If you spend any time with email, you've probably received an occasional chain letter, in spite of any spam filter settings meant to protect against that sort of thing. The spam promising a financial windfall from little-known African banks is well known, as are the announcements of lottery winnings for contests in Europe that you don't remember having entered. There are prayer chain letters, too, some of which are started in support of American military personnel.
An acquaintance forwarded a "Prayer of Saint Therese" to me yesterday. Curiously enough, it doesn't sound like anything a pious nineteenth-century French woman would actually have written. But it did spark a few thoughts on chain prayers that you might find instructive or entertaining.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I get this same email off and on and it annoys me greatly. I have a return email composed and saved that emphasizes that Ste. Therese was not New Age and including some prayers (theologically, a bit meatier and much more Eucharistic) that I found on a Carmelite site and that really were written by her. She is my patron saint from my confirmation, and it bugs me that people make up spiritual nonsense in her name, instead of asking for her intercession.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Great post! This superstitious nonsense is really annoying, time-wasting, dishonoring to God and the saints, and just plain DUMB.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com http://www.donnamariecooperoboyle.blogspot.com http://www.donnamarieembracingmotherhood.blogspot.com
Thanks for mentioning this. I don't like these chain letters either and wish people would realize that they are superstitious chain letters. I especially detest the ones that promise harm to you if you don't follow them to the T. These are not inspired by God or the saints!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:10 am
I've received some accompanied by a picture of Mother Theresa!
(And, of course, I forwarded it to five people within five minutes so my lawn wouldn't turn brown and I would find a quarter on the floor at work.)