Sacramentals and Superstition

[smndtupidisaftr]

I’ve seen the term superstition fly around when discussing the benefits of sacramentals such as scapulars and holy water. I wanted to get a better idea of what exactly this refers to and how to separate the benefits derived from these sacramentals and superstition.

 

[Rosinante]

Interesting topic. I’m curious to read the (name removed by moderator)ut from the posters on here.

I’d volunteer this much–the first, most obvious distinction, IMO, comes in recognizing the source of the divinity sought to be partaken of. The same principle applies to icons. If one looks upon a statue of a saint, and believes that the statue is ‘magical’, that would constitute idolotry.

If one meditates upon the same statue, and contemplates on the example of faith that the saint depicted by the statue, in how (s)he lived his/her life, one is rightly using the icon to assist in meditation (and even pray to the saint, and asking the saint to intercede on his/her behalf, for obtaining grace from God–not from the saint). Note again however, that it it is certainly not the statue itself, form whence the grace prayed for, emits. I believe the same aplies wrt ‘Holy Water.’

Holy Water–as far as I know–can refer to either ordinary water which has been blessed, or water from a ‘thin place’ (as the Irish describe them), such as from Lourdes, Guadalupe, Fatima… In the former case, as i understand it, the ‘blessing’ comes from the Holy Spirit, through teh annointed hands of the Priest, and serves to sanctify–not in and of itself, but as a sign (almost sacramental–and actually sacramental, in the case of Baptism), as a conduit Holy Spirit, and his ‘power’. As for the latter case–and the scapular–I must confess to complete ignorance here (i have my ideas, but best not to just post for the sake of posting)–I’ll simply defer to other posters, look for recommended resources, and the like.

No pretense as authority here; JMHO. FWIW.

VIVAT JESUS!

 

[105lynne]

I’ve wondered the same thing… It seems like such a fine line between the two. My husband gets very uncomfortable when he sees Catholics kiss crucifixes. I’ll await for others to answer and help paint a clearer picture for us…

 

[MarcoPolo]

When the object itself is thought to be a source of divine power, then it’s superstitious. When the object is recognized as having a prayer attached to it or as a reminder or something that facilitates our prayers to God, then it would not cause a problem.

I base this on teachings such as this one when we use the icon of a saint to help us ask that saint for intercession:*CCC#2132 Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is.*In the same way, our “movement” toward a sacramental should not tend toward the object, but to divinity.

 

[wanabesaint]

sacraments and superstition, a major contrast of oposites

IN the event of emergency, eminent death to come, and in worse case senerio, even spit could be used to Baptise a person.

yet people want to take a Sacrament of Marriage, that which God invented himself and is recognized as in the Eyes of God, , and turn it into some kind of, Superstition

The Catholic Church, the Universal church is accredited to starting Universities, to educate the people, education, comes from exit from darkness.
that people might not be superstitious, but rather know and understand by Truth…

Todays socalled universities dispeal a great superstition of ignorance, and fleece the ignorant by charging them a huge fee to be dumbed up and ignorant.

Examples are endless of the great superstition that now exists, the federal reserve controls the economy, the borrowing money is now prudent, wars of revenge are good, abortion is a choice, and humans are smarter today than they were in the past, History just started in the last hundred or two years.

socialism, is good for the people dispite the Truth it strips away the freedom of the people
or, the maintaining of the existence of the terroristic state of israel.

basicly, the greatest two sins of parents today, are the sending their children off ot great instution with agendas that brain wash their children to superstition and ignorance, and the sending off ot fight unjustified wars.

 

[smndtupidisaftr]

When the object itself is thought to be a source of divine power, then it’s superstitious. When the object is recognized as having a prayer attached to it or as a reminder or something that facilitates our prayers to God, then it would not cause a problem.

I base this on teachings such as this one when we use the icon of a saint to help us ask that saint for intercession:CCC#2132 Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is.In the same way, our “movement” toward a sacramental should not tend toward the object, but to divinity.

I think I can see that then with reference to something like a scapular.

But what about with Holy Water? In another thread, there was a debate about the old versus the new blessing associated with it. Is there a difference in that water because of how it was blessed, or is holy water just simply that no matter how it was blessed?

