By Olivia Obijiaku
The Chaplain of St Luke’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika-Zaria, Rev. Fr. James Akema has lamented increasing rate abuses in the use of sacramentals among Catholics, blaming the trend on imitation of non-Catholics. The priest who made this known at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, explained that sacramentals were initiated by the Church to enhance devotion, and not for superstition, as some Catholics do.
He clarified that, “Sacramentals are sacred signs which bear the resemblance of sacraments. But they are not sacraments because they are not instituted directly by Christ. They assist us in our devotion to God and the devotions in turn enhance our spirituality. The Church established them to enhance intercession and devotion. Devotion may be personal or communal. But in as much as some devotions are communal, they do not necessarily mean they are liturgical or general worship of the Church. Sacraments enhance our worship, but sacramentals improve and enhance our devotion.”
“It is rather unfortunate that, today, some people are misusing sacramentals. These were created to enhance our devotion. But some people now use it in ways that do not even foster devotion to God, namely the use of things like ‘Back to Sender Oil,’ ‘Attack My Enemy,’ ‘Do As I Say.’ Some people believe that they will have very sound sleep if they sleep with the Rosary under their pillows. You are supposed to use the Rosary for prayers.”
“It is our relationship with people of different faiths that has made some of us to copy their way of life. Sacramental are supposed to enhance holiness. They are not supposed to be a means of retaliation or carrying out superstition. But today, people use it for superstition, retribution, punishment or retaliation.”
Fr. Akema disclosed that in line with the Church’s teachings, some Catholics use the Rosary to enhance their devotion and spirituality. By so doing, he intimated, “it will make us to appreciate better, the sacraments that Jesus Himself instituted to enhance Christian worship.”
