Turning Depression into a Sacrifice

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Rhonda_Renee

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During the liturgy, I’ve heard the priest refer to turning suffering into prayer and a sacrifice to God. I want to learn how to do this. I suffer from Severe Major Depression (i.e. I’ve been hospitalized for it and it was brought on by a brain trauma so, it’s chemical and not situational) I pray to Christ to help me get through the days that I absolutely can’t stand myself – but I’d like to learn to do more. I see my current method of prayer as me praying ABOUT my depression – the idea of turning my depression into a prayer or sacrifice is a great idea, I just can’t get my mind around it.
I’d appreciate any personal or book recommendations.
Thanks
🙂
 
During the offertory at Mass, we are to unite our sacrifices with the Sacrifice that is made present on the altar. Since the Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of the Cross, it is the perfect time to unite your suffering to it 👍 . A simple prayer that expresses that intention will do just fine 🙂
 
Hi Rhonda… God bless you as you struggle with Depression. I too suffer from severe Depression which I have had since my pre-teens (am 34 now).

The only consolations I have had with my depression is by meditating on my body being the Temple of God in which the Spirit of God resides within it. If I meditate on this then it helps me to feel that I am not alone and that the Spirit of God is always within me.

I really hope this thread doesn’t degenerate into medical advice or people telling you to be positive, get over it and other similar things. In the last thread I posted I was suffering from heavy spiritual attacks but others just zoned in on the depression alone and it caused me to take a long break from CAF.

Anyways, aside from meditating on my body as the Temple of God I joined the Guild of Saint Benedict Labre. This is a group for those suffering from depression and other mental illnesses. It is a great comfort to know that everyone who is part of this group prays for each other. I contacted them and they quickly sent my a packet of information.

One thing that stuck out for me is a quote from Mother Teresa of Calcutta on the Guild’s webpage in which she said: “Mental illness is represented by Jesus’ Crown of Thorns”

Which is another way one can meditate upon our depression in unity with Our Lord in the pain he suffered with the crown of thorns.

The Guild’s website is:

http://guildbjlabre.com/

I don’t know what else to say. To suffer from depression is not easy and add to it the struggles one has in ones daily faith life makes it all the much harder.

My prayers are with you and I humbly ask for your prayers for me as well.

God bless you. (PM me anytime you’d like)

Edited to add: Polish… please PM me. 😉
 
Rhonda,

I just posted on another thread about depression/spiritual struggles,… I wrote as follows:

"…I have been experiencing a very serious bout with depression and anxiety for the past 4 months. I am seeking treatment, but many days seem like an absolute struggle… I too have the feeling like I want the struggle to be over and just want peace. I am not having the same struggle with sin as you seem to be having (don’t get me wrong, I am still very much a sinner)… but I also get frustrated when people tell me just to pray more or go to Mass and confession more (I go to Mass daily and confession monthly, I also pray a holy hour each day–I just mention this to make the point that prayer does not always ensure spiritual/psychological peace).

I have looked at other people–and said to myself–why is this happening to ME… I try to be faithful to God… why am I thrown into this darkness.

One thing that I have learned through my experience is that, I have been made to totally rely on God EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE for my own survival. That is a humbling thing… and I hope that it is something that will transform me. God can bring all kinds of grace and good out of the darkest of things. It helps me just to say to God–'God, I am not going to worry about my suffering or the future… I am just going to pray this rosary, read the Bible, or pray before the Blessed Sacrament and be with you… I am going to let You worry about me for a change.

Take one day at a time… learn what it really means to Trust.
Let us pray for one another. You are definitely not alone. "

I just wrote this to let you know that there is yet one more person who is in spiritual solidarity with you. It also strengthens me to know that there are others out there struggling with the same thing. My depression is also largely biochemical and, whatever emotional/situational factors may be involved… they are a mystery to me. Depression is a widespread and yet rarely discussed problem. I think it is a good thing to be able to bring it out into the open.

Some books that I have seen on depression from a Catholic perspective:

Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach
amazon.com/Surviving-Depression-Kathryn-James-Hermes/dp/0819870773/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2624354-6792639?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174920270&sr=8-1

Protect Us from All Anxiety: Meditations for the Depressed.
amazon.com/Protect-All-Anxiety-Meditations-Depressed/dp/0879461845/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2624354-6792639?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174920347&sr=1-1

The former was written by a religious sister, the later by a parish priest. I have not read much from the priest’s book because I started reading it when I just was diagnosed, and somethings he wrote about (his spiritual anguish) were scaring the **** out of me. Now, I have experienced depression a little bit and would be strong enough to read about it. The main thing: these people got through, so can the rest of us.

Maryam, thanks for the reference to the Guild website… never heard of it before.
Let us pray for one another.
 
AngelicDoctor… You’re welcome. 🙂 I hope others with depression or other forms of mental illness will join the guild. Even Father Benedict Groeschel gives the guild his approval.

As for the book recommendations you gave I have the first one… “Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach” by Kathryn Hermes. I found that this book is good for those with light depression or who have alittle bit of the blues. Some of the exercises of making lists, prayer suggestions and mantras (a no no for me) are so-so. All in all I didn’t feel this book was good for me… but if anyone suffering from depression is interested in this book I will gladly mail my copy of the book FREE OF CHARGE to anyone that asks for it. Just PM me with your info and I will mail it. It may not have helped me but could be of use to someone else! 👍

The other book I haven’t read or heard about it.

God bless and yes… Let us all pray for each other! Amen!
AngelicDoctor said:
Rhonda,

Take one day at a time… learn what it really means to Trust.
Let us pray for one another. You are definitely not alone. "

I just wrote this to let you know that there is yet one more person who is in spiritual solidarity with you. It also strengthens me to know that there are others out there struggling with the same thing.

Some books that I have seen on depression from a Catholic perspective:

Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach
amazon.com/Surviving-Depression-Kathryn-James-Hermes/dp/0819870773/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2624354-6792639?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174920270&sr=8-1

Protect Us from All Anxiety: Meditations for the Depressed.
amazon.com/Protect-All-Anxiety-Meditations-Depressed/dp/0879461845/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2624354-6792639?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174920347&sr=1-1

Maryam, thanks for the reference to the Guild website… never heard of it before.
Let us pray for one another.
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Thank you all for your posts and suggestions. I will look up the books and website. 🙂
 
Hello Rhonda Renee,

God bless you! I was listening to a CD on my way to work by Jeff Cavins. The title is “15 Things to do in the Midst of Suffering”.

A friend of mine subscribed to lighthousecatholicmedia.com and gave me the CD.

I will spend some time to see if I can find out a free version of the CD on internet.

Also, a spritual reading that I consider to be great help for me is the “Diary of St. Faustina”… she was ill and offer every bit of it to God.

oh, here is one from Pope JPII:
catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=277
God bless.
 
Maryam said:
AngelicDoctor… You’re welcome. 🙂 I hope others with depression or other forms of mental illness will join the guild. Even Father Benedict Groeschel gives the guild his approval. quote]

Maryam,

Thanks–I check out the Guild and enrolled. Spiritual solidarity and the communion of the saints at work!
Click to expand...
 
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