Avoiding superstition, then I did this!

[Arnold1N2D]

Since I became a full devotee of the Catholic Church, I stopped believing on superstitions (not on a blink of an eye, rather I stopped believing on them step by step like that)

Here in the Philippines, there’s this so-called “Tabi-tabi po.” (Excuse me.) This kind of saying “excuse me” is for the elements that roam/live around the trees and woods, it’s like you say it to give them respect and to say permission that you’re going to use their place for a while. But right now, I don’t believe in them because I know that Jesus’ only enemy is the devil, and I believe they’re only the members of the devil.

A while ago at the cemetery, my godmother (who is a Catholic, but believes on this superstition) told me to say it, but I didn’t respond, and later on she said it again and I felt that she really wanted it for me to say it. (She told it in a way that she spoke like a mother) I had no choice but to say it but only this, “Tabi…”, because I really didn’t want to say it.

Do you think it’s a mortal sin to say it? And I think there’s some duress on it?

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Since I became a full devotee of the Catholic Church, I stopped believing on superstitions (not on a blink of an eye, rather I stopped believing on them step by step like that)

Here in the Philippines, there’s this so-called “Tabi-tabi po.” (Excuse me.) This kind of saying “excuse me” is for the elements that roam/live around the trees and woods, it’s like you say it to give them respect and to say permission that you’re going to use their place for a while. But right now, I don’t believe in them because I know that Jesus’ only enemy is the devil, and I believe they’re only the members of the devil.

A while ago at the cemetery, my godmother (who is a Catholic, but believes on this superstition) told me to say it, but I didn’t respond, and later on she said it again and I felt that she really wanted it for me to say it. (She told it in a way that she spoke like a mother) I had no choice but to say it.

Do you think it’s a mortal sin to say it? And I think there’s some duress on it?

You need to figure out what is really superstitious and what is a cultural influence. Many times these are intertwind but it’s important to be respectful of people who see it as a cultural thing, without the belief behind it.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

A while ago at the cemetery, my godmother (who is a Catholic, but believes on this superstition) told me to say it, but I didn’t respond, and later on she said it again and I felt that she really wanted it for me to say it. (She told it in a way that she spoke like a mother) I had no choice but to say it.

Do you think it’s a mortal sin to say it? And I think there’s some duress on it?

If your godmother said it as a matter of respect for the dead, then no, I don’t think it is a sin at all.

If I am with my children at a cemetery I tell them to be respectful of the dead who are interred there as well as anyone else who is visiting.

 

[Arnold1N2D]

Oh thanks! I remember just now after I read your reply that she told me that I should say that “excuse me” because the place I was supposed to sit (but still I didn’t sit on it, I changed place) was above another’s grave.

 

[CatholicSpirit]

In the recent, someone told me to look into the term “sacred spaces” this might help

 

[Zaccheus]

You did not say it because you believe the superstition. You said it because your mother required it of you. At wrong a very minor sin of cooperating with superstition. At best no sin because you obeyed your mother.

How old are you? Because if an adult, then in my opinion you should have refused: but if you are a child you are subject to your parents and dependent on them.

 

[PJM]

NO, absolutely NOT

The 3 conditions for a mortal sin are:

Serious matter [belief in other gods would qualify[

Knowing that what your about to do [or wish to do is a Mortal sin]

THEN FREELY choosing to do so anyway [you were coerced]; so this was NOT a Mortal sin based on your account… It would still be a good idea to confess it the next time you g to confession: BE SURE to share all the facts with your Confessor.

And you do WELL to avoid all of the superstition

GOD Bless you, pray very much
Patrick

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Turn it into a prayer. We can pray for the dead. Explain to your grandma you will pray for the dead and get Mass said for the dead.

There are those type of customs in many places.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Turn it into a prayer. We can pray for the dead. Explain to your grandma you will pray for the dead and get Mass said for the dead.

There are those type of customs in many places.

Yes.

I’m not superstitious, but even I will say “sorry” to the person who’s body was laid to rest beneath my footsteps if I am walking a graveyard. Not because I think it is bad luck, or because I think they are hanging around but because I want to have a respectful attitude and saying sorry when I don’t respect graves is a way for me to show that I am trying to be respectful.

 

[Trishie]

Arnold, it wasn’t mortal.
Your godmother is an authority figure and it would have been difficult to resist her demand fuelled by her fear.
Even if it was grave matter and against the first Commandment,
you did not have full intent.
To commit a mortal sin you must knowingly and willingly consent to something which is grave matter and that you believe to be a mortal sin. You didn’t willingly consent.