25. When does a person commit idolatry?
He commits idolatry (worship of images) when he pays divine honor to any creature or thing, as the heathens did.
26. When do we sin by superstition?
1. When we honor God or the Saints in a manner contrary to the doctrine or practice of the Church; 2. When we attribute to things a certain power which they cannot have, either by nature, or by the prayers of the Church, or by virtue of Divine dispensation.
For instance: When we consult fortune-tellers and make them tell us our fortunes by cutting cards or by inspecting our hands; or when we have recourse to the interpretation of dreams, or to vain and foolish signs and practices, in order to know hidden things, or to obtain luck or health; still more, when for that purpose we abuse even holy names and blessed things.
27. Is such superstition a grievous sin?
It is generally a very grievous sin, because he who practises such things mostly expects the assistance of the evil spirit, if not openly, at least secretly; but, at all events, puts that confidence in idle or delusive things which he ought to place in God alone.
28. Is it also superstitious to wear on our persons images (medals) of the Saints, or blessed things?
On the contrary, it is praiseworthy, if it is done with a pious intention — that is to say, with confidence in God, in the intercession of the Saints, or in the prayer and blessing of the Church.
29. How do people become guilty of witchcraft?
When they try, with the help of the evil spirits, to find hidden treasures, to injure others, or to work wonderful things.
Thus one day that wicked one, Antichrist, will do, 'Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all [deluding] power, and signs, and lying wonders, and in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish' (2 Thess. ii. 9, 10). This God will
