CS writes: "My wife's mother recently passed away after a long terrible bout with MS. Prior to her being debilitated with this disease, my wife tells me that she was into new age type beliefs. . .
JK asks: “Is Feng Shui compatible with Christianity? Isn’t it just about locating furniture and using wall colors that create the right vibe in a room?”
A Hamsa Hand charm with an evil eye.During her recent visit to the U.S., Meghan Markle was seen sporting an amulet known as a Hamsa Hand, a good luck charm that allegedly conveys protection and good luck on the wearer.
GM writes: "My mother and I got into a discussion about idolatry a few weeks ago. She seems to think that having pagan artwork in the home isn't idolatry, and I can't help but feel like it is, although the extent of it is a rendering of a buddha by my sister, and a couple buddha statues in opposite alcoves in our entryway. What is Church teaching regarding this?"
LR writes: "I heard that burying a statue of St. Joseph upside down in yard to sell a house is superstitious. What about putting St. Benedict medals in corners of a home for protection and blessing. Is this superstitious?"
SO writes: “I saw this doll advertised on a local channel. The webpage for it is scary. The ‘Warning’" are unsettling. Are they just scary fun? Or should we avoid bringing this into the house?”
SL writes: “So many of my friends are turned off to essential oils because of their link to witchcraft. I just don’t understand why it matters that witches use the same oils. What difference does that make?”
JB asks: “Is wishing on a shooting star new age or occulty? I personally don't but should we avoid brands that show their characters wishing on stars?”
St. Expeditus (WikiCommon: Piotr Rymuza)LB writes: “Is praying a novena to this saint okay? I’ve read different things about leaving an offering of pound cake and that some people that practice voodoo pray to this saint. So that concerns me and I don’t want to invite the wrong things into my life. I know he has a huge following in Brazil, but given that I’ve read different things about this saint, I wanted to be sure. Is he not considered a true saint because there is no historical record of an actual date of death? Please advise.”
After winning his sixth Super Bowl, it’s safe to say that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady knows how to win a lot of football games. But he doesn’t rely on grueling practices and tough workouts alone. Brady says he also relies on superstitious practices gleaned from his wife’s witchcraft to get ready for big games.
