La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

Faith and Reason

Superstitious Customs?

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

Some Church customs like the use of medals, relics, and scapulars seem superstitious.

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

These objects – known as sacramentals – can help us to be more open to receiving God’s grace, especially through the sacraments. In the Bible, we find many examples of God using sacred objects to grant blessings.

And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”

Acts 19:11-12

God often builds up the “supernatural” through the use of the “natural.” Even so, people sometimes use sacramentals in superstitious ways. This is wrong and can be avoided by learning the story behind a particular sacramental and using it properly.

Other References: 2 Kgs 2:9-14, 13:20-21; Lk 8:44; CCC 1667-1673, 1677

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catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.