Q: I’m Catholic, I’ve got a trouble. Recently, I just realized that I was born on June 6, and coincidentally that day was Friday, the sixth day of the week. This means the 666-number of Satan and bad luck. I’m curious what this really means for me. – J.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: Don’t worry about the alignment of numbers on the date. That kind of fear could verge on or be superstition if you let that influence your decisions.

You should put your faith in God more and worry less about numbers.

The Catechism teaches in No. 2111: “Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. 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.”

Put another way, superstition about numbers, etc., can distract us from the basics of religious belief and practice.

A fixation on numbers could weaken our confidence in Our Lord and even lead us down more problematic paths, such as dabbling in horoscopes.

To avoid this problem, it would be good to cultivate a solid life of prayer and the sacraments.

And try to study the Catholic faith more. Get a copy of the Youth Catechism or the Compendium of the Catechism or the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults.

It might also be helpful to get involved in Church activities that will bring you in contact with faithful Catholics. Their support could help you to live the faith better and set aside any tendencies toward superstition.

I hope this helps. Count on my prayers.