It begins with the call of God, the Pope said. And no, you dont have to be Catholic or even a Christian to put your faith in St. Joseph. The tradition to bury a St Joseph statue, and pray for his blessing, when you are trying to sell your house goes back to the 1500th century. If youre especially devout or just concerned about potentially disrespecting someone elses faith, consider just keeping the statue unburied in your home. The misuse of the St. Joseph statue belongs here, as do all religious items on the Internet that are alleged to bring good luck. It is actually an evil practice and we should be careful not to use religious articles superstitiously. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. upside down facing the house. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Interested in putting this tactic to the test? Catholic Online, Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience We dont know a lot about Joseph, except that he was a skilled craftsman and a good father. Amid the splendors of God's loving presence, do not forget the sorrows of whose who weep. There tends to be an abundance of lore around the figure of St. Joseph who is said to often appear in the nick of time to help the faithful when they run into carpentry challenges, for example. In addition, it is also believed that the statue will help to sell your house more quickly. It is alarming the rate in which new-age books and teachings are making their way into our pews. Cheryl Dickow is a Catholic publisher, author, and speaker. Think there might be a connection here? I will wash it up and put it in the house. This is superstitious nonsense. And, as you can probably guess by now, St. Joseph as he was a carpenter, although the Patron Saint of the Universal Church, is also seen as a Patron Saint of homes and, for the past few decades or more, home sales. Some bury him upside down, suggesting hell free himself by getting the house sold. For those who are interested in trying their hand at this long-held tradition, heres everything you need to know about burying a statue of St. Joseph to get your home sold. That is the reason why he always helped people find a house they were looking for and in that way help the people who need to sell their homes. For the subject at hand, one line will suffice: Let there not be found among you [a] charmer or caster of spells (Deuteronomy 18:10). When God brought his chosen people into the Promised Land, he warned them against such activities. Most attribute it to a group of nuns in the 1500's who prayed for property to build a convent on. I can only hope and pray that no Catholic has purchased this kit. Wed been in our new house for just a few weeks when my husband found a gallon-sized zippered bag buried in the backyard. But are we giving that impression? ", http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/prayer-to-st-joseph.html, enterrer une statue de saint Joseph pour vendre votre maison, Sotterrare la Statua di San Giuseppe per Vendere la Casa. Mary Regina Morrell, World Food Program Director on Lent Sign-up for E-NewsletterGet Register Updates sent daily or weeklyto your inbox. In the name of Christ I pray. ), so even if youre a skeptic, it might be worth a shot. Hello St-JosephStatue I just sold my house - and it's all thanks to St Joseph and his blessing. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I want you to help me now as you helped your foster-child Jesus, and as you have helped many others in the matter of housing. Next, wrap the statue in a clean, soft washcloth, or place it in a resealable plastic bag to protect it from dirt and damage. It is a downright violation of what the Catechism teaches on superstitions and thus very, very bad for the image of Catholics let alone the practitioner of such an act. Mary Regina Morrell, Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service If you believe in Magic you are believing in something false, but if you have faith through prayer, then you are believing in the one true God. This is likely because Joseph had to uproot his family several times and make a home in strange new lands, as the story goes. The Pope also covered ecumenism and migration, among other topics, in his in-flight presser on board the papal plane from Hungary to Rome. Amen.". Add the power of a top-performing agent to your home-selling prayers. Find an Agent. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 632,763 times. Does the statue need to be blessed when I'm burying it? Catholic Online, Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe Mary Regina Morrell, Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential It is said that St. Joseph blesses the person who is burying the statue and helps him find a new home just as he did for his family in Egypt. Hes back in the kitchen window, watching over my home, a good luck talisman who has earned his place of honor. Catholic Online, Three words to a deeper faith The most common tradition holds that you should bury the statue near the "For Sale" sign or near the road. How to Bury a St. Joseph Statue 1. Over the years, this role has evolved to also include home sales and real estate. Do you think the respectful thing to do would be to bury a symbol of him, such as a picture or a statue? Catholic Online, State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance? A Protestant pastor in our town who owns a Christian bookstore recently wrote a newspaper column in which he remarked about the large number of Catholics who come into his store seeking St.. Consider the widespread practice of burying St. Joseph statues on property in hopes of getting a buyer. No burying, no spells, no charms. Sign up if you would like to receive occasional treats from us. However, faith could play a role too, especially with the right intentions. You would put the symbol in a beautiful spot in your home. Saint Joseph, I am going to place you in a difficult position with your head in darkness and you will suffer as our Lord suffered, until this [house/property] is sold. I hope that you have a great day. Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection! Get a Free Home Value Estimate 3. Give a Gift SubscriptionBless friends, family or clergy with a gift of the Register. Most of the e-mails of this type include a picture of a religious object, which is said to possess special powers. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? The commonality of the experience gave rise to a tradition that has become part of home-selling folklore the act of burying a St. Joseph statue in the yard to help a house get sold. Some say that this tradition goes back from what is called the "degradation of the saints". St Josephs history has in many ways under the centuries kept to impress people. (It also seems more respectful.). Protect the statue by wrapping it in a towel or plastic bag to show reverence, and choose a place in your yard to bury it. Superstitious acts go against the Catholic beliefs. While the steps to following the tradition are relatively simple, religiously devout individuals might want to get their statues blessed by a priest or spiritual advisor before burial. Since the color red is associated with St. Josephs spiritual power, you can plant red flowers or add a splash of red on a door or mailbox. She has been a foster parent to many and also a god parent. Some people reportedly say threatening prayers demanding that the saint get their home sold, but ordinary humble prayers are more standard practice (and less foolish). Find top real estate agents in these similar cities, HomeLight has an A+ rating with the Between our actions of misunderstanding (burying statues for good luck) and our purchases of books, tapes, and CD's from sources outside of the Catholic Church, we are feeding the anti-Catholic machine. Now, what does the Catholic Church specifically teach about such practices as burying a St. Joseph statue to sell a home? Author and homeowner Erica Orloff describes herself as an atheist, or at least a very cynical agnostic, but she grew up with the traditions of her grandparents Catholic faith. Saint Joseph was Jesus earthly father, and raised Gods only son together with his wife, Virgin Mary. Bury Your St. Joseph Statue, and Partner With a Top Agent 2117). Bury the statue in the yard in the front of the house. It began in Europe with nuns at a Closter needed to expand their land, and after a prayer to St. Joseph they buried medals of him in the ground. And for many others there is a belief that we think we know enough about our faith to practice and preach it successfully. These are only the tip of the iceberg in regards to ways in which we grow and learn as Catholics because, of course, websites faithful to the teachings of the Magisterium offer a wealth of information as well. Plant some lilies in a flower bed, since they too are associated with the saint. Many such messages invoke the name of our Blessed Mother. ", and flowers. While there arent any scientific studies to determine the frequency of the practice, its anecdotally been relatively common over the past three decades, with some real estate agents even buying statues in bulk to give to their sellers. Readers of a certain age will remember receiving chain letters in the mail: anonymous accounts of how some recipients cashed in big time and had other good fortune after sending the letter on to 10 other people. It is believed that burying a statue of St. Joseph upside down in the ground will help your home sell faster. HomeLight, Inc. 100 1st Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA 94105. Renew or manage your subscription here. 5 hours later, while the real estate lady was putting up the sale Read more. I have not read anything that says the statue needs to be blessed. Under the years the tradition of burying a medal went to bury a statue with certain directions. Day Eight: Give shelter, O God, to those who need it, and bring together families divided. Learning Resources - Free printable resources for schools, parishes, and more. It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best agents in your market. Luck denotes a random, hit-or-miss element, which can be either good or bad. 1. This isn't being persecuted for His sake but being persecuted because we err in our ways. Get free, objective, performance-based recommendations for top real estate agents in your area. 2020 St-Josephstatue. So, what does one do with a previously owned statue of St. Joseph? Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. Heres an example of a prayer to St. Joseph, from the website Roman Catholic Man: O, Saint Joseph, you who taught our Lord the carpenters trade, and saw to it that he was always properly housed, hear my earnest plea. Venerated as a saint by several Christian traditions, St. Joseph is a biblical figure that many recognize as a figurine in Christmas nativity scenes the strong, silent type keeping protective watch over his wife Mary and the cherished newborn in the manger. Some prayers threaten St. Joseph, essentially stating that he should sell your home for you if he wants to get out of the ground. Help me trust in you, as St. Joseph faithfully trusted, and never let me lose faith in the wonderful gifts you promise me. After a short time their prayers had been heard and they got more land. you might ask. We read the prayers together in the family and it felt great. The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. Like many urban legends, it's unclear where the tradition of burying a St Joseph statue began. As you blessed St. Joseph, bless what I do, however