Some believe that this custom dates back to a period known as the "degradation of the saints." Others disagree. Add the power of a top-performing agent to your home-selling prayers. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. 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. To understand why you bury a statue of St. Joseph please read more in our section "History of Saint Joseph", Below on this page you can read some of the most commonly used methods on how to bury statues of Saint Joseph in order to Sell your House faster. The history behind the tradition to bury a statue of Saint Joseph is hundreds of years old (A.D. 1515 - 1582). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Subscriber Service CenterAlready a subscriber? Some Catholics seem to believe that if Marys name is attached to it, it must be okay. I have my grandparents crucifixes on my walls and carry Mass cards and assorted Catholic items in my purse, she told me. Read the whole story at History of Saint Joseph. ), so even if youre a skeptic, it might be worth a shot. 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. For instance, St. Luke is the Patron Saint of Surgeons while St. Rita is the Patron Saint of Parenthood. Catholic identity triumphant reemergence! Certainly there are the times when the case isn't an impression so much as a misinterpretation of what we do. We read the prayers together in the family and it felt great. But how many other sites are out there, just waiting to pull us in? This is undoubtedly why, in a recent interview with Catholic talk show host Teresa Tomeo, she had encouraged Catholics everywhere to know their faith better, more thoroughly. After a short time their prayers had been heard and they got more land. You should still wrap the statue in protective cloth and treat it with the same degree of reverence. Good luck? ", and flowers. Place the statue inside the hole upside-down and facing your house. It sold in an all-cash deal in under a week, she said. St. Joseph has long been understood as a patron of the home, but when it comes to burying his statue, don't, said Father Donald Calloway, author of "Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father.". Or at least we shouldn't. ), and his purpose was to. Lets say you knew St. Joseph in person, and you watched the wonderful life he led unfold in front of your eyes. Catholic Online, Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa Wrap the statue The statue should be wrapped in protective cloth in order to show respect. Act in sincerity, pray in earnest, and believe that the help you are asking for will come your way. When your home does sell, remember to retrieve the statue before departure, out of respect, and so the house doesnt potentially get stuck in an endless sale-and-purchase loop, as the lore suggests. Whenever you see the word spell, know youre in dangerous territory. Does the statue need to be blessed when I'm burying it? Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Therefore, we promote stricteditorial integrity in each of our posts. The religious origin of burying a St. Joseph statue dates back centuries and is rooted in the Christian faith. The misuse of the St. Joseph statue belongs here, as do all religious items on the Internet that are alleged to bring good luck. or school. Some bury him upside down, suggesting hell free himself by getting the house sold. We read the prayers together in the family and it felt great. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Catholic Online, Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe After you have closed on the house, you should thank St. Joseph by digging him up and taking him with you to your new home, where he should be put in a place of honor., Obviously, the previous owners of our home didnt follow all of the steps and left him behind. As a Catholic it is important to understand that we do believe in our ability to ask for intercession. I hope that you have a great day. In one version of how people came to start burying his effigy, St. Teresa of Avila, a nun in the 1500s was having trouble finding land for a new convent and started praying to St. Joseph and burying blessed medals of him, and encouraged other nuns to follow suit. All rights reserved. St Joseph is known to be the saint of handcraft and home protection. Wrapping the statue is a matter of practicality, but more importantly, it is also a sign of respect. Like many urban legends, it's unclear where the tradition of burying a St Joseph statue began. Give us enough to eat, and decent work to earn our bread. Catholic Online, Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel Messages that fail the test of reason and/or sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church should immediately be consigned to electronic outer darkness. 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. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or 1 week later there was a old couple looking at the house, they said they was very pleased with it, but wanted some time to think it over. . (Im sure its purely a coincidence that a tree fell on their newly built home shortly after they moved.). Joseph Statue Spell Kits are a hot item on the Web. Nowadays, you can even buy a St. Joseph home selling kit from retailers and some real estate offices. Her website is www.BezalelBooks.com. 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. This old story has lived on until today but on the tradition has changed from burying medals to burying statues. Shortly after, the local dump where the statue ended up, got sold! Catholic Online Saints - thousands of saints bios. But according to online sources, it neednt be complicated. Afterall, finding a buyer who loves your home enough to pay top dollar within a relatively short period of time does seem to involve the element of chance. Believe. