The Evil Eye

[Shin]

You’re talking about the *malochi. *At least that’s what I was told it was in Italian growing up. I’ve seen the Portuguese do it too. It’s witchcraft. Normally its old bitter women who have gone so far into self-hate that they’ve risked becoming stale salt. Anything to do with the occult is condemned in the Catechism.

Those who are not “in the Church” do this kind of stuff when they get angry at each other. I don’t know if you’ve heard the saying, “Scratch a German and underneath you’ll find a barbarian.” This thought goes far beyond the Germans. It goes really for any appararently civilized people.

If someone gives you an evil eye. Don’t wear a stinking amulet. That is becoming an active participant in the occult. Instead see a priest if you feel your conscience is being besieged by an unknown messenger. I know some gumbatti that wear the gold sharks tooth. They claim it’s for good luck. I just think it’s dumb and it seperates you from Christ.

I wonder how large a problem the evil eye is?

 

[CB_Catholic]

I wonder how large a problem the evil eye is?

I was raised in an old Italian household, and the"maloit", as my grandmother called it, was a superstition that was taken fairly seriously. My great-grandmother was a rather unhappy and spiteful woman and, I have been told, cursed me with the evil eye when I was born for whatever reason. She used to swear at us in Italian. I never believed in the maloit, but even today I know some Italian people that do, and actually wear a charm to protect themselves against it, usually on the same chain as their Crucifix. I find this to be particularly abhorrent.

In any case, had there been any power in that curse, I am sure that my Baptism would have taken care of it, and although I have had some bad times in my life, I never felt any association with having been cursed, I just felt bad times are just a part of life and everyone has them sooner or later to some degree, and with the grace of God we live through them. Evil has no real power over a child of God, even though at times it may feel like it. Christ has ultimately defeated evil, and a Christian should live with that in mind.

 

[Sunflower15]

Well, I’m not sure that this will fall under the label of superstition…or maybe it’s a good alternative.

When I was a baby & toddler [even as a pre-schooler, actually], my mother would secure a tiny fabric square [that looked like a mini book] containing a prayer inside to my pijama shirt with a safety pin. I can still remember a feeling of comfort when she attached this every night to my night-shirt. We also prayed together…but somehow, knowing that a prayer was with me all night long, felt so good!

Is that superstition? Even if it’s a prayer?

I don’t think so, but I’m sure some people will:shrug:

 

[scapularkid8]

Well, I’m not sure that this will fall under the label of superstition…or maybe it’s a good alternative.

When I was a baby & toddler [even as a pre-schooler, actually], my mother would secure a tiny fabric square [that looked like a mini book] containing a prayer inside to my pijama shirt with a safety pin. I can still remember a feeling of comfort when she attached this every night to my night-shirt. We also prayed together…but somehow, knowing that a prayer was with me all night long, felt so good!

Is that superstition? Even if it’s a prayer?

I don’t think so, but I’m sure some people will:shrug:

Sounds just like the Mezuzah that Jews use (the small container on the entrance to their homes with the Shema Israel written on a parchment inside), or a Scapular, or medal: all are basically ‘wearable prayers’.

 

[German_Melkite]

Excuse me! I thought the discussion was on Italian superstitions.

Scratch a German and you find . . . .

Hobein
Bach
Brahms
Beethoven
Lang
Heidegger
Diesel
Einstein
Brecht
Goethe
and
a Ratzinger, and six other Popes

 

[Aramis]

Well, I’m not sure that this will fall under the label of superstition…or maybe it’s a good alternative.

When I was a baby & toddler [even as a pre-schooler, actually], my mother would secure a tiny fabric square [that looked like a mini book] containing a prayer inside to my pijama shirt with a safety pin. I can still remember a feeling of comfort when she attached this every night to my night-shirt. We also prayed together…but somehow, knowing that a prayer was with me all night long, felt so good!

Is that superstition? Even if it’s a prayer?

I don’t think so, but I’m sure some people will:shrug:

It’s no different than a scapular or crucifix: a symbolic representation specifically to be a reminder.

 

[LilyM]

Personally, I always thought burying a St. Joseph statue upside down in your yard to sell your house was a bit odd.

I never even heard of this custom until I read about it on CAF. My first thoughts were a) what did poor old St Joe ever do to deserve being buried? and b) why upside down? :hypno:

Surely putting him on your shelf, right way up, as a reminder to pray to him, would be every bit as useful

 

[Shin]

I was raised in an old Italian household, and the"maloit", as my grandmother called it, was a superstition that was taken fairly seriously. My great-grandmother was a rather unhappy and spiteful woman and, I have been told, cursed me with the evil eye when I was born for whatever reason. She used to swear at us in Italian. I never believed in the maloit, but even today I know some Italian people that do, and actually wear a charm to protect themselves against it, usually on the same chain as their Crucifix. I find this to be particularly abhorrent.

In any case, had there been any power in that curse, I am sure that my Baptism would have taken care of it, and although I have had some bad times in my life, I never felt any association with having been cursed, I just felt bad times are just a part of life and everyone has them sooner or later to some degree, and with the grace of God we live through them. Evil has no real power over a child of God, even though at times it may feel like it. Christ has ultimately defeated evil, and a Christian should live with that in mind.

Yes, a proper baptism contains an exorcism. The evil eye is scriptural and long attested to, so it is not superstition itself, though people can respond to it superstitiously.

A curse can affect even the best of Christians, though personal holiness is a great help in ii, it is not a guarantee. Not to cause you any concerns though, looks like you’re doing fine!