Catholic Word of the Day: VAIN OBSERVANCE, 02-20-15

CCDictionary ^ | 02-20-15 | Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary

[Salvation]

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VAIN OBSERVANCE

 

A form of superstition that tries to achieve a certain effect by the use of unsuitable means. Implicit in vain observance is the belief that there are hidden preternatural forces at work in the world which dispense with the need of using ordinary, natural, or supernatural means for obtaining a desired effect. Vain observance also implies the expectation of an infallible result whenever certain words are said or actions performed. There is only a shade of difference between vain observance and divination. In both cases reliance on the evil spirit in involved. But vain observance, unlike divination, is not concerned with obtaining knowledge of the future or of the occult. Its focus is on obtaining some external results, such as making a successful business deal or recovering one's health.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

[Salvation]

**A form of superstition that tries to achieve a certain effect by the use of unsuitable means.**

[OKSooner]

Could you give us an example or two?

[AnAmericanMother]

My favorite example is the custom of burying a statue of St. Joseph (upside down!) in the yard of a house you're trying to sell. Pure superstition. Ask St. Joseph nicely to intercede for you.

[OKSooner]

Holding a button on your shirt as you drive by a cemetery? Don’t ax how I know about this one...

[AnAmericanMother]

Or holding your breath as you drive by a cemetery.

Or rolling up your pants cuff if a black cat crosses your path . .

Those I think are really just garden-variety superstitions.

I think the "vain observance" has to have a specifically religious component . . . one of the most common is when Haitian Voudon or Latin American Santeria gets mixed up with Catholic practices.

And I think there also has to be a belief component - that you believe that a ceremony or recitation is somehow going to compel a saint or even God to do something for you. And that, at the core, is the difference between active magic and religious belief. With ceremonial magic, you order whatever-it-is around.

[OKSooner]

Okay, thanks for clarifying.

[Salvation]

How about Groundhog’s Day?

[Salvation]

I was thinking of the black cat superstition too, but I’ve never heard of rolling up your pants cuff.

[Salvation]

Crossing your finger?

[Salvation]

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Vain Observance

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[Salvation]

Crossing your fingers?