Would you correct a well-meaning friend publicly (i.e. on Facebook)?

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seagal

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Every now and then items show up on my news feed that are problematic, as I’m sure most of you do too. Usually I ignore them. This morning it was something a friend shared publicly, someone I know is a very faithful Catholic and should know better. It was this
Today begins the novena of the Virgin Mary of Fatima. Pray for it. It is quite a wonder worker. When you receive this message pray a Hail Mary and make your special request. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed Art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for our sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen! [your request]. Please do not break the novena; copy and paste within the hour. Amen
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There are several problems with this post. First of all, this particular Novena is actually done May 5th to 13th, the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. Second, this is a chain not a novena. Third, there is a mistake in the prayer (“our sinners” instead of “us sinners”). And lastly it has the feeling of superstition (pray this prayer and your request will be granted – as long as you re-post within an hour).

So my question is, how would you handle this? Point out to your friend the problem with this post? The down side would be possibly making her feel stupid. Or ignore it and let her continue in a superstitious practise?
 
Does the friend do this often? I’d be tempted to let it go if is only occasionally. She may have just clicked share without reading it properly.

I would private message her, most people would prefer to be corrected privately and I don’t think the public part of facebook is the right way to go, other people might start getting involved then.
 
She reposts Catholic and Christian messages often but they’re not usually a problem. Mostly it’s in line with Catholic dogma.
 
You could always send her a private message first before going to the public forum. 🙂
 
Yes I would probably send a private message rather than public. I guess I was thinking that saying something publicly would also inform other people reading the post.
 
I would just ignore it and let it go. If it were continuous maybe a private message but it’s not worth losing or damaging a friendship over, IMO.
 
Either ignore it or send her a private message. If she’s a good enough friend, call her.

I witnessed a public correction of someone one facebook & it made me uncomfortable. I didn’t even know the person being corrected, but I know the one doing the correcting. I think he should have deleted her post & talked with her privately.
 
Another great reason to permanently delete your Facebook, best thing I did, especially during an election year
 
Private message. This is why people of other faiths misunderstand our teaching on Our Lady and prayers.
 
It appears that everyone in this thread are acute in following the 8th commandment.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a8.htm

snippet
**2477 **Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.278 He becomes guilty:
  • of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them;279
**2479 **Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.

If the friend is corrected publicly, a sin of detraction may potentially be committed.
 
I would consider waiting a bit of time, and then making a public post, not directed at anyone in particular, about the phenomenon of this sort of superstitious prayer, and that it’s just not the way we should approach prayer in a meaningful way.
 
seagal said:
Yes I would probably send a private message rather than public. I guess I was thinking that saying something publicly would also inform other people reading the post.
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Your right, many do need to be informed. You didn’t mention any names so no harm done. God Bless, Memaw
 
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