Saints for sex addiction?

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Neil

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Hello,

I have struggled with pornography and sex addiction for almost 30 years for which I am now receiving counseling. I would like to purchase a necklace of a saint to help me.

Are there any saints who are good for getting help for sex or pornography addiction?

I know of

St. Jude for those who feel they are a lost cause.

St. Maximillian Kolbe for drug addiction

Saint Dymphna for mental illness (often associated with addiction)
(I have a slight mental illness so she might be good for me.)

Thank you
Neil
 
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In first few chapters of Confessions, St Augustine discussed how he struggled with lust

Aquinas also had 4 ways to overcome lust

Firstly , by fleeing the external occasions such as, for instance, bad company; and in fact whatever may be an occasion for this sin: “Do not gaze not upon a maiden lest her beauty be a stumbling-block to you… Do not look around you in the ways of the city, nor wander up and down in its streets. Turn away your face from a woman dressed up, and do not gaze upon another’s beauty. For many have perished by the beauty of a woman, whereby lust is enkindled as a fire” [Sir 9:5-9]. And again: “Can a man hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn?” [Prov 6:27]. And thus Lot was commanded to flee, “neither stay you in all the country about” [Gen 19:17].

The second way is by not giving an opening to thoughts which of themselves are the occasion of lustful desires. And this must be done by mortification of the flesh: “I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection” [1 Cor 9:27].

The third way is perseverance in prayer: “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it” [Ps 126:1]. And also: “I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God gave it” [Wis 8:21]. Again: “This kind is not cast out save by prayer and fasting” [Mt 17:20]. All this is not unlike to a fight between two persons, one of whom you desire to win, the other to lose. You must sustain the one and withdraw all support from the other. So also between the spirit and the flesh there is a continual combat. Now, if you wish the spirit to win, you must assist it by prayer, and likewise you must resist the flesh by such means as fasting; for by fasting the flesh is weakened.

The fourth way is to keep oneself busy with wholesome occupations: “Idleness hath taught much evil” [Sir 23:29]. Again: “This was the iniquity of Sodom your sister, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance, and the idleness of her” [Ez 16:49]. St. Jerome says: “Be always busy in doing something good, so that the devil may find you ever occupied.” Now, study of the Scriptures is the best of all occupations, as St. Jerome tells us: “Love to study the Scriptures and you will not love the vices of the flesh” [Ad Paulin.].

pintswithaquinas.com

Aquinas' 4 Ways to Overcome Lust - Pints with Aquinas

pintswithaquinas.com pintswithaquinas.com
 
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Ok. Saint Augustine.
But just wondering…how did he overcome his addiction?

Neil
 
Neil said:
But just wondering…how did he overcome his addiction?
Click to expand...
I can’t recall if he states a specific strategy , from what I remember he reflects more about how he had passions which drove him and explains why (because he lacked God in his life, and thus was looking outside of him to quench a thirst that could only be quenched by God…language like that which is really amazing and helpful to me)
 
Hello is this Matt Fradd?

Thank you.
I am currently doing the Strive course and use Covenant Eyes but things still get through.
My father is my accountability partner right now and I’m getting counseling.

I think St. Dymphna is also good for me to help heal from mental health issues.

Neil
 
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Is this Matt Fradd I’m messaging?

Just wondering.

Yes, it’s good to hear the Christian message against the culture’s message of everything being acceptable. I don’t think God would want me lusting after women like the culture says is okay.

I also like Heart to Heart Counseling.

Neil
 
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Augustine came to the realization that his addiction to sex (which he graphically describes as a type of slavery) was not satisfying him. He found something deeper inside himself that made him hunger for more, for wisdom, and he began to pursue the light of truth he found in philosophy, eventually leading to a definitive grace filled conversion moment.
 
The Blessed Mother - example of purity.
Saint Elzear and Blessed Delphina - lived a chaste marriage as she had taken a vow of perpetual virginity before their marriage.

But, like ports to a ship’s captain, any Saint in a storm!
 
The big ones are St. Augustine and St. Mary of Egypt.
You can also ask St. Monica to pray for you as she prayed for her son St. Augustine.
And of course, ask the Blessed Mother to help you.

As for how St. Augustine finally beat his addiction, he pretty much just got sick and tired of living the way he was, and it wasn’t bringing him pleasure any more and he wanted to be closer to God instead. So after he had pretty much hit rock bottom, God gave him the grace.
 
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