
It seems to me that the Catholic attitude towards tattoos is similar to that about piercings … all in moderation. Our bodies are God’s temple, but even the temple of old was decorated (inside & out) so as to honor Him better. As long as you are in good spiritual shape so it is not hypocritical, you don’t plan to get it to make someone mad, it won’t mutilate your body, or any other wrong reason, there shouldn’t be a problem with getting a tattoo.
I suppose it ought to be said that this is coming from a tattoo-less person. However, I have been considering getting a claddagh/wooden cross combination if I can decide where I want it.
For yours, I like the ideas of the Marian monogram & the pelican the best. They make it more unique, while still holding the same meaning.
Why not at least wait until after you get married so you can see what your wife thinks?
That’s a fair comment…
(due diligence) - Yeah Theodoric - why not wait and see what your future wife thinks?
I have been debating on getting the ihs on my neck for 2yrs now.
Yeah, I take your mom’s side too. No tattoo is best. May I compare it with seeing a nice graffiti picture on a church garden wall surrounding a particular church I passed by few years back? It was a nice paint job, but on that wall, weeeell….. not a good idea.
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