Based on what Saint Francis says about sorrow and the good/bad aspects of it, what do you think (if anything) it tells us about the emphasis on Mary being the “Mother of Sorrows” and having a “Sorrowful Heart”? There is a common misconception that if someone is a Christian, then they shouldn’t suffer from depression, etc. How can this very real issue be handled in a loving manner? How might the advice of Saint Francis help? Do you find it ironic that, as Saint Francis describes it, the devil attac: Do you find it ironic that, as Saint Francis describes it, the devil attacks with giving pleasure to the sinner and sadness to the one doing God’s work? How can we preemptively ward of the influence of evil?
How might we find the strength to pray and stay encouraged when we are facing times of sadness and sorrow? How can we help another?

 

 

PM

VisitationSiste: So how did you experience this topic on sadness?

 

Aug 6, 7:33 PM

Lisa C: Hard

Aug 6, 7:33 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Happy Feast of the Transfiguration, everyone! I love this feast! I try to imagine myself present on Mt. Tabor at the time and see my Lord in His Glory.

Aug 6, 7:33 PM

VisitationSiste: How beautiful!

 

Aug 6, 7:34 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (judy) It was not an easy read but gave some food for thought in the discussion questions.

Aug 6, 7:34 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi everyone! this is a difference here, the print, wonderful

Aug 6, 7:34 PM

VisitationSiste: I don’t like recalling my years of depression yet it is God who healed and for that I rejoice

 

Aug 6, 7:34 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Dawn

 

Aug 6, 7:34 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Mother

Aug 6, 7:35 PM

Lisa C: I liked St Peter’s testimony today

Aug 6, 7:35 PM

VisitationSiste: which aspect?

 

Aug 6, 7:35 PM

Lisa C: That it happened and is real

Aug 6, 7:35 PM

Lisa C: That was powerful

Aug 6, 7:36 PM

Lisa C: I knew it was, but it was by faith, but he kind of said it is real I saw it it is not a myth

Aug 6, 7:36 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Reminder of the importance of our relationship with Jesus and how we can each Shine to others through our connection to our Lord Jesus !!!

Aug 6, 7:37 PM

Lisa C: I do not know why it struck me today

Aug 6, 7:37 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Quest. 1 Mary surely had good reason to suffer and feel sorrow as she watched her Son die. But her suffering and sorrow were born from the love she had for Jesus and did not have bad effects on her. This is reflected in the fact the accepted John as her son as given by Jesus. And through him, all of us are her children.

Aug 6, 7:37 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes the Orthodox also highly regard this Feast and find much to mull over in it. It is my cousin’s birthday today- what a feast

 

Aug 6, 7:37 PM

Lisa C: I had no question but it felt solid

Aug 6, 7:37 PM

Lisa C: St Peter said so, so we can believe it

Aug 6, 7:38 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes.

 

Aug 6, 7:38 PM

VisitationSiste: And suffering and sorrow are so much a part of life so Mary as Mother of Sorrows tells us we can go to her with anything

 

Aug 6, 7:41 PM

VisitationSiste: Her sorrows were based on reality and she shows us how to handle them by continuing to love throughout the pain

 

Aug 6, 7:41 PM

Lisa C: The last line was reassuring about God it when He has tested us enough

Aug 6, 7:41 PM

Lisa C: stopping

Aug 6, 7:41 PM

Lisa C: Typing on phone not good sorry

Aug 6, 7:42 PM

VisitationSiste: Depression is a disease but sorrow is not

 

Aug 6, 7:42 PM

Lisa C: Last line….when God has tested us enough He stops the suffering

Aug 6, 7:43 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Suffering and sorrow are surely part of everyone’s life. The misconception that Christians should not suffer from depression is unrealistic. There are in most people’s lives that lead to depression. there is a factor unknown to St. Francis, that of chemical imbalances in the brain which lead to depression.

