Posted on 03/27/2015 8:43:52 AM PDT by Salvation
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NECROMANCY
The art of divining the future through alleged communication with the dead. It was mentioned in the Bible and found in every ancient nation. It was forbidden by Mosaic law in any form, whether as alchemy, magic, or witchcraft. It is also forbidden by the Church. One reason is that the practice lends itself to dependence on the evil spirits who can pretend to foretell the future, but only to deceive and mislead the practitioners. In modern times it is called spiritism or spiritualism. (Etym. Greek nekros, corpse + manteia, divination; Latin necromantia.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
Necromancy — not to be confused with necrophilia.
No offense intended, but why wouldn’t praying to a saint like, say, Saint Francis of Assisi be necromancy?
BINGO!
If necromancy is defined as the art of divining the future through alleged communication with the dead; then praying to saints - excuse me - asking dead people to influence your future is no different.
Catholic Word of the Day Ping!
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Please read the definition again — this is about fortune telling, Satanism, etc. (The evil side)
We don’t pray “to” saints. This is a mistaken way of saying we ask the saints to pray for us.
Do you pray “to” your sister? Or do you ask your sister to pray for you?
Asking Our Lady of Fatima to pray for us. Very simple.
Thank you for your answers. Again, I meant no offense in the question. Just trying to understand is all.
- Megan
“we ask the saints to pray for us.”
I’m with MeganC in respect to her observation. And again, no offense or attack.
It’s seems “asking” dead people is communicating with dead people, ie necromancy.
And I know it is not done as some some sort of fortune telling seance sort of thing.
Be as gentle as lambs, but wise as wolves. This is not the same as asking a Saint, or an angel who stands before the throne of God, or another friend to assist by praying to God with you on your behalf. Please know the difference, and be careful of what is all around us in our culture!
God be with you!
God bless you!
Thank you for the post. There are some things that just need to be said. God bless you, and Mary keep you!
O Mother of God, Immaculate Mary, to thee do I dedicate my body and soul, all my prayers and deeds, my joys and sufferings, all that I am an all that I have. With a joyful heart I surrender myself to thy love. To thee will I devote my services of my own free will for the salvation of mankind, and for the help of the Holy Church whose Mother thou art.
From now on my only desire is to do all things with thee, through thee, and for thee. I know I can accomplish nothing by my own strength, whereas thou can do everything that is the will of thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thou are always victorious. Grant, therefore, O Helper of the Faithful, that my family, my parish, and my country might become in truth the Kingdom where thou reignest in the glorious presence God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen. [http://www.marypages.com/PrayerstoMary.htm]
Glorious Prince of the heavenly hosts and victor over rebellious spirits, be mindful of me who am so weak and sinful and yet so prone to pride and ambition. Lend me, I pray, thy powerful aid in every temptation and difficulty, and above all do not forsake me in my last struggle with the powers of evil. Amen. [http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=778]
Sigh!
This is different: pentagrams, ouija boards, tarot cards, séances... And worse.
Interesting. Thank you for posting that.
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
Glorious Prince of the heavenly hosts and victor over rebellious spirits, be mindful of me who am so weak and sinful and yet so prone to pride and ambition. Lend me, I pray, thy powerful aid in every temptation and difficulty, and above all do not forsake me in my last struggle with the powers of evil. Amen. [http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=778]
Catholics claiming that they only ask saints and Mary to pray for them is a total falsehood as can be seen by just those two prayers. There are many other listed online.
Worthy of repetition. To Jesus through Mary. Just as she interceded to her Son at Cana. Jesus, being God as well as man, knew there was no wine: yet He allowed His mother to intercede and to be the one to say to the servants in turn, "do as He tells you." This is Jesus and His mother.
Saul went to a witch to conjure the spirit of Samuel. She was terrified when she realized she had contacted a holy man, and Samuel chastised Saul for doing this. That was necromancy.
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