Superstition or Folk religion within the CC?

[Link0126]

I do not think that it is pandering. I think that we have a moral obligation to go out and share the truth with everybody, being is a Catholic is not like belonging to a members only club.

If a Catholic bookstore operated their business on the premise of what Protestants would think when they came in to browse it would cease to be a “Catholic” Bookstore. You’d have to get rid of every crucifix, vial of holy water, and icon you could find. Why? so they don’t laugh at our “superstitions”? Catholicism is the universal Church and the Church has an obligation to spread the truth. A bookstore exists to sell books and merch to people who are interested in buying them. I think you may be confusing the two.

 

[Cristiano]

If a Catholic bookstore operated their business on the premise of what Protestants would think when they came in to browse it would cease to be a “Catholic” Bookstore. You’d have to get rid of every crucifix, vial of holy water, and icon you could find. Why? so they don’t laugh at our “superstitions”? Catholicism is the universal Church and the Church has an obligation to spread the truth. A bookstore exists to sell books and merch to people who are interested in buying them. I think you may be confusing the two.

Did I say that we have to renounce our traditions? I think that you are mixing things up, it seem that you are not interested in the conversion of non-Catholics. The problem is not with protestants or Catholics but with ignorant people. Remember that the first curse that the Church is trying to eliminate is the curse of ignorance. Over time the Church had to reign in faithfuls that turned traditional devotions into superstitious activities, sometime Catholics can be more ignorant and more misguided than protestants.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I would strongly encourage you to read the following booklet about sacramentals. It is an old publication (1936) but is a good summary for people that want an introduction to understanding them.

Sacramentals

This is a very good resource! Thank you.

Yes, there are some objects that can reflect more superstition than the supernatural. Some Catholics get all hung up on the externals. Some non-Catholics profit from selling these “charms,” such as the St. Joseph statue that you mentioned. I’ve heard that real estate agents recommend them to anyone selling their house! Of course it doesn’t work that way. The blessing doesn’t come FROM the object, but it may flow THROUGH the sacramental. Otherwise, the blessing or action comes from our Saints or from Jesus. I have had to think about this issue myself. It comes up frequently from non-Catholics who think we have superstitious practices.

 

[Link0126]

Did I say that we have to renounce our traditions? I think that you are mixing things up, it seem that you are not interested in the conversion of non-Catholics. The problem is not with protestants or Catholics but with ignorant people. Remember that the first curse that the Church is trying to eliminate is the curse of ignorance. Over time the Church had to reign in faithfuls that turned traditional devotions into superstitious activities, sometime Catholics can be more ignorant and more misguided than protestants.

actually, I think I used the quote function wrong. I was actually replying to the OP’s idea that the bookstores shouldn’t sell those types of thing b/c of what protestants might think. And yes, you are correct: I really don’t care what Protestants think when they enter a Catholic bookstore.

 

[tabycat]

I agree, and it is wise of you to notice these things, CreekCrawler. Here’s a few more that stick in my craw:

• Statues of St. Joseph that are packaged with directions for burying it in order to sell your house.
• I’ve seen pamphlets in churches with a novena prayer to St. Jude that is “never known to fail.” If you pray the novena prayer for nine days and leave nine copies of this prayer in a church on each day, you will get whatever you are praying for. These really offend me because I feel that it mocks St. Jude and prayer itself.

These things often begin at a grassroots level, so I imagine it is quite difficult for the Vatican to root them out entirely. Often they might begin as more of an ethnic tradition, but somehow warp into a superstition. Also, in my experience, Catholic stores are owned privately, so the Church doesn’t really have authority to regulate what the sell. The best defense against superstitions that appear religious are for Catholics to be properly educated in our faith so we have the ability to discern.

Best wishes for your RCIA experience!

I’ve seen the St Joseph’s statues advertised in seculare media. It goes at least as far back as the 1920’s and '30’s. Back then you buried the statue by the house you wanted to buy. :tiphat:

 

[CreekCrawler]

I was actually replying to the OP’s idea that the bookstores shouldn’t sell those types of thing b/c of what protestants might think. And yes, you are correct: I really don’t care what Protestants think when they enter a Catholic bookstore.

IMO this is a horrible attitude. First of all I never said anything about protestants and what they think… I said non-Catholics.
It is the teaching of the Catholic Church that their is NO SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. So, you stating that you do not care what people think when they come into a Catholic establishment is disturbing.
I would think that it would be a priority to make the gospel message clear, above all things… and certainly above mindless superstitions.

 

[fbl9]

Of course God can do whatever he wants.
But to just make up attributes to a medal without warrant… without God declaring it as a fact, through His word or His Church is not only dishonest, but dangerous… on several levels.
imho

EDIT : of course my opinion is that of someone without much education in the CC… I’m learning so I hope this post was not offensive…

no offense taken.
Do you know personally such things haven’t happened to to people who have said medal? How is God going to declare it?
Do you feel the same way about pilgrimage locals, ie Lourdes, et al?