Aug 6, 7:44 PM

VisitationSiste: St Francis warned of a kind of sadness that leads to despair

 

Aug 6, 7:44 PM

VisitationSiste: It is true Christains should be joyful but that statement needs to be qualified that if you are not and for no obvious reason, you may havethe disease of depression

 

Aug 6, 7:45 PM

Dawn (Guest): is despair a sin, Mother, think I read that. but how can it be in the midst of depression?

Aug 6, 7:45 PM

Dawn (Guest): you answered !

Aug 6, 7:45 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) This would have been unknown to the people of his time. It can be handled lovingly by being supportive of the individual and taking care not to seem to be holding him responsible for the condition. Also, taking St. Francis’ advice, encourage the person to persevere in prayer, letting his worda nd actions be of love for and trust in God. Praying in a positive manner, even if the feelings are not present, can help to life the spirits.

Aug 6, 7:46 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) ////That should be “Lift” the spirits.

Aug 6, 7:46 PM

VisitationSiste: ask the person what he/she thinks would help

 

Aug 6, 7:46 PM

Lisa C: I am guessing that with sadness and depression we can turn to God, but despair is when you feel like there is nothing to help. That would be a sin to forget that God is there for you.

Aug 6, 7:46 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Longsuffering is a powerful Fruit of the Spirit that penetrates the unbeliever and points them to Christ . God will allow us to go through sufferering and even longsuffering in order to help others to come to Him ! It is a precious way for us to serve God in this life !

Aug 6, 7:48 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) It is in times of despair that we need most to persevere in prayer. To give up prayer is giving the evil one an easy entree into the soul.

Aug 6, 7:48 PM

Dawn (Guest): Yes, Brian. is this you? longsuffering….it does penetrate in order that person will turn to Christ. in that way, it is then a grace from God!

Aug 6, 7:49 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Even when we can’t the Holy Spirit can pray for us !

Aug 6, 7:51 PM

Ruth (Guest): I’ve been here for ten or fifteen minutes, did not see where to sign in; just reading what you’ve been writing. New fonts much easier to see; more scrolling needed though, but that’s ok.

Aug 6, 7:51 PM

Ruth (Guest): Hi everyone.

Aug 6, 7:51 PM

VisitationSiste: When one is in the grip of deep sadness it is not easy to follow all this advice- I think sometimes we need another to help

 

Aug 6, 7:51 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Ruth Glad you got here

 

Aug 6, 7:52 PM

Dawn (Guest): more a question… we can pray asking the Holy Spirit, interceding for another person

Aug 6, 7:53 PM

VisitationSiste: Oh yes

 

Aug 6, 7:53 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth, I decreased overall font size, then was able to see who is in room. glad you are here

Aug 6, 7:54 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Dawn , I have been around people my whole life who have experienced longsuffering . Those people helped me to come back to Jesus ! Their suffering and Faith through the suffering pointed me to Jesus !

Aug 6, 7:54 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you

Aug 6, 7:54 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Hi Ruth! Brian

Aug 6, 7:55 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you for being here Brian and sharing

Aug 6, 7:57 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Hi Ruth! It occurs to me that we might need to pre-prepare for the possibility of depression in our own lives. Keeping in mind Paul’s words to the Corinthians in chapter 13:7 [Love} always protects, always trusts, always hopes,always perseveres.” If we love the Lord, we need to reflect on this verse and recall that love always trusts, hopes and perseveres. This should be an encouragement to us.

Aug 6, 7:58 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) And we need to have it so imbued in us, that if and when depression comes, we can call on these words to spur us on.

Aug 6, 7:58 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Thank You Dawn ! You are all a Bright Light for our Lord Jesus !

Aug 6, 8:00 PM

Lisa C: I am not sure a person can pray themselves out of depression, they should pray and also see a Physician

Aug 6, 8:00 PM

VisitationSiste: This question is related in terms of “warding off evil” : Do you find it ironic that, as Saint Francis describes it, the devil attacks with giving pleasure to the sinner and sadness to the one doing God’s work? How can we preemptively ward of the influence of evil?

 

Aug 6, 8:01 PM

Dawn (Guest): By praying unceasingly!

Aug 6, 8:01 PM

VisitationSiste: Oh yes thank you

 

Aug 6, 8:02 PM

Ruth (Guest): I wonder if it is not by “going to the mountain top” at least once.