hidden and simple it may be, and let all I do be done with love. If you plan on keeping the statue following the sale, displaying it in your home, consider spending a bit more on a statue thats professionally crafted. It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best agents in your market. The idea is simply to protect it from as much dirt and damage as possible. The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses this particular aspect: Superstition in some sense represents a perverse excess of religion (No. St. Joseph is your spiritual father, not a trinket. Lets say you knew St. Joseph in person, and you watched the wonderful life he led unfold in front of your eyes. One explanation I read maintained that St. Joseph doesnt like being placed in the ground this way and would therefore speed the sale of the property so he could be dug up and righted. The result? You can even select a spot near the front door to signify that youll be leaving the home soon, or by a window looking out at the for sale sign. We Catholics don't need the bad press. Not being Catholic or particularly religious, I had no idea who he was or why he might be buried in my backyard. (Im sure its purely a coincidence that a tree fell on their newly built home shortly after they moved.). Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or The Lord Remembers His Oath - St. Elizabeth and St. Zachariah, Have A Catholic Amish Christmas - Learning to slow down and enjoy the coming of Christ. Its hard to say how widespread the practice is, but it became trendy in the 1990s and theres still ample demand for the statues from sellers who often purchase them from online retailers. So, he bought a statue of Saint Joseph, read the instructions, read his prayers and said that after the ritual was done he felt relief and he really knew that soon he was about to sell his house. Catholic Online, Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission We read the prayers together in the family and it felt great. All instructions do recommend to say a prayer to St. Joseph at the time of burying the statue. Thanks. Catholics should always be willing and able to pass on true blessings whenever they can. Nowadays, you can even buy a St. Joseph home selling kit from retailers and some real estate offices. Afterall, buyers may take notice and either think the disturbed section of ground is unsightly or suspicious, and explaining may be a tad uncomfortable. You can purchase one from a Catholic supply store or online retailer, and some even come with a burial kit. You also can say a prayer of thanks and take the statue with you to your new home, if youre so inclined. Let the spirit of Mary and Joseph rest at our table, shape our words and actions, and bring blessing to our children. Saint Joseph is one of the worlds most popular Saints over the world. The article helped. Catholic Church. RELATED: The Clever Reason Medieval Castle Staircases Are Always Clockwise, At least, thats the way the stories go. ), and his purpose was to. . Word got out about this and people started burying medals in their own yard in order to find a new home. History of St Joseph statue tradition. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. This article has been viewed 632,763 times. A St. Joseph statue, as my friend was soon to find out. For instance, St. Luke is the Patron Saint of Surgeons while St. Rita is the Patron Saint of Parenthood. And, really, I believe we all ought to care how we present ourselves and our living, vibrant faith to the world. Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Even though we all come short of the glory of God, I thank you for the sacrifice of your only son Jesus Christ for all our sins. As a Catholic it is important to understand that we do believe in our ability to ask for intercession. https://www.facebook.com/reflectingwarmthandhope/, 5 Reasons the Catholic Church is the True Church. Respectfully ask for his intercession with God (the primary ability that saints possess) on your behalf. Bury the statue upsidedown, facing the house. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. 2111) states, Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. Putting a statue of St. Anthony (or another saint) upside down in a glass of water, setting it on a sill for nine days and shaking it while saying a prayer every sunrise. Day Four: God of families, bless the family that's mine. Free shipping for many products! It is not a pious devotion to bury statues of St. Joseph. For condo dwellers and those who dont have a yard, bury St. Joseph in a pot near the front door. The exact placement of the statue can vary depending on who you ask, but there is still a general procedure you should follow. Whether or not to bury a St. Joseph statue to help you sell your home is an entirely personal decision, even if your agent offers you a complimentary one. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Real Estate & The Ritual Of Burying St. Joseph. Sadly, I came across a website offering a "Real Estate Spell Kit" that included: 1 Dressed and Blessed Saint Joseph Candle, 1 Statuette of Saint Joseph, 1 Bottle Saint Joseph Oil, 1 Saint Joseph Chromo Print, and 1 Saint Joseph Holy Card. On moving day, I put him in my purse and brought him to our new home two hours away. Some say that this tradition goes back from what is called the degradation of the saints. Pray to Saint Joseph when you are burying him and keep praying until the house is sold. Our House was on the market for over 1 year without any offers. Even though they are a big moneymaker, to his credit, he refuses to carry them. Wrapping the statue is a matter of practicality, but more importantly, it is also a sign of respect. and he lived there for the 16 years we owned the house. "Statues, unlike medals, are not made to be buried," said the priest, who is a . Joseph is your spiritual father, not a trinket. If youre selling a condo, burying the statue in a flower pot is an option. Catholic Online, Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education But to others, its an expression of a superstition like carrying around a rabbits foot for good luck thats against the Churchs teachings. