Catholic books on physical healing

  • Thread starter Thread starter annaya
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

annaya

Guest
Hello everyone,

I am looking for a Catholic book on (prayer for) physical healing.
The only one that I could find is “The practice of healing prayer” by Francis McNutt:

There are tons of Protestant/Evangelical books on this topic with great reviews, however I would prefer a Catholic perspective.
One example of an evangelical book is “God’s creative power for healing” by Charles Capps. It sounds interesting, but I cannot tell if it’s in line with God/the Catholic Churche’s teachings. Do you think it would be ok to use this book?

Bascially, I don’t know how to go about praying for physical healing, so I’m looking for some ideas/guidance.
Any book recommendations are much appreciated!

Thank you and God bless you!
 
Last edited:
The prayer of the Church when one is sick would be the Anointing of the Sick. Speak to your priest about receiving this sacrament.

The Church does not preach the “health and wealth” “gospel” that lives in some Protestant circles. We simply pray for God’s will and that we will be strong to accept His will.

Closest book I can think of is Fr Dubay’s “Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer”.

Pope St John Paul II’s work on redemptive suffering is really life changing!
 
I am quite surprised that there’s virtuallly no Catholic literature on healing/healing prayer. After all it is an important subject.
While I am quite sceptical of the Evangelical “wealth gospel”, I believe that asking for healing is a legitimate undertaking.
Maybe I just have to pray for healing and that’s it. - But at the same time several questions arise, where guidance in form of a book would be helpful:
For example:
  • Should I pray to God, Jesus, Mary or a Saint?
  • How often?
  • Many more questions…
 
Thank you @TheLittleLady
The books by Fr. Dubay look very interesting, I think I will buy one.
 
Anointing of the Sick is the most powerful, and can be used especially for serious health issues. The most common regular method is the Novena. A Novena is nine days of prayers to a particular Saint or God to obtain there aid for your problems. It should include going to Mass for the nine days as well, for the honor of the Saint and your intention. I suggest you also include confession and penance for any sins, and obtaining a plenary indulgence as well. This is to remove any obstacle between you and God, before you begin the Novena. Praying the Rosary for the Nine days in Honor of the Saint as well isn’t necessary but will help you in obtaining help.
 
@Serpent_of_Paradise
Thank you for the very good advice!
  • Can Anoinitng of the Sick also be used for serious chronic pain issues? Or is it just for people with even more serious/life threatening issues?
  • I am not sure to what extent the person is willing to do the Novena, Confession, Penance, Rosary. I will talk to the person. However I would be willing to do these things for ther person. Does this make any sense?
Thank you!
 
Anointing of the sick can be received by any Catholic who is above the age of reason, has been baptized, etc. Talking to this person’s priest themselves is what I would recommend.

You can pray any way you wish for another person. I pray for many people every day! You could have a Mass said for this person.
 
Yes, Anointing of the Sick isn’t restricted to near death circumstances, like it was in the past. You need to consult a Priest or your local parish about how to receive it.

You can make a novena for someone else of course!
 
Sister Briege McKenna has a good book on how God called her into this ministry. The latest and least expensive paperback is here on Amazon. I have the earlier book Miracles Do Happen which is somewhat more expensive. I don’t know if the latest one is a synopsis of the first one or just a new sharing of her experience.

I also have two of Francis McNutt’s books on healing. There is a lot of good info therein.

Welcome to Catholic Answers - may you make many new friends and have a fruitful participation with all of us.
 
Last edited:
annaya said:
Maybe I just have to pray for healing and that’s it.
Click to expand...
Are you in need of healing? Or just interested, perhaps to pray for others in this way.
annaya said:
  • Should I pray to God, Jesus, Mary or a Saint?
  • How often?
  • Many more questions…
Click to expand...
All of our liturgical prayers are addressed to God, through Jesus His Son. Let the Holy Spirit guide your heart in this matter. Best to develop an intimacy with Jesus, and it is most pleasing to God that we take His Son as our mediator. St. Teresa of Avila wrote about this, and said the sacred humanity of Jesus is the best way to grow spiritually. It is always good to pray to Mary in addition, and if you have a devotion to a particular Saint(s), the blessed one can be a wonderful intercessor and heavenly friend. Are you new the the faith?
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top