Aug 6, 8:02 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (JUdy) I agree that a person cannot pray himself out of depression but should seek the help of a physician who can prescribe medication if necessary. This option was not available to St. Francis.

Aug 6, 8:02 PM

Ruth (Guest): Of course, that was not enough for Peter, so maybe that’s not the answer.

Aug 6, 8:03 PM

Lisa C: There was a news story this week about a woman who’s pastor told her to stop her psych meds and just pray. She 5hen crashed her car and lived in a field eating bugs for 17 days until they found her.

Aug 6, 8:03 PM

Dawn (Guest): The Jesus Prayer…I saw a doc about monks and nuns too who unceasingly pray Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.

Aug 6, 8:03 PM

Ruth (Guest): I was think of my dear friend, Jeannine. She seemed to have the “joy of the Lord” deep in her heart — even when she was in pain and terminally ill.

Aug 6, 8:04 PM

VisitationSiste: The Jesus prayer is very key in the Eastern Church

 

Aug 6, 8:05 PM

Dawn (Guest): oh yes, I believe they were Orthodox , eastern. they used prayer ropes, not a rosary.

Aug 6, 8:05 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) It makes sense that the devil would give pleasure to the sinner which could keep him in the state of sin. And giving sadness to one doing God’s work is done to discourage the continuation of such works. Why give up sin when it is pleasureable! Why persevere in good works if they bring sadness. Once again, prayer must be engaged in constantly to ward off the influence of evil, strengthening the individual to war against it.

Aug 6, 8:05 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Pray for my Friend Peter . A successful Doctor in Richmond Virginia . Have not seen him in over 30 years . We had reunion this afternoon at his Moms wake . His wife left him 2 years ago and I could really feel the pain he was going through . He shared a lot and you could see he was looking for help . I shared my Faith . Planted a seed ! Pray for Peter to come to Jesus !

Aug 6, 8:06 PM

Lisa C: Will pray

Aug 6, 8:06 PM

Ruth (Guest): They consider the Jesus prayer part of “centering prayer.” My friend and sort of spiritual director Sr. Charlotte warned against that one time when I was considering making a retreat in which that was discribed.

Aug 6, 8:06 PM

VisitationSiste: I will be praying

 

Aug 6, 8:06 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi Carol Anne

 

Aug 6, 8:06 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (JUdy) Me too, in fact I just did.

Aug 6, 8:07 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Hi Carol Ann.

Aug 6, 8:07 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Carol Ann

Aug 6, 8:07 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Thank you All !

Aug 6, 8:08 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Hi Carol Ann !

Aug 6, 8:08 PM

Carol Ann: Hi! Sorry I am so late

 

Aug 6, 8:09 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) You made it. that’s what counts!

Aug 6, 8:09 PM

Carol Ann: When I am sad or depressed and pray, the sadness does not necessarily go away, but there comes a calm and strength in the core

 

Aug 6, 8:10 PM

Ruth (Guest): Is that you Brian, asking for prayers for Peter. Gladly. I imagine that it is extremely difficult to be a married physician — too many demands on one’s time and even emotional energy.

Aug 6, 8:10 PM

Ruth (Guest): Welcome, Carol Ann!

Aug 6, 8:11 PM

Carol Ann: Hi Ruth!

 

Aug 6, 8:11 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Soo true Ruth ! A busy life can really destroy relationships !

Aug 6, 8:12 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) My response to question 4 is rather lengthy and will probably take 3 separate entries to complete it.

Aug 6, 8:12 PM

Ruth (Guest): And then to lose his mother, too.

Aug 6, 8:13 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) He certainly has reason to be sorrowful!

Aug 6, 8:13 PM

VisitationSiste: We will be happy to read all 3

 

Aug 6, 8:13 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): He was really hurting but you could see him

Aug 6, 8:13 PM

Ruth (Guest): Marriage is meant for the couple to lead one another to the Triune God, so when it goes badly, people often find their Faith, too, sorely tried.

