“Ask a Priest: How Much Should Be Spent on an Engagement Ring?”

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest
Q: I have been looking at engagement rings and noticed it seems hard to not find a retailer who in some way approves of or supports the LGBTQ lifestyle. I even found a neat retailer who makes diamonds in a lab so that they are ethical, unlike some mined diamonds. The retailer has some very nice simple diamond rings, but I noticed it is supportive of gay marriage. It isn’t blatant on their website but I read an article saying they are OK with it. Would it be wrong to buy from them? Also, how much should one reasonably spend on an engagement ring, from a Catholic perspective? They have nice ones under $1,000, but I can feel like a cheap guy buying one of them. Maybe that is more the world’s propaganda than anything. I don’t have a huge income, but I could spend more than $1,000. – N.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: Probably a lot of stores support the LGBTQ lifestyle to some degree. In America, business is business, as they say.

I don’t think there is a problem if you bought a ring from one of these shops, so long as you don’t signal your support for pro-LGBTQ lifestyles.

If you can find a more traditional shop, then that would be an option. Perhaps there are Christian shops in your area. But if you can’t find one, don’t worry about it.

As for the price of a ring: that is really a personal decision.

It might be good, though, to lean toward something modest. Given the amount of poverty in the world, it’s a good idea to live a modest life and to share things with the poor.

This might be something to talk over with your fiancée-to-be. Now might be a good time to start a dialogue about what kind of life you envision together, and how the two of you view material goods.

If the two of you can have a shared vision of your life together — a life that includes prayer, frugality, concern for the poor, etc. — that could go a long to helping you to avoid the rat race of consumerism and to live an integrally Christian life. In a word, it could help you become saints.

When you decide to propose to your sweetheart, you might do it in some kind of spiritual context (after a prayer together, for instance). That will help make it a beautiful, faith-filled moment — as multifaceted as the diamond that adorns the ring.

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to [email protected] and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

Have a question?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time.

Ask A Catholic Priest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use.  You can ask about anything: liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events. Our goal is to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

Need an answer?

Be in the know

Sign up to receive the latest questions and answers by email biweekly.

Have a Question about the Faith? Get the answer here!

Scroll to Top

Ask a Priest a Question

Please note:

Questions regarding details of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults (including pornography) could be the subject of a mandated report to civil authorities. Mandated reporters are persons identified by law who have an obligation to report suspected child abuse and neglect. 

Sign Up to Receive Ask A Priest

* indicates required

Looking for another country?

RC Near You

News & Resources

News & Resources

The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!