 

[R_C]

But what about with Holy Water? In another thread, there was a debate about the old versus the new blessing associated with it. Is there a difference in that water because of how it was blessed, or is holy water just simply that no matter how it was blessed?

There is a difference between the old and new blessing, indeed. And since the traditional blessing can be used by all priests, it is to be hoped that it be the preferred form for blessing holy water. Check Fr. Z’s article (excerpts below) as well as this essay by Daniel G. Van Slyke, Assistant Professor at the Liturgical Institute of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

In the newer prayer, we pray that people have spiritual benefits, because we are invoking God’s blessing. The water is a symbol of those blessings.

In the older prayer something entirely different seems to be going on. The water is taken from the realm of the profane and made something of the sacred realm. Then the water is used to bring about the things we pray, through God’s power of course, but by the use of the water. Use of the water is a direct contradiction to the powers of evil who wish us harm.

Furthermore, the water which has been blessed has itself now a role in the blessing of other things. Consider the principle that something cannot give what it does not have.

So, my answer is, I know without question that when I bless water with the older rite, it is blessed water, holy water. I have never used – and never will use – the newer book. But were I to imagine myself to do such a thing, I am not sure what there would be in the bucket when I was done.

 

[awsiukiewicz]

sacraments and superstition, a major contrast of oposites

IN the event of emergency, eminent death to come, and in worse case senerio, even spit could be used to Baptise a person.

yet people want to take a Sacrament of Marriage, that which God invented himself and is recognized as in the Eyes of God, , and turn it into some kind of, Superstition

The Catholic Church, the Universal church is accredited to starting Universities, to educate the people, education, comes from exit from darkness.
that people might not be superstitious, but rather know and understand by Truth…

Todays socalled universities dispeal a great superstition of ignorance, and fleece the ignorant by charging them a huge fee to be dumbed up and ignorant.

Examples are endless of the great superstition that now exists, the federal reserve controls the economy, the borrowing money is now prudent, wars of revenge are good, abortion is a choice, and humans are smarter today than they were in the past, History just started in the last hundred or two years.

socialism, is good for the people dispite the Truth it strips away the freedom of the people
or, the maintaining of the existence of the terroristic state of israel.

basicly, the greatest two sins of parents today, are the sending their children off ot great instution with agendas that brain wash their children to superstition and ignorance, and the sending off ot fight unjustified wars.

 

[awsiukiewicz]

wannabesaint…I love you man…or…mam…ditto and everything you expressed…well said

 

[ConstantineTG]

I’ve seen the term superstition fly around when discussing the benefits of sacramentals such as scapulars and holy water. I wanted to get a better idea of what exactly this refers to and how to separate the benefits derived from these sacramentals and superstition.

Superstition is when you assign the powers to the objects themselves. If you believe you are protected from harm because of the medallion you are wearing, rather than God actively protecting you, then that is superstition. Surely holiness can manifest itself on matter and can be transferred via matter. You can see this in Acts when pieces of cloth were put on St. Paul and then taken to the sick for healing. But it is not the handkerchief itself that become holy, rather it is God’s holiness shining through St. Paul and being transferred by matter through the pieces of cloth. If one understands that this is the power of God, then it is not superstition.

 

[Glacies]

Sacramentals like the Brown Scapular or the Miraculous Medal should not be used as automatic ways to get into Heaven or substitutes of living up to our Faith. They should help us develop our relationship with and grow closer to God rather than force Him to do our bidding. “Not my will, but yours be done.” Giving Miraculous Medals or showing one’s Rosary to non-Catholics are nice ways of evangelization.

 

[MarcoPolo]

I think I can see that then with reference to something like a scapular.

But what about with Holy Water? In another thread, there was a debate about the old versus the new blessing associated with it. Is there a difference in that water because of how it was blessed, or is holy water just simply that no matter how it was blessed?

I think it’s holy water no matter how it was blessed. Whether or not an older prayer said over the water is “better” than a newer prayer is someone else’s judgment. I’d take any holy water I could get, honestly.