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its now history, but its electronic cousin is alive and well, especially those bearing a quasi-religious message. Christians should have nothing to do with such occult activities. As Snopes notes, no one knows exactly when the custom of using a St. Joseph statue to help sell a home became popular, but he seems to have reached widespread use in the U.S. around 1990, with realtors buying plastic saints statues by the gross.. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Was it St. Josephs influence? monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. Jacob Bourne is a journalist based in Californias Bay Area. This is more the realm of superstition, magic and charms than sound Christian practice. Since the ritual isnt an official religious tradition, theres no one way to go about burial. F. Douglas Kneibert writes from Sedalia, Missouri. But according to online sources, it neednt be complicated. Richard Haddad is the managing editor of HomeLight.com. How often are our dollars supporting ministries that are actually anti-Catholic in nature? A brief history The tradition of burying St. Joseph began in the 1500s with St. Teresa of Avila who was opening convents throughout Europe. In short, a great real estate agent is one of the best guarantees your house will get sold. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. By using our site, you agree to our. However, unlike other Christian faiths, we are not limited to those who are with us now, in the flesh and blood, but we also rely on those who have gone before us, the whole of the "Communion of Saints." So it felt like a natural thing to me, a cross between superstition and a talisman.. print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the It is used more for good luck. Catholic Online, Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum This wont be a guarantee of what your home will sell for, but it is a helpful starting point. As for seeing my troubles disappear, that would come as news to Jesus, who assured his followers, In the world you will have trouble (John 16:33). Does the seller have to be the one to bury St. Joseph? Joseph gave up his home in order to protect his family and was able to make a new home wherever they went. Then, bury the statue near the For Sale sign or near the road in front of your house. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Bury St Edmunds Abbey Hill & Town Coloured Postcard P/M Bury St Edmunds 1923 at the best online prices at eBay! Again, not all of the prayers might be official in any religious capacity but if you find yourself drawn to one go for it. Paul Sposite, Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life I hope that you have a great day. (Soil may be looser). We did find a website that advocates burying a St. Joseph statue to help sell a house (www.stjosephstatue.com), and it provided the following explanation on the custom's history: "The solemn tradition of burying St. Joseph in the earth began hundreds of years ago in Europe. Certainly there are the times when the case isn't an impression so much as a misinterpretation of what we do. St. Catholic Online, Pope's Lenten Message for 2009 The ideal height is between 3 and 4 inches (7.6 and 10 cm). At that time the tradition was that you threatened the saints by burying them and with that saying to the saints I will keep you with your head down in the dirt until you sell my house for me. Although she has indured the struggle of infertiliy she finds peace through being a CCD teacher at Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church where she is a member. Joseph?" Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations. At that time the tradition was that you threatened the saints by burying them and with that saying to the saints I will keep you with your head down in the dirt until you sell my house for me. He became a Saint for workers and it is very common to pray to him to get his help with house sales and many other things. Hugh McNichol, Burying a St. Joseph Statue A dear Christian friend recently asked me, "Why do Catholics bury statues of St. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition. So therefore, the act of burying a statue is considered magical and necessary instead of just prayer. Saying a prayer to St. Joseph, asking for him to intercede in the sale of your home is a religious act and does not go against any rules of the Catholic Church. After its all said and done, I plan on making a donation to one of my favorite charities. Act in sincerity, pray in earnest, and believe that the help you are asking for will come your way. Essentially the Church says, although these are my words and not hers, "When you abide by the practices of our faith and never cross into superstition induced behavior, it could make perfect sense to bury a statue because it isn't the act of burying the statue that you see as having value and benefit but, instead, the intercession of St. Joseph, whom you rightly call upon for help. You can also read more about St Joseph statues on our index page. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T. And, in response to my friend's inquiry as to why a Catholic would bury a statue of St. Joseph, was given the alarming response, "It's good luck!" Thats not the way of the God in whom we place our trust.
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