Getting superstitious about hearing 3 knocks

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LuciaPacifici

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So I read somewhere recently, and I honestly think it was a Catholic site, but one that tends to get a little out there sometimes, that if you hear 3 knocks distinctly in a row it means someone you love will pass away soon.

I ignore these things normally but shortly after that I did hear the 3 knocks, very clearly, no more no less, just hanging out in my room. I thought it was odd though as I had never remember this every happening in my life, but maybe the article made me more away of it. I dismissed it and forgot about it.

That is, until my young (30s) cousin passed away very unexpectedly (he was not sick to our knowledge) shortly after, perhaps a week or so.

I didn’t think about this but I did remember the 3 knocks sometime this week.

I am now freaking myself out because earlier this week I woke up and before I had gotten out of bed I heard 3 knocks again.

I am not sure how to not panic, especially because I do have one family member in a very difficult situation, and another that is taking a lot of dangerous risks in her life.

Does anyone have any ideas for how to get over this? I know that superstition is sinful, as stated in the catechism, as it goes against total trust in God. Furthermore I dislike living in fear.
 
LuciaPacifici said:
So I read somewhere recently, and I honestly think it was a Catholic site, but one that tends to get a little out there sometimes, that if you hear 3 knocks distinctly in a row it means someone you love will pass away soon.

I ignore these things normally but shortly after that I did hear the 3 knocks, very clearly, no more no less, just hanging out in my room. I thought it was odd though as I had never remember this every happening in my life, but maybe the article made me more away of it. I dismissed it and forgot about it.

That is, until my young (30s) cousin passed away very unexpectedly (he was not sick to our knowledge) shortly after, perhaps a week or so.

I didn’t think about this but I did remember the 3 knocks sometime this week.

I am now freaking myself out because earlier this week I woke up and before I had gotten out of bed I heard 3 knocks again.

I am not sure how to not panic, especially because I do have one family member in a very difficult situation, and another that is taking a lot of dangerous risks in her life.

Does anyone have any ideas for how to get over this? I know that superstition is sinful, as stated in the catechism, as it goes against total trust in God. Furthermore I dislike living in fear.
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It sounds to me that you need to see a psychiatrist about it. It seems to be something that is tied to the secular realm. 'Course a visit to your priest wouldn’t hurt either as he may be able to put your mind at rest about this particular instance.
 
brigid12 said:
It sounds to me that you need to see a psychiatrist about it. It seems to be something that is tied to the secular realm. 'Course a visit to your priest wouldn’t hurt either as he may be able to put your mind at rest about this particular instance.
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Okay nevermind. It wasn’t in my head, we’re talking someone else in my large apartment building or pipes or something making the noise. I’ll just ask a priest.
 
I had never heard of this superstition. My mom was superstitious, my dad was not, so I generally took my dad’s side on observations. That said…

On the night my mom had a massive stroke and brain bleed, I got a call from the doctor regarding end of life issues. I had to go back to bed, planning to wake up early and head to the airport to be there. Sometime in that twilight between sleep and wakefulness I heard three, loud distinct knocks. I bolted up in bed. I was home alone, all was quiet. No one at the door. When I realized that it was my mom saying goodbye I cried and started praying. I was at peace, she let me know she had gone.
 
LuciaPacifici said:
Okay nevermind. It wasn’t in my head, we’re talking someone else in my large apartment building or pipes or something making the noise. I’ll just ask a priest.
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I would say the advice to see a psychiatrist is a little extreme. But I don’t think the poster was insinuating that you were imagining something, merely that a psychiatrist might help you with anxiety.

I disagree with the advice because I think spending a great deal of money just to be put on pills is not what you’re most interested in.

According to St. Faustina’s diary, a lack of trust in God offends Him. As such, I think all of us who fall into this sin should take steps to avoid it. Perhaps, in your case, it would be useful to meditate on the wonderful things He’s done in your life, whether something highly personal, or just looking out at His creation and seeing how much He cares for you. We think so much of people who bring us flowers, but what about God, who made the flowers out of nothing just to tell us that He loves us? Knocking might be a sign of something bad, but what about the hundreds of thousands of signs from God which absolutely point to His great love and His great mercy? How often do we take those for granted? Here’s something to watch on this topic: youtube.com/watch?v=uA8QuMtMysQ

We will soon enough be entering the Year of Mercy, and what a great thing it would be if all of us increased our devotion to the Divine Mercy in preparation for it. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to do that as well.
 
AttendeDomine said:
I would say the advice to see a psychiatrist is a little extreme. But I don’t think the poster was insinuating that you were imagining something, merely that a psychiatrist might help you with anxiety.

I disagree with the advice because I think spending a great deal of money just to be put on pills is not what you’re most interested in.

According to St. Faustina’s diary, a lack of trust in God offends Him. As such, I think all of us who fall into this sin should take steps to avoid it. Perhaps, in your case, it would be useful to meditate on the wonderful things He’s done in your life, whether something highly personal, or just looking out at His creation and seeing how much He cares for you. We think so much of people who bring us flowers, but what about God, who made the flowers out of nothing just to tell us that He loves us? Knocking might be a sign of something bad, but what about the hundreds of thousands of signs from God which absolutely point to His great love and His great mercy? How often do we take those for granted? Here’s something to watch on this topic: youtube.com/watch?v=uA8QuMtMysQ

We will soon enough be entering the Year of Mercy, and what a great thing it would be if all of us increased our devotion to the Divine Mercy in preparation for it. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to do that as well.
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I really appreciate this. It comes down exactly to needing to trust God.

