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Are You Superstitious?
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January 14, 2021
Recently, I saw a picture displaying a gold colored Italian horn on a necklace posted on a social media (Facebook) page with a woman’s proud comment that it was her Christmas present. Some of the admiring comments by viewers gave me time to think of superstitions. Tourists who go to Italy may see Italians wearing the Italian horn around their necks as an ornament or as a good luck charm to ward off the evil eye.
Years ago, I recall an incident with the internationally known priest with the gift of healing named Fr. Di Orio. Since I attended some of his healing services, I remember his comment to the people in the pews. He said, Do not come up for healing prayers if you are wearing an Italian horn. He was adamant about this object of evil and the dangers of dabbling with the occult.
My grandmother (Polish side of the family) read tea leaves according to my mother.
The practice of reading tea leaves for insights was popular during the 19th century when fascination with the occult thrived.
So why do people get involved with the ancient practices of divination? Danny Jorgensen, professor of religious studies at the University of South Florida, says, "It works for them. Not in any sense verifiable by standard scientific methods, but in the sense that divinatory practices are intended to yield results that people find meaningful and apply to their existence."
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/01/434621010/for-centuries-people-have-searched-for-answers-in-the-bottom-of-a-tea-cup
The following editorial concerning divination is quoted below from the Rhode Island Catholic (the official newspaper of the Diocese of Providence). September 7, 2017
The Sin of Divination
In his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis explains that “faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness but a lamp that guides our steps in the night.” Entrusting oneself to God in faith is perhaps never more difficult than in times of grief and loss. Barrington Police Chief John LaCross was recently featured in the media, offering his own advice and counsel to those who have lost a loved one: consult a medium. The feature article went on to make a number of attempts to legitimize such a practice as acceptable and healthy.
Gone are the days of Johnny Carson’s “Carnac the Magnificent.” Late-night laughing at mediums and fortune tellers has been replaced today by popular cable TV shows like TLC’s “Long Island Medium.” Teresa Caputo, host of the show, claims to be a practicing Catholic. She, and those who watch the show, would do well to seek the mind of God on such matters. Our Catholic faith tells clearly of the misfortune in practicing such things.
In the Old Testament the practice of psychics and mediums is described quite bluntly as “an abomination.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that “all forms of divination are to be rejected” and that these “conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (CCC, #2116).
The first commandment of God states:
I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.
Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. (Exodus 20:3-4)
I along with many Catholics wear a religious medal or scapular as a sign of our faith.
From my youth, I recall many types of religious paraphernalia such as scapulars, candles, novenas, the rosary, holy cards, and medals.
Is it superstitious to think that blessed medals give you special protection?
A priest answered that question on an internet posting:
It would be a matter of superstition if we believed that a piece of metal had the power to protect us from harm, but this is not what we believe. It is only the power of God that can protect us. At times God has revealed either directly or through one of his saints that he will grant protection or healing by the wearing of a medal that represents our faith in his love for us.
Numerous articles are posted on The Internet concerning the proper use of sacramentals such as blessed salt, rosary beads, holy water, and St. Benedict medals.
I often times pray to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost things, to help me find lost objects. This intercessory prayer is another way to align myself with the will of God and to thank Him for his blessings and assistance. It is not a magic formula, like the irreverent jingle-prayer, “Tony, Tony look around; something’s lost and must be found” that I remember hearing in my childhood.
In conclusion, superstitions can be dangerous to our physical and spiritual well being; whereas sacramentals can keep us on the right path towards heaven if used properly.