Teens’ rings a symbol of their commitment to chastity

"People ask me if I’ll wait until college, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll wait either way. If he loves me, then he’ll respect my decision," she said.

DeCarlo, a member of the youth group at St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township, wears a silver ring symbolizing the fact she made a commitment to abstinence during the "Silver Ring Thing" event held in March.

What began as an event for St. Hubert Parish’s youth group of 72 turned into an interdenominational event that drew more than 1,000 attendees, including parents and youths. More than 470 youths pledged to abstain from sex.

The idea for the chastity ring came from a story about a bride that Kevin Skalecki, co-youth minister at St. Hubert, heard from his sister.

As the bride walked down the aisle, she stopped to tell her father that she had kept the promise she made to him to abstain from sex before she was married. She then gave him the ring she had worn to symbolize that commitment.

The story left such an impression on Skalecki that he and Tony Forlini began to research the concept so they could bring it to the parish. They discovered the "Silver Ring Thing" idea, an abstinence program geared toward teens in response to them being bombarded by a sex-obsessed culture.

Parents were also encouraged to become involved because they are the ones who can continue emphasizing the message on chastity long after such an event is over, Skalecki told The Michigan Catholic, newspaper of the Detroit Archdiocese. "They’re also a support mechanism."

In turning on the radio, watching TV or reading the newspapers, it is evident sex is everywhere, he said, adding that the biggest influences on youths to have sex are the media and peer pressure.

The "Silver Ring Thing" is a national faith-based abstinence program that began in 1995 and involves a multimedia presentation, talks on sex and silver promise rings that symbolize young people’s decision to say no to premarital sex. Participants receive regular e-mails aimed at supporting them in their decision.

Skalecki said that when he and Forlini first told their youth group about the program, members were skeptical, but after seeing a "high energy" presentation about it they liked the idea of holding a "Silver Ring Thing" event.

Because teens from other faiths attend meetings held by the St. Hubert Youth Group, they, too, wanted to take part in the event, so that is how it became an interdenominational happening.

Kevin Dean, 15, said the experience left quite an impact on him. He said to stick to the abstinence pledge it is important to avoid being placed in uncomfortable situations. "Some put themselves in that situation and others don’t. Just don’t put yourselves in a situation where you’re tempted to have sex," he advised.

Emily Decker agreed. "It’s really OK to wait until marriage," she said. "You don’t ever hear that anymore."

She said finding a marriage partner who agrees to that, even if she has to wait until she’s 30, would be "romantic."