Aug 6, 8:14 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Brighten up as he shared stories from past and support he had received from my parents and my Sister !

Aug 6, 8:14 PM

Dawn (Guest): at the end of commentary on Transfiguration, they show painting of Christ crucified, John, Mother Mary , and Mary at foot of cross. The speaker asks…why did John not abandon and leave Jesus as the other two did…the priest then says, because he leaned into Mary. He cleaved to her, as the painting showed. It was a clear moment (for me) this is why he stayed!

Aug 6, 8:16 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) We find the strength to pray and stay encouraged in times of sadness and sorrow by persevering in prayer. Continuing in prayer displays our trust in the Lord and can increase it at the same time. The very act of persevering in prayer increases the positive effects on the person and works to keep the evil away.

Aug 6, 8:16 PM

Carol Ann: Oh, Dawn, That is beautiful. I never saw that either but it is so true

 

Aug 6, 8:17 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) We can help another by praying with him and for him, modeling the kind of prayer that keeps the focus on God’s goodness and love and off the sorrow the person is experiencing. As in many things in life, it is important for us to accentuate the positive.

Aug 6, 8:18 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Amen Judy !

Aug 6, 8:18 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) And as I mentioned earlier, if there is a very deep depression that is lasting a long time, suggest that the individual see help from a psychiatrist wh can prescribe medication.

Aug 6, 8:18 PM

Dawn (Guest): Our Blessed Mother will help us in our sorrow, help us to stay.

Aug 6, 8:19 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Taking medication is not a sign of lack of trust in the Lord, but is taking advantage of a means of help available.

Aug 6, 8:20 PM

Dawn (Guest): sometimes, people in a deep depression or perhaps other evil influences happening, can not hear to seek help.

Aug 6, 8:21 PM

VisitationSiste: Today there is care about discerning what is pyschiatric and what is pure evil

 

Aug 6, 8:21 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (JUdy) But perhaps the people who know him or her well can suggest the possibility to him or her.

Aug 6, 8:21 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Soo True Judy and Dawn !

Aug 6, 8:21 PM

Carol Ann: I think it is important to remember that while prain during stress that we keep the focus on God. Maybe mention the problem, ut focus on God, so that thoughts about the problem do not take His place in our thoughts

 

Aug 6, 8:21 PM

VisitationSiste: To stay encouraged is to sit with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and give all to Him

 

Aug 6, 8:23 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Amen Carol Ann and Sister Susan !

Aug 6, 8:23 PM

Ruth (Guest): I have had some times when sorely tried — becoming aware that Satan or one of his honchos is trying to intrude even on my prayers; I found it helps to say out loud “I belong to Jesus!” and then go about some menial task trusting in that relationship. The action becomes a kind of prayer. Even a simple distraction like a puzzle undertaken when the negative thoughts seem to be grabbing you in a downward spiral, undertaken in trust that it is better to “waste” a little time on that than to let yourself be wa

Aug 6, 8:23 PM

Ruth (Guest): let yourself be wasted by battling what is too big for you.

Aug 6, 8:24 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) I have heard someone describe sitting before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as X-Ray therapy for the soul. One does not need to say anything. Simply make your need known to Jesus and simply sit in His presence.

Aug 6, 8:24 PM

Carol Ann: I do that too, Ruth

 

Aug 6, 8:24 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Amen Ruth !

Aug 6, 8:25 PM

Ruth (Guest): I like that: x-ray therapy for the soul.

Aug 6, 8:25 PM

Ruth (Guest): Or basking in the Son.

Aug 6, 8:25 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Soo true Judy !

Aug 6, 8:26 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) I like that Ruth.

Aug 6, 8:26 PM

Dawn (Guest): me too

Aug 6, 8:26 PM

Carol Ann:

 

Aug 6, 8:27 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): I will remember to share that Ruth !

Aug 6, 8:28 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Just imagine yourself sitting before the Blessed Sacrament and imagine rays emanating from the sacred host, piercing through to your heart. Surely the Lord is doing that even though no rays are visible.

Aug 6, 8:28 PM

VisitationSiste: Reality!

