Not everything that seems spiritual is compatible with the Catholic faith. Catholic influencer Damián Rodríguez warns about six popular beliefs that, although they may seem closely related to Christianity, are incompatible with the Church’s teachings.
In a video posted on his social media accounts, Rodríguez explains that we can often adopt New Age ideas or fall into superstition without realizing it. That is why a deeper understanding of our faith is essential to distinguishing beliefs and practices that are incompatible with it.
Here are the six beliefs that, although they may seem right, do not align with the Catholic faith:
1. The Universe Will Grant Your Wish
The universe does not listen, has no will, and is not a personal being. We believe and trust in God, not in the universe.
2. Manifesting Something to Attract It, or the Law of Attraction
Christian prayer is not about manipulating reality but about trusting fully in God’s will. Nor do we believe that words have some magical quality that can attract things and change circumstances.
3. Good-Luck Charms
We do not believe that objects have power in themselves or that they can bring you good luck. Even Catholic sacramentals, such as a religious medal, a crucifix, or a rosary, have no power to give you good luck. Sacramentals direct us toward God.
4. Horoscopes or Astrology
Only God knows the future, and we do not believe that the stars have the power to determine your circumstances, change your reality, or predict your future.
5. Speaking Something into Existence
Our words cannot force reality to change or make our will come to pass. When we ask for something, we do so with humility and let God be God.
6. Prayer Chains
“Share this prayer a certain number of times to receive your miracle.” Prayer chains that claim repeating or sharing a prayer guarantees a miracle promote superstition and should not be practiced by Catholics.
This practice does not apply to novenas, the Rosary, or other devotions, whose prayer repetition encourages persistent prayer without guaranteeing an outcome. Prayer is a relationship of love with God, rooted in trust.
Knowing the Faith to Discern What Comes From God
Rodríguez concludes by reminding us that not everything that mentions “faith, God, the saints, angels, or energy” is necessarily compatible with the Catholic faith.
That is why knowing the Church’s teachings is essential to learning to distinguish between practices that help us live out our faith and those that can lead to superstition.
“Knowing our faith also means learning to distinguish what comes from God and what does not,” he concludes.