I didn’t mean anything personal to Brigid I’m just disappointed by how often both this forum and people in real life jump to recommending psychiatry. I mean we should all listen to each other first then suggest it only if absolutely necessary. I think any sane human might be mildly shaken by what happened to me. Of course I dismissed the “three knocks” belief at first, but anyone would be rattled if someone they loved did pass away shortly after, if they had just read about the 3 knocks belief.

I am trying your suggestions. Trust in God and gratitude. I can’t control the future. I need not be paranoid. Yet if God calls someone I love home soon that is His will so no need to be afraid.
 
Casilda said:
I had never heard of this superstition. My mom was superstitious, my dad was not, so I generally took my dad’s side on observations. That said…

On the night my mom had a massive stroke and brain bleed, I got a call from the doctor regarding end of life issues. I had to go back to bed, planning to wake up early and head to the airport to be there. Sometime in that twilight between sleep and wakefulness I heard three, loud distinct knocks. I bolted up in bed. I was home alone, all was quiet. No one at the door. When I realized that it was my mom saying goodbye I cried and started praying. I was at peace, she let me know she had gone.
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Thanks for sharing this personal story.
I’m glad you were at peace.
I think I’m at peace now because if the knocks thing is true at times or not I need not be afraid. God calls people home at His appointed time.
 
take this from someone raised in a multicultural household ranging from appalachian/native dad to rom/jewish mom the superstions abounded but superstitions are just not true the three knocks or dogs howling or a bird flying in the house or the death watch beetle are all common death omens i found that superstitions only have power if you give them power. just like say someone gives you an object and claims its cursed if you believe it you put power behind it if you dont its harmless most of the time
 
Stillsosola said:
take this from someone raised in a multicultural household ranging from appalachian/native dad to rom/jewish mom the superstions abounded but superstitions are just not true the three knocks or dogs howling or a bird flying in the house or the death watch beetle are all common death omens i found that superstitions only have power if you give them power. just like say someone gives you an object and claims its cursed if you believe it you put power behind it if you dont its harmless most of the time
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Okay thanks. I think I’ve mostly snapped out of it. Well I am nervous because my sister was injured by a car yesterday, but she only has minor injuries. I was just nervous one might get worse. But I need to not worry and put it in God’s hands.
 
LuciaPacifici said:
I really appreciate this. It comes down exactly to needing to trust God.

I didn’t mean anything personal to Brigid I’m just disappointed by how often both this forum and people in real life jump to recommending psychiatry. I mean we should all listen to each other first then suggest it only if absolutely necessary. I think any sane human might be mildly shaken by what happened to me. Of course I dismissed the “three knocks” belief at first, but anyone would be rattled if someone they loved did pass away shortly after, if they had just read about the 3 knocks belief.

I am trying your suggestions. Trust in God and gratitude. I can’t control the future. I need not be paranoid. Yet if God calls someone I love home soon that is His will so no need to be afraid.
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Yeah, but there were probably times prior to hearing the superstition that you heard 3 knocks, you didn’t think anything of it, and nobody died. It’s like the folks who happen to not get on an airplane because they ‘have a bad feeling.’ Ok, how many folks have gotten off of aircraft for that reason and… nothing happened to the airplane. We don’t hear about those folks. Or, the folks like me who get on the aircraft anyway and… as you’ve probably guessed… nothing happens. I’ve heard all kinds of knocks and noises, bumps, creaking of beams/floorboards and-- they’re completely random. I might notice/remember things around the times folks died or were injured-- but when I do I’m probably disregarding all the times I heard similar things and … nothing happened.

BTW- here’s what catechism says about superstition

2110 The first commandment forbids honoring gods other than the one Lord who has revealed himself to his people. It proscribes superstition and irreligion. Superstition in some sense represents a perverse excess of religion; irreligion is the vice contrary by defect to the virtue of religion.

2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.41

2138 Superstition is a departure from the worship that we give to the true God. It is manifested in idolatry, as well as in various forms of divination and magic.
 
styrgwillidar said:
Yeah, but there were probably times prior to hearing the superstition that you heard 3 knocks, you didn’t think anything of it, and nobody died. It’s like the folks who happen to not get on an airplane because they ‘have a bad feeling.’ Ok, how many folks have gotten off of aircraft for that reason and… nothing happened to the airplane. We don’t hear about those folks. Or, the folks like me who get on the aircraft anyway and… as you’ve probably guessed… nothing happens. I’ve heard all kinds of knocks and noises, bumps, creaking of beams/floorboards and-- they’re completely random. I might notice/remember things around the times folks died or were injured-- but when I do I’m probably disregarding all the times I heard similar things and … nothing happened.

BTW- here’s what catechism says about superstition

2110 The first commandment forbids honoring gods other than the one Lord who has revealed himself to his people. It proscribes superstition and irreligion. Superstition in some sense represents a perverse excess of religion; irreligion is the vice contrary by defect to the virtue of religion.

2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.41

2138 Superstition is a departure from the worship that we give to the true God. It is manifested in idolatry, as well as in various forms of divination and magic.
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The logical part of me knows that I probably just became aware of the 3 distinct knocks since I read about the superstition. That’s why I was unmoved the first time I heard it. I was shaken up only after losing my cousin like that and all the emotions it brought up.

I know being superstitious is a sin and doesn’t show the right resort for God 😦 I’m starting to just let it go and I appreciate everyone’s insights…
 
I personally don’t believe in superstitions though I can say that after my dad passed away almost two years ago, my mother and I have heard those 3 knocks in the middle of the night. Sometimes, sounds like someone at the door. Other times she’ll hear it on her bookshelf in her bedroom, or I’ll hear it in my bedroom. Sometimes it wakes me up, other times I am awake and distinctly hear it. Doesn’t occur every night, but usually once a week or so one of us will hear it. We don’t know what to make of it, is it good, bad or just a thing that happens?
 
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