 

Aug 6, 8:29 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) I just thought of Padre Pio’s maxim: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Aug 6, 8:29 PM

Ruth (Guest): Once it happened in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, when a specially commissioned healing minister was praying over me. . . It was a terrible experience . .. I’ll spare you the details, but Satan was quoting Sacred Scripture to try to get me to disbelieve in the Eucharist.

Aug 6, 8:29 PM

Lisa C: The Holy Spirit comes from Jesus to us from the Host

Aug 6, 8:29 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you Mother….! reality

Aug 6, 8:29 PM

Carol Ann: There is a whole nother world that we cannot see where things like that happen. Artists catch glimpses with their paintings

 

Aug 6, 8:30 PM

Lisa C: I also send the Holy Spirit from the Host to people

Aug 6, 8:30 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) That must have been terrifying, Ruth. I hope that you were able to persevere in prayer during the experience.

Aug 6, 8:31 PM

VisitationSiste: You have such strong faith!

 

Aug 6, 8:31 PM

VisitationSiste: We pray for Langdon and Peter this week and for each other!

 

Aug 6, 8:31 PM

Lisa C: God bless all of you

Aug 6, 8:31 PM

VisitationSiste: Enjoy the Feasts of St Dominic too

 

Aug 6, 8:31 PM

Carol Ann: Yes as always ! God bless us, every one!

 

Aug 6, 8:31 PM

VisitationSiste: God bless !

 

Aug 6, 8:32 PM

Ruth (Guest): I had to ask the minister to stop. I saw the pretty colors from a stained glass window, and instead of arguing Scripture with the Impostor, I reminded myself that I am here — here on Earth and “here” in the altar area to Praise God. So I began praising God for the Red; praising God for the Blue . . . . on and on. Afterward for many, many years, if I saw these colors again, esp. the Blue, I could not help but joyfully praise and thank God.

Aug 6, 8:33 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) May we all spend a little time on Mt. Tabor and be with the Transfigured Lord in His glory. Let us give Him all the love, adoration and gratitude that is His due. Have a blessed week, everyone.

Aug 6, 8:33 PM

Carol Ann: Ruth, some truly amazing things have happened to you!

 

Aug 6, 8:33 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): It is good to know that Jesus has won the Victory over the enemy and we can call on Jesus to help any time we are under attack ! Childlike Faith in Jesus removes the enemy quickly !!!

Aug 6, 8:33 PM

Guest6770 (Guest): (Judy) Ruth, the Lord is truly at work in you.

Aug 6, 8:34 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you for sharing Ruth, these stories of our experiences are helpful!

Aug 6, 8:34 PM

Ruth (Guest): Yes Brian 3553 it is so.

Aug 6, 8:35 PM

Ruth (Guest): Let us do what we can, with the help of God, to defeat the Enemy both inside and outside of ourselves — and not worry too much about what we cannot do.

Aug 6, 8:35 PM

Carol Ann: Having come through times of persecution it gladden me to find I am not alone

 

Aug 6, 8:36 PM

Dawn (Guest): Amen.

Aug 6, 8:37 PM

Ruth (Guest): I feel that my Jesus Chat friends understand and appreciate. Thank you! Here I am not “throwing my pearls to the swines.”

Aug 6, 8:37 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): Amen ! It is such a help to have friends like you ! God Bless You All ! Brian

Aug 6, 8:37 PM

Dawn (Guest): May I…ask for prayers for my intentions over a family member, prayers for protection

Aug 6, 8:38 PM

Ruth (Guest): Of course, Dawn. Sending them to the Lord for your family member.

Aug 6, 8:38 PM

Guest3553 (Guest): I am praying now Dawn !

Aug 6, 8:38 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you

Aug 6, 8:39 PM

Carol Ann: I will pray too

 

Aug 6, 8:41 PM

Dawn (Guest): I’m thanking God for our chat group, for our friendship. such a blessing! my prayers with all of you! Good’night <3

Aug 6, 8:45 PM

Ruth (Guest): Good night. Blessings on all of you.