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1920s National Health Insurance Record Card - Miss EM Brabrook, Bury St Edmunds at the best online prices at eBay! When Satanists engage in black magic, an upside-down crucifix is part of the ceremony. It looked like the kind of figure you might find in a nativity scene, and I guessed he was most likely a saint, as I had seen similar statues in a religious goods store. But messages such as these are more steeped in superstition and even the occult than in true religion. For condo dwellers and those who dont have a yard, bury St. Joseph in a pot near the front door. He is also commonly referred to as "The home Selling saint" in folklore. While there may not be any proof to back this legend, removing the statue should at least be done as a sign of respect. However, burying the statue could be seen as a superstition, not a religious act. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! But let's get back, specifically, to burying that St. Joseph statue. According to the tradition, burying St. Joseph began hundreds of years ago in Europe. Catholic Online, Three words to a deeper faith Saint Teresa never buried statues of St. Joseph. 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. 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. St JosephStatue offers you the solution that you need. During those times, an order of nuns prayed to St. Joseph (the . Then, Saint Joseph, I swear before the cross and God Almighty, that I will redeem you and you will receive my gratitude and a place of honor in my home. Interestingly, the statue is not simply to be buried: He is to be buried upside down. RELATED: The Clever Reason Medieval Castle Staircases Are Always Clockwise, At least, thats the way the stories go. Burying a statue of St. Joseph is a traditional and popular practice people often resort to when trying to sell a house. In addition, it is also believed that the statue will help to sell your house more quickly. Day Three: O God, ever faithful, you remember us always and in time reveal your blessings. Many religiously devout people have statues of various sizes to honor the saint, and sometimes the statues are buried as part of a practice considered helpful when selling a home. We recommend this great article about how and why you should bury a Saint Joseph statue How to Bury St Joseph. 2020 St-Josephstatue. Day Eight: Give shelter, O God, to those who need it, and bring together families divided. St. Catholic Online, Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum Not long after, they found land for their new convent. This practice has been used as a form of prayer to ask for guidance or help from St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus according to Christian beliefs. The most common tradition holds that you should bury the statue near the "For Sale" sign or near the road. (It also seems more respectful.). Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Hello St-JosephStatue I just sold my house - and it's all thanks to St Joseph and his blessing. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the companys blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. 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. https://www.facebook.com/reflectingwarmthandhope/, 5 Reasons the Catholic Church is the True Church. I wish to sell this [house/property] quickly, easily, and profitably and I implore you to grant my wish by bringing me a good buyer, one who is eager, compliant, and honest, and by letting nothing impede the rapid conclusion of the sale. Header Image Source: (Michael OSullivan / Unsplash). To learn more, including how to pray to St. Joseph after burying the statue, read on. Embrace every moment as sacred time 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!" The results of the practice are, however, varied. I thank you for the good and bad, the understanding of forgiveness, and your holy power, without which we would have nothing. If you live in an apartment or condo, bury the statue in a large flower pot, and place it on your deck, patio, or windowsill. Next, wrap the statue in a clean, soft washcloth, or place it in a resealable plastic bag to protect it from dirt and damage. I buried the statue only 20 hours before I got my best offer, and now its sold. The Church doesnt trust in luck; it trusts in Gods divine providence, which orders all things toward their proper ends. And no, you dont have to be Catholic or even a Christian to put your faith in St. Joseph. Catholic Online, A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II I automatically threw the old chain letters directly into the wastebasket, and I go for the delete key every time I receive an e-mail version. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness 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. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. ", buy a statue this morning. ), and his purpose was to help the house sell faster. However, theres mixed sentiment among Catholics about the tradition. Now days, the tradition to bury a statue of St Joseph is still the same, but its not very common to threaten him, instead we pray to his good will and pray that he will help us with a fast, smooth and profitable sale. upside down facing the house. So, what does one do with a previously owned statue of St. Joseph? Approved. Hugh McNichol, Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message Yes, traditionally, the seller should be the one to bury the statue. After your house is soldtake him with you to your new home and put him in a place of honor. Consider the widespread practice of burying St. Joseph statues on property in hopes of getting a buyer. The ideal height is between 3 and 4 inches (7.6 and 10 cm). Dna. Most attribute it to a group of nuns in the 1500's who prayed for property to build a convent on. Renew or manage your subscription here. Learn more Burying a statue of St. Joseph is a traditional and popular practice people often resort to when trying to sell a house. The exact placement of the statue can vary depending on who you ask, but there is still a general procedure you should follow. St. 