Although many Catholics have never heard of a talisman or amulet, most are familiar with the practice of invoking the intercession of the saints. As you can imagine, great problems would arise in the Church if the two practices were combined together. When it's not possible to tell the difference between the occult practice of invoking spiritual powers from talismans and amulets, and the Catholic practice of invoking spiritual powers from religious objects, the faithful would be in serious danger.

According to one metaphysical website, an amulet or talisman is an object charged with spiritual power that can be used for protection against evil, or to attract romance and wealth into a person's life. To ritually charge an object with supernatural power, all a person needs to do is place the object on an altar and "visualize a beam of light" coming from the heavens through his or her hands into that object.¹

After the object has been charged with power from unknown spiritual entities, it can then be used in a number of ways. For example, the Saint Anthony talisman has the power to help people find lost articles. According to one voodoo practitioner's website, "If you wish something returned to you, turn an image of Saint Anthony upside down by a Saint Anthony candle. Carry the amulet and pray to Saint Anthony until your request is granted."²

If you want to make your enemies disappear, the Saint Expedite talisman is recommended. According to the same voodoo practitioner's website, "Many folks write their desire in the background of a Saint Expedite image and turn it on its head (upside down) while burning a candle."³

Other websites have been selling occult books along with Catholic images, icons, and prayer cards. The occult books include white and black magic, charms, spells, formulas, divination, rootwork, tarot, and other forms of magic. The Catholic products listed on the same website include: The Infant of Prague—to be used during time of crisis, Our Lady of Fatima—to be used for political aid, Saint Christopher—to prevent accidents, Saint Joseph—for those who wish to sell real estate.⁴

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church in section 2683, Catholics can and should ask for the saints' intercession, but it's important to understand the difference between asking the saints to pray on our behalf, and trying to invoke supernatural powers from religious objects. The healthy way to pray in communion with the saints is to keep our prayers focused on God. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church in section 2664, "There is no other way of Christian prayer than Christ. Whether our prayer is communal or personal, vocal or interior, it has access to the Father only if we pray in the name of Jesus."

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the proper way to pray in "communion with the saints" is to keep our prayer focused on God. Once we have opened a direct line of communication with God, we can then ask the saints to pray for us, or we can join our prayers together with the saints' prayers, thus praying in "communion with the saints" to God.

When Catholics cross the line and start praying directly to spiritual entities other than the Blessed Trinity, they open themselves up to demonic influence through the sin of idolatry. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church in section 2113, the sin of idolatry is committed anytime we try to seek spiritual blessings from a creature, whether that be angels or saints, in place of God: "Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God."

When Catholics use a talisman, amulet, or any other religious article in an attempt to invoke supernatural powers from unknown spiritual entities, fallen angels (who like to impersonate the real saints) have the right to manifest their powers through that object. When this happens, the real Saint Anthony may be up in heaven asking God to send the necessary graces so that the person will turn away from idol worship, but God will never violate a sinful person's free will.

The spiritual laws of the universe have already been set in place. God has already given the Church the Ten Commandments along with the specific instructions: "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me."⁵

Whenever a person disobeys God's commands and commits the sin of idolatry as defined in the Catechism, fallen angels have the right to interfere with that person's spirituality. Once the door to the demonic has been opened, it is very difficult for that person to enter into an authentic relationship with the Blessed Trinity.

If in the event you have been invoking the saints' intercession in an inappropriate manner, it would be a good idea to visit the Sacrament of Reconciliation and make a complete act of contrition by denouncing such practices. Afterward, it will be important for the salvation of your soul to spend the necessary amount of time developing an authentic relationship with the Blessed Trinity.

 

Scripture Passages to Set the Captives Free

 

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." — 1 John 5:21

"Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it." — Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2117

"Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God." — 1 Corinthians 6:9–10

For more information please visit Saint Joseph Capsule to Sell Real Estate.