Thursday, August 28, 2008
Battle
Prayers would be appreciated. Currently battling a bout of OCD/Depression. I am praying and offering up my suffering for you my fellow crown-bearers. God bless you. Let us go forward!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sacrament of the Sick
For some reason people with mental illnesses rarely request the sacrament of the sick yet they can benefit deeply from this consoling sacrament.
The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death. This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God's will. Furthermore, "if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."CCC 1520
I have received the sacrament twice. Both times at the beginning of real bad bouts of OCD/Depression. Both times I have received renewed strenght, hope and relief from my pain. When your spiritual father marks your hands and forehead with the blessed oil you feel the hand of Christ touching your hands and your forehead.
Your tears mix with the oil. Your heart with His Sacred Heart and somehow, through His grace, the Holy Spirit rushes into your heart and mind and you can rest.
So, if necessary, go to your priest and request the anointing. Christ created it having you in mind. He wants to bring rest and relief to you. In the Sacrament of the Sick He is there, ready to embrace you.
Friday, August 22, 2008
St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de Sales suffered of a terrible depression/obsession while he was in college. Because of the theological discussions that he attended he became convinced and obsessed with the thought that he was condemned and going to hell. He ate and slept very little and lived in constant terror. His spiritual director was deeply concerned. Francis feared he was losing his mind.
Finally one day he dragged himself into a church and made an act of Trust. He told God that no matter what He had planned for Him he knew it was good because God loved Him. After that he prayed the Memorae which is an act of trust to Our Lady.
He trusted. And that opened the floodgates of Grace. In an instant he found himself free from that obsession.
We might not receive an immediate healing like Francis but we will surely immediately receive the Grace to carry our Crown of Thorns every time we choose to Trust God. Let us pray the Memorae, specially today in the feast of the Queenship of Mary!
Finally one day he dragged himself into a church and made an act of Trust. He told God that no matter what He had planned for Him he knew it was good because God loved Him. After that he prayed the Memorae which is an act of trust to Our Lady.
He trusted. And that opened the floodgates of Grace. In an instant he found himself free from that obsession.
We might not receive an immediate healing like Francis but we will surely immediately receive the Grace to carry our Crown of Thorns every time we choose to Trust God. Let us pray the Memorae, specially today in the feast of the Queenship of Mary!
Remember Oh Most Gracious, Virgin Mary! that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored thy help or sought Thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto Thee, Oh Virgin of Virgins, my Mother! To the do I come, before you I cry, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in Thy Mercy hear and answer me!Amen.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Catholic Therapists
So, I just found this website that offers a listing of Catholic Therapists for each area. Now, I am not endorsing them or anything but it looks like a good option when you are seeking for a therapist that will not dismiss your most loved beliefs. So check them out!
Suffering Co-workers
God did not want me to suffer. He hates it when I suffer. But since this is a fallen world, pain is a fact. But he can and will redeem it and make it into Grace. So in a way I've received my vocation: to be a suffering member of the body of Christ. To live in Joy with, in and for Christ Crucified. I am fulfilling that call by my work as a Sick & Suffering Co-worker of the Missionaries of Charity.
The Sick & Suffering Co-workers are a group of people that offer their prayers and sufferings for the poorest of the poor and for the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa's sisters. Since many times they are unable to join in activities in the service of the poor they are spiritually linked to the Order. Thus they become life-giving partners in the service of the poor.
Mental illness is a hard Crown of Thorns to bear. Yet it can be such a fountain of life, light and love. Joining a prayer group, a group like the Sick & Suffering Coworkers or simply making the point to offer your sufferings in your daily prayers is such a source of life and meaning for our pain. There is Life, Love and Light even in the Cross! let us rejoice!
Painting by Mariano Cammisuli from Argentina
The Sick & Suffering Co-workers are a group of people that offer their prayers and sufferings for the poorest of the poor and for the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa's sisters. Since many times they are unable to join in activities in the service of the poor they are spiritually linked to the Order. Thus they become life-giving partners in the service of the poor.
Mental illness is a hard Crown of Thorns to bear. Yet it can be such a fountain of life, light and love. Joining a prayer group, a group like the Sick & Suffering Coworkers or simply making the point to offer your sufferings in your daily prayers is such a source of life and meaning for our pain. There is Life, Love and Light even in the Cross! let us rejoice!
Dear Lord, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings specially those relatedto my illness. I offer them for __________. I accept everything as coming from your Loving Hand. Let me walk through this Calvary with you so that I might rise with you in the Resurrection. Amen.
Painting by Mariano Cammisuli from Argentina
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
wanting to die?
One time I told my spiritual director I was afraid I had despaired since in a dark moment I had wanted to die. He looked at me, smiled and said "you didn't want to die, you just wanted the pain to stop."
If your heart is aching with that dark desire remember that suicide is not the solution. There are other ways to make the pain stop or to make it bearable. Therapy, medicine, a good long talk with a friend, prayer, etc. You have so much to do, so many people to love! There is hope! You will see the goodness of the Lord in this life!
If your heart is aching with that dark desire remember that suicide is not the solution. There are other ways to make the pain stop or to make it bearable. Therapy, medicine, a good long talk with a friend, prayer, etc. You have so much to do, so many people to love! There is hope! You will see the goodness of the Lord in this life!
USEful suffering
How to make your suffering USEful:
Union. unite yourself to the suffering Christ through prayer, unite yourself through those suffering like you or more than you and offer your sufferings for them.
Service. serve those who suffer in a similar way. This suffering if carried in a healthy way will bring you to be more open to the emotional needs of others. You will understand what it means to be confused, afraid or in the verge of despair, and you will be able to provide the same support that you have received. If you are not able to serve others through active ministry you can always pray for people offering your sufferings. That is also service!
Evangelization. If you suffer patiently, lovingly and hand in hand with Christ you will be a sign of the power of Christ over pain and suffering. People will see how you carry your crown of thorns with patience, love and prayer and be inspired. Maybe later on the Lord will call you to share it as a testimony of his Mercy.
Do not despair my Sister! Do not feel defeated my Brother! Your suffering, with Christ, has meaning and is useful! If you choose to walk this this dark Valley with Him your suffering will have great meaning, just like His!
Union. unite yourself to the suffering Christ through prayer, unite yourself through those suffering like you or more than you and offer your sufferings for them.
Service. serve those who suffer in a similar way. This suffering if carried in a healthy way will bring you to be more open to the emotional needs of others. You will understand what it means to be confused, afraid or in the verge of despair, and you will be able to provide the same support that you have received. If you are not able to serve others through active ministry you can always pray for people offering your sufferings. That is also service!
Evangelization. If you suffer patiently, lovingly and hand in hand with Christ you will be a sign of the power of Christ over pain and suffering. People will see how you carry your crown of thorns with patience, love and prayer and be inspired. Maybe later on the Lord will call you to share it as a testimony of his Mercy.
Do not despair my Sister! Do not feel defeated my Brother! Your suffering, with Christ, has meaning and is useful! If you choose to walk this this dark Valley with Him your suffering will have great meaning, just like His!
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