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. I believe it is important for Catholics to be cautious of presenting themselves as a superstitious lot making use of what outsiders call "amulets, spells, and incarnations." A St. Joseph statue, as my friend was soon to find out. The Church counts on us to understand her teachings and move forward in wisdom and knowledge so that all we do reflects what the Church teaches us about our faith. Once your home is sold, you are to remove the statue, otherwise the it will sell over and over again. Day 9: Bless all families, O Lord, especially those in need. 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! The Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. Sadly then, when our faith is developed through secular influences and we are indoctrinated in the ways of the world, we are sometimes prone to behavior that perpetuates the labels that outspoken anti-Catholics throw our way. I have not read anything that says the statue needs to be blessed. SCRIPTURES & ART: Todays Gospel speaks of how the sheep should act, but its also an important lesson for shepherds, Be who God meant you to be, said St. Catherine, and you will set the world on fire., While the common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. (Catechism 1547). Help me trust in you, as St. Joseph faithfully trusted, and never let me lose faith in the wonderful gifts you promise me. This article has been viewed 632,763 times. Also readtestimonials from people who have already bought, buried and sold their house with Faith and St Joseph. They later started buying statues to bury in order to sell their property. To learn more, including how to pray to St. Joseph after burying the statue, read on. 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. Once your home is sold, you are to remove the statue, otherwise the it will sell over and over again. It is unknown how this tradition came to be, but some believe it began from European nuns who would bury a St. Joseph medal on property they hoped to purchase for their convents. This placement assures he will work hard to sell the right house. Copyright 2023 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. Hugh McNichol. Richard Haddad is the managing editor of HomeLight.com. PropertyClub (February 2022), Bury him next to the for sale sign. You could also consider placing the statue 3 feet (1 m) away from the rear of the house or in your rear yard flower bed. 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. Catholic Online, Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education Then do it the right way. New owners will come and go until the statue is finally removed. Of course we don't. Consider a recent e-mail I received. This past February 19th my daughter's house went up for sale and she buried Saint Joseph in the front yard, according to the directions. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. HomeLight can assist you in finding a great agent with tools backed by data on millions of housing transactions nationwide. Remembering the life of your Son, we pray for the poor, for those who lack a good home, for those in exile. Just dont forget your St. Josephs statue on moving day! 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. and he lived there for the 16 years we owned the house. Buying a small mere inches in height statue is advisable, because the last thing you want is to be digging a giant hole in your yard when youre trying to sell it. Not being Catholic or particularly religious, I had no idea who he was or why he might be buried in my backyard. You would put the symbol in a beautiful spot in your home. Enjoy! Day One: O God, guide of those who listen and helper of those who hear your voice, speak to me, as you did to St. Joseph, and help me accomplish the things you give me to do. Im sure St. Joseph does not only want to be remembered for his housing troubles (there is no room at the inn), but he wants to be remembered as the chosen one to raise the Son of God, his obedience to God, and his work as a protector and loving example to Mary, and Jesus. I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration that you have given me. Over the time there has been many difference ways of where and how to dig a hole for St Joseph. I hope that you have a great day. The article helped. There's no need to bury a statue of him." Just for the record, there are some sources that attribute the burying of a statue of St. Joseph to Saint Teresa of Avila, who invoked St. Joseph's . How can we be over a billion strong and not have the top five, even top ten, spots on the New York Times bestseller lists for fiction and non-fiction? Over time, these medals were replaced with St. Joseph statues. 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.. Some say that this tradition goes back from what is called the "degradation of the saints". It doesnt seem to matter how you pray, as long as you pray for St. Josephs help, and most of the St. Joseph home sale kits include a prayer card to help those of us who arent practicing Catholics. Of course not, especially not upside down. Over the years, this role has evolved to also include home sales and real estate. Add red elements to your staging even if its just red flowers in a vase. Many people believe that by placing the statue in the front yard, potential buyers will be more likely to take notice of the property. Catholics need only to look to the Catechism (truly an easy-to-read book absolutely filled with every single thing you need to know about our faith) to understand that the communion of saints is that body of Christ that includes the living and the dead; thus, our ability to ask for intercession knows no earthly bounds. HomeLight, Inc. 100 1st Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA 94105. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. This is superstitious nonsense. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. So, instead of leaving things up to the lottery of life, some sellers invoke the help of a higher power. 2111) states, Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes.