Stand alone Benedict Medal vs. embedded in crucifix

[Vico]

Sacramentals work through the merits of the faithful.**

Modern Catholic Dictionary

****SACRAMENTAL. **Objects or actions that the Church uses after the manner of sacraments, in order to achieve through the merits of the faithful certain effects, mainly of a spiritual nature. They differ from sacraments in not having been instituted by Christ to produce their effect in virtue of the ritual performed. Their efficacy depends not on the rite itself, as in the sacraments, but on the influence of prayerful petition; that of the person who uses them and of the Church in approving their practice. The variety of sacramentals spans the whole range of times and places, words and actions, objects and gestures that, on the Church’s authority, draw not only on the personal dispositions of the individual but on the merits and prayers of the whole Mystical Body of Christ.

 

[Russ_of_Tokyo]

When I was a Protestant I also was convinced that God does not work through objects. And I would have called all Catholics superstitious nuts who used their medals like talismans (similar to what you have written here). Of course, I was wrong, and was unfairly misrepresenting the other view. But my mind was made up. Then the Bible forced me to re-think my position.

I have supplied large portions of the Bible plus testimonies from history to show you how God does indeed work through objects even when there is no faith in any of the participants.

Another good one is the story of Claude Newman

But it looks like you have made up your mind and have dug up lots of snippets from various sources to back up your position (this last one came from a dictionary?!) Sounds like proof texting to me, and your snippets are vague and don’t directly address the issue – in contrast with all the Bible accounts I gave.

All I can do for people who refuse to believe is to pray that God will open your eyes. No use in my typing any more messages.

And I have given up on getting any more answers to my original question (does anybody remember what it was?). I suspected this thread might get derailed because there are two opposing camps on this issue, and I might end up having to defend sacramentals to those who doubt.

Keep your snippets; my last word is the same as before:

Have a little more faith in what God has chosen to do via sacramentals which have been blessed by the Church.

 

[Vico]

When I was a Protestant I also was convinced that God does not work through objects. And I would have called all Catholics superstitious nuts who used their medals like talismans (similar to what you have written here). Of course, I was wrong, and was unfairly misrepresenting the other view. But my mind was made up. Then the Bible forced me to re-think my position.

I have supplied large portions of the Bible plus testimonies from history to show you how God does indeed work through objects even when there is no faith in any of the participants.

Another good one is the story of Claude Newman

But it looks like you have made up your mind and have dug up lots of snippets from various sources to back up your position (this last one came from a dictionary?!) Sounds like proof texting to me, and your snippets are vague and don’t directly address the issue – in contrast with all the Bible accounts I gave.

All I can do for people who refuse to believe is to pray that God will open your eyes. No use in my typing any more messages.

And I have given up on getting any more answers to my original question (does anybody remember what it was?). I suspected this thread might get derailed because there are two opposing camps on this issue, and I might end up having to defend sacramentals to those who doubt and won’t allow the other camp to have the last word.

Keep your snippets; my last word is the same as before:

Have a little more faith in what God has chosen to do via sacramentals which have been blessed by the Church.

You mind is made up. I was raised Catholic so I received training in the teachings of the Church from early on. They are Catholic references from the Vatican, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Also the Modern Catholic Dictionary is by John A. Hardon, S.J. (Doctorate in sacred theology, 1951.) ISBN-13: 978-0967298924 You can see that it has imprimature and Nihil Obstat if you look at a hardcopy.