 

[Cirdan_XII]

no offense taken.
Do you know personally such things haven’t happened to to people who have said medal? How is God going to declare it?
Do you feel the same way about pilgrimage locals, ie Lourdes, et al?

I have brought bcak many items from various pilgrimages, including rosaries, small statues, prayer cards and such. The earliest going back tzo my First Holy Communion. Some of these I had blessed.

The difference is that these items do not in themselves offer any protection or help, but can serve as reminders of the need to pray or can help me concentrate or channel my prayer. Burying a medal to protect my house is thus humbug, but keeping it in my wallet as a reminder at times when I would not otherwise be thinking of prayer is quite something dfifferent.

 

[CreekCrawler]

no offense taken.
Do you know personally such things haven’t happened to to people who have said medal? How is God going to declare it?

Through the authority of the Church.

 

[Todd_Easton]

My question is about what seems to me to be ‘superstitions’, or ‘folk religion’ that is prevalent in Catholicism ( in my mind ).
For example, this pamphlet I picked up at a Catholic gift store on the Jubilee medal of St. Benedict. To quote just a fraction :
“…Buried within a foundation calls down God’s blessing and the power of St. Benedict.”
“It wards off from both the soul and body all dangers arising from the devil”
“The medal is powerful in attaining for sinners the grace needed for conversion.”
“…a means of protection against contagious diseases.”
“…a protection against storms and tempest on land or sea.”
Etc. etc…

Attributing supernatural benefits to objects associated with Christian saints in nothing new.

so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his [St. Paul’s] body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. (Acts 19:12)

However, selling such blessed objects is probably a form of sinful simony. (See Acts 8:18-24)

I don’t think there is anything sinful in selling a medal that when it is later blessed by prayer of the Church (by a Catholic priest) can afford such supernatural benefits.

 

[CreekCrawler]

Attributing supernatural benefits to objects associated with Christian saints in nothing new.

so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his [St. Paul’s] body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. (Acts 19:12)

However, selling such blessed objects is probably a form of sinful simony. (See Acts 8:18-24)

I don’t think there is anything sinful in selling a medal that when it is later blessed by prayer of the Church (by a Catholic priest) can afford such supernatural benefits.

But the question is, who is to say when a priest blesses a medal it suddenly has these specific properties, and on what authority did they come up with the list ?

 

[fbl9]

But the question is, who is to say when a priest blesses a medal it suddenly has these specific properties, and on what authority did they come up with the list ?

Did you try googling this medal
it does seem to have quite the history.

 

[Todd_Easton]

But the question is, who is to say when a priest blesses a medal it suddenly has these specific properties, and on what authority did they come up with the list ?

The list seems to be based on the prayer used by the priest in the name of the Church to bless the medals.

I don’t know if the wording of this particular blessing is found in the current Roman Ritual (Book of Blessings) but here is an example at least from the past.
31. BLESSING OF MEDALS OF ST. BENEDICT

(Formerly reserved to the Order of St. Benedict)

The priest who is to bless the medals of St. Benedict says:

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.

I cast out the demon from you, creature medals, by God the Father
almighty, who made the heavens and the earth and the seas and all
that they contain. May all power of the adversary, all assaults
and pretensions of Satan, be repulsed and driven afar from these
medals, so that they may be for all who will use them a help in
mind and body; in the name of the Father + almighty, of Jesus +
Christ, His Son, our Lord, of the Holy + Spirit, the Advocate,
and in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge
both the living and the dead and the world by fire.
All: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our
Father (the rest inaudibly until: )

P: And lead us not into temptation.

All: But deliver us from evil.

P: Save your servants.

All: Who trust in you, my God.

P: Let us find in you, Lord, a fortified tower.

All: In the face of the enemy.

P: The Lord will give strength to His people.

All: The Lord will bless His people with His peace.

P: Lord, send us aid from your holy place.

All: And watch over us from Sion.

P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, lavish dispenser of every good, we humbly ask that
by the prayers of St. Benedict you pour out your blessing + on
these sacred medals, impressed with letters and signs ascribed to
you. Let all who will wear them with hearts intent on good works
deserve to obtain health of mind and body, your holy grace, and
the indulgences that have been granted to us. And may they escape
by your merciful help all attacks and wiles of the devil, and
finally appear in your presence sinless and holy; through Christ
our Lord.
All: Amen.

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, who willed in redeeming the whole world to be
born of a Virgin, to be circumcized, rejected by the Jews,
betrayed with a kiss by Judas, bound in chains, crowned with
thorns, pierced with nails, crucified between robbers, wounded
with a lance, and to die at last on the cross; I humbly ask, by
this your sacred passion, that you expel all attacks and wiles of
the devil from the person who devoutly calls on your holy name,
using these words and signs ascribed to you. May it please you to
lead him (her) to the harbor of everlasting salvation, you who
live and reign forever and ever.
All: Amen.

May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you forever.
All: Amen.

The priest sprinkles the medals with holy water. (source)

 

[CreekCrawler]

Thanks Todd… point taken.