I am a born-again Christian. I have been wearing a St. Bernadette medal because I like her.I don't pray to the saints or any other false idol but my sister says that is what I am doing. I don't expect anything from the Saint herself, I just like it to remember to remain humble, remember those who do good, maybe have a blessing by doing so from God. Who is correct? Am I wrong or blasphemous to wear a medal?
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Catholic Medals
- Thread starter mleigh003
- Start date
Whether you ask saints to intercede or not, you just described why Catholics wear medals. So if you think Catholics are blasphemous, you better rip that medal off right now. Otherwise.....
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D
DiligentlySeekingGod
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OP, I'm not sure. I suggest talking to your Pastor. You need to pray about it too.
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-Kyriaki-
seeking answers in stillness
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Vasallus, that isn't helpful.
mleigh:
You're not setting her up as an idol by wearing the medal any more than having a picture of a great Christian (like an Apostle, or one of the Reformers) around is an idol or wearing a t-shirt with a favourite band. The medal is an expression of your personality and a reminder to you for your faith. As long as that's the view you have, you should have no problem reconciling that with your faith.
On the other hand, vasullus is right in that the reasons you wear it are no different to ours. We honour the Saints in what we wear and the pictures (icons) we have around, and the way we treat those things, because they remind us of the person, remind us to be holy. We do ask the Saint to pray for us, but nothing more than that - even if we directly say 'please help x happen' the implication is that they will ask God for that on our behalf and join in our prayers to Him.
I wouldn't think that there are any problems with you wearing the medal from either perspective, although if that's the view you have towards yourself wearing the medal, understanding why we do it too (and maybe re-evaluating whether its blasphemy or not) might be a good thing
mleigh:
You're not setting her up as an idol by wearing the medal any more than having a picture of a great Christian (like an Apostle, or one of the Reformers) around is an idol or wearing a t-shirt with a favourite band. The medal is an expression of your personality and a reminder to you for your faith. As long as that's the view you have, you should have no problem reconciling that with your faith.
On the other hand, vasullus is right in that the reasons you wear it are no different to ours. We honour the Saints in what we wear and the pictures (icons) we have around, and the way we treat those things, because they remind us of the person, remind us to be holy. We do ask the Saint to pray for us, but nothing more than that - even if we directly say 'please help x happen' the implication is that they will ask God for that on our behalf and join in our prayers to Him.
I wouldn't think that there are any problems with you wearing the medal from either perspective, although if that's the view you have towards yourself wearing the medal, understanding why we do it too (and maybe re-evaluating whether its blasphemy or not) might be a good thing
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I would agree
Blue Letter Bible - Search Results for KJV
(pastors)
occurs 8 times in 8 verses in the KJV
1 time used in NT:
KJV) Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors/poimenaV <4166> and teachers;
4166. poimen poy-mane' of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):--shepherd, pastor.
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Dorothea
One of God's handmaidens
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Well, imo, no, you're not. The Saints are part of our family. So, just as we carry pictures of our loved ones in our wallets, carrying sometimes pics of our children in lockets around our necks, it is no different to me if you wear a locket or medal of a Saint - a brother or sister in Christ. To me, it shows Christlike love for Him through your honor and love of your neighbor.
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Vasallus - I'm sorry if I didn't clarify my position enough - I meant that I respect St. Bernadette and her cause and her life. I meant I wasn't wearing the medal out of disrespect, I was just informed that it was.
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Rhamiel
Member of the Round Table
someone tried to tell you that you were worshiping something?
wow
the Pride is horrible!
they think they know better then you who you worship!
the medal reminds us of the saint, like someone else in this thread said, it is like carrying a photo in your wallet
God bless you sister
wow
the Pride is horrible!
they think they know better then you who you worship!
the medal reminds us of the saint, like someone else in this thread said, it is like carrying a photo in your wallet
God bless you sister
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I don't honestly know. I just have faith and respect all. I never meant for anything to be blaspemous or anything. I just believe in faith and respect. It seems like I can't win....
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sunlover1
Beloved, Let us love one another
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Praise God!
Interesting. I have a medal that was given to me and it's sitting in my art studio, Not sure what to do with it, I don't wear them, but then again, I don't
like to wear a necklace much.
I don't think you're praying to anyone, since you just said you're not lol.
Perhaps she's a bit confused..
Why would God bless someone for wearing a medal of another person?
Perhaps neither is correct.
Perhaps she's wrong in saying you're praying to some woman.
Perhaps you're wrong wearing the medal ...
What does the Bible say about it?
God bless you!
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You will find that if you are Catholic--or in your case, appear to be Catholic--certain people suddenly somehow know exactly what you believe, even better than you do! I suppose they acquire mind-reading powers or something. Of course, it would help if they were ever correct in their mind-reading. It is neither wrong nor blasphemous to wear a medal for the reasons you have stated. It would be wrong if it was out of pride or if you think it contains magical powers or something. But that's not your reason, so it's not wrong.
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Zeek
Follower of Messiah, Israel advocate and Zionist
and yet it seems there are indeed medals that some Catholics wear that apparently are imbued with special powers/graces.
TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC: Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
What may be an innocent object of encouragement to one, may be thought to be some sort of religious talisman with others.
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Rick Otto
The Dude Abides
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Yeah, there definitely is a problem of perspective.
You have to decide if your indulging in this liberty is worth invoking sanctimony.
If I was you, I'd get used to forgiving people for being shallow & condemning.
You have to decide if your indulging in this liberty is worth invoking sanctimony.
If I was you, I'd get used to forgiving people for being shallow & condemning.
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