Comments on: Inman News and St. Joseph

By: Richard J. Landuyt CRB

Richard J. Landuyt CRB — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:38:38 +0000

This belief is again becoming ‘popular’ in the Detroit Michigan metropolitan area as our home sales are at a 18 month supply of inventory. I have found that belief, deep belief can cause a person to focus on not only the belief itself but, the end result. that is – to help remedy the problem / situation. They might even start looking for ‘a sign’ – such as their REALTOR advising them on agressive marketing strategies (like 5 – 10% price adjustments, staging, etc.). all said, belief in a positive direction can only do good, expecially if your belief is true & deep.

By: 360Digest » St. Joe is my homeboy

360Digest » St. Joe is my homeboy — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 09:59:59 +0000

[...] So, with the down market comes lots of tips for selling your home quickly, including the stalwart suggestion of inviting the assistance of the Patron Saint of Real Estate, St. Joseph. [...]

By: Seattle’s Rain City Real Estate Guide » Have faith: St. Joseph

Seattle’s Rain City Real Estate Guide » Have faith: St. Joseph — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 00:07:33 +0000

[...] Have faith: St. Joseph November 28, 2006 Ardell posted about St. Joseph a few months back. This statistically insignificant test proves it works. [...]

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 21:10:31 +0000

I’m staying out of it this time…Bill, I swear I didn’t start it! The “Madonna DellaLoggia” just happens to have been painted by Boticelli the same day the first medal was planted upside down in the ground. Pure coincidence!

By: Marlow

Marlow — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:48:41 +0000

None of this is a new idea. The tradition of burying St. Joseph in the earth began hundreds of years ago in Europe. During those times, an order of nuns prayed to St. Joseph (the patron saint of the family and household needs) when they needed more lands for convents. The Sisters were encouraged to bury their St. Joseph medals in the ground to have their prayers answered. Years later, the modern day home seller has reinterpreted this practice to help with home sales.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:29:06 +0000

Ardell,

If journalists were as ethical as bloggers, Melissa would have given you proper credit for inspiring this story about St. Joseph!

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:26:27 +0000

Cricket,

My Jewish Mom had all of her children in a Catholic Hospital (St. Joseph’s come to think of it).

She was so desperately in pain that she prayed to St. Gerard, whose picture was in the foyer of the hospital. Apparently he was the patron saint of pregnant women. She was in labor for many days with my brother David back before doctors would “break the water” and she prayed to St. Gerard and then named him David Gerard in return.

When people reach out in desperation to Saints, as my Jewish Mom and my Jewish client did, it is no different that recalling Moses at a time of a difficult journey or other Biblical people. Taking offense at what other people do, without recognizing that only God knows what is truly in their heart at the time, is a pastime left best to those who just happen to like to throw stones. Watch out for the ripples those stones make though.

Best to figure out what is offensive about ourselves, than to worry about how to be offended by the actions of others.

By: jcricket

jcricket — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 19:45:32 +0000

I do find it a little offensive for someone who’s Jewish to be using a Catholic saint as a “good luck charm of convienence”. As someone who’s Jewish, no matter how much people want to deny it, these symbols (Christmas tree, Saints, beads) have religious significance for many, and using them this way is at least in bad taste. And it’s one reason I wouldn’t do something like this (or have a Christmas tree, put a statue of St. Matthew on my dashboard, etc.)

Now I recognize that many Catholics do the same thing (use these totems only when convienence strikes them), but at least they can claim they’re using an aspect of their own religion.

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:59:18 +0000

Thanks Michael. Nice comment. We can never see into someone’s heart with regard to their reason for doing something, So we have to leave that to a higher power to judge…or not.

Personally, I thought it was pretty cool for St. Joseph to be getting some attention. He is an oft forgotten and not widely known Saint, and I think he might enjoy being remembered on occasion long, long after he’s gone.

By: Michael Price

Michael Price — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:46:04 +0000

“We haven’t heard about this custom for quite awhile because it has been a seller’s market.” Hopefully those who are guided by their faith have said prayers of gratitude during this period. If Bill’s bubble maps are any indication of things to come, the practice will come in handy. This quote is indicative of how so many people seem to forget their faith until times of convenient circumstance or dire need. The whole process of the statues has never settled well with me and doing it only when the market is down seems to add to the creepy feeling I get every time I hear about agents and this ritual. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Bill recently and it wasn’t until the very end of my trip that the subjects of spirituality and faith came up. While we did not discuss it at great length, I sensed that it is an important part of his life. I can’t speak for him, and please don’t take offense, but I doubt anything in your story or history lesson is going to change his position on the issue. It didn’t mine. Well told though.