In honour of St Philip Neri: Telling someone depression is a sin is like telling a paralysed man to get up and walk, but without any of Christ’s power to make it happen.
Not being able to 'feel' joy is not a mortal sin, it's a defect alright, an imperfection I agree 100%. But it's quite violent to say to a soul with no solid support that the Holy Spirit left her too... I can't check it by myself... And the priest is an minister of God and my only aid on the narrow path...
So that article is an outside voice, saying to me that it's not out of a rebelious evil spirit that I think the priest was wrong... I don't mind the priest being human and imperfect as I am too, I only thank God and the writer for the consolation of the Churches teachings, saying that I am still loved when I don't 'feel' it 🌸 🕊
Discovering the Desert Fathers, it amazes me that depression as a medical condition is attributed to the founding fathers of the pseudo-science that is psychology, which is now storming as a science in seminaries and is treated as a downright golden cure for everything. The Desert Fathers long ago knew much more about the subject than psychotherapy is now trying to do by adding drugs and sessions, which many studies confirm do more harm than good. Priests are now treated as psychotherapists, with the Sacrament of Confession acting as a therapy session. Acedia is perhaps the best term, and reading the Apoftegmata of the Desert Fathers is like drawing from a pure source that is now completely forgotten in the Catholic Church. From the Desert Fathers later saints and mystics of the Catholic Church drew, creating works that are like a bandage for pained souls plunged into spiritual Acedia. Rather, the author should start with those who discovered the subject of depression, researched it and, based on their years of experience in the desert, came up with remedies that realistically bring healing.
That might be what amazes you. What amazes me is that you would come and write a wall of text on this site about an article that you have either not read, or not understood!
The article is about St Thomas and his treatment of the issue, not modern psychology except perhaps tangentially.
But why let the facts get in the way of an opportunity to showcase a wall of text?
I apologize if it had that tone. I read your article with great interest and I really like the teachings of St. Thomas and St. Philip. I am totally captivated by the teachings of the Desert Fathers and what I read about their fight against all sorts of temptations, demons or even spiritual depression makes me fall into great surprise when now the post-conciliar Catholic Church tries to make the faithful believe that modern psychology is the desired cure. In fact, even the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas have been completely kicked out the door. There is a kind of indignation in me that the Apophthegms of the Desert Fathers, short and to the point continue to be an undiscovered treasure. Acedia, according to the ancient teachings of the Desert Fathers, is one of the most difficult challenges on the road to spiritual perfection. It is not just temporary fatigue or sluggishness, but a spiritual depression that manifests itself as anguish of the heart and mind. In this state, a person's mind is overwhelmed not only by sadness, but also by a sense of hopelessness, making even the simplest prayer a torment. It is this spiritual depression that causes a person to see his life as a failure, and his heart is closed to all hope. In the case of non-believers, the matter is simple, there is no question of the soul, and all sorts of other arguments are sought to explain this condition.
I suffer from depression. I do everything I can on my end to push through low energy level and lack of motivation by eating right, exercise, sunlight, taking L-Tyrosine, cognitive therapy (knowing my bad mental habits and changing the negative thought process) and having a spiritual life. Doing those things does help to mitigate the effects of depression. If you were to look at me you wouldn't know that I struggle with depression (plus I suffer from chronic pain). When I do open up and tell someone what I deal with I have to be patient with them, some want to go into fix it mode. I've been at fixing myself for years. I do remember what that's like not being able to understand how people were depressed. Out of ignorance I thought they should snap out of it. For those, whose body does act properly, normally you would be able to bounce back. If it were the case most people would snap out of the depression. It's a horrible place to be feeling like the life is being sucked out of you. I now know that when people commit suicide it's not because they are selfish but because they want the pain to stop. I'm just lucky enough I have a very strong will to live and my faith helps to keep me alive. It's a cross that only Christ can help me to carry and I'm grateful for this cross. I have something to offer him. He knows my burdens and I only need his validation about what I go through.
Thank you for writing this article because some still see this issue as if were just a matter of fixing the chemical imbalance and having a spiritual life. If that were the case nobody would choose to have this issue.
(I think it can be vaccine driven (anthrax shots), how many shots you have been given, something in those shots may be able to change your dna, combination of environmental factors. This could be a reason for an increase of depression. I'm sure depression has been around since the beginning but not to the extent that we see the population dealing with it now in my opinion.)
This reminds me a lot of the story of Job, where God condemned all of his friends for being, well, poor friends by not consoling him properly. They either told him he "deserved" it because of his supposedly many sins, or because he was lacklustre, or just to "Cheer Up!™" The only friend who actually got it right was the one who remained silent with him. He was the most honest one of them all because in his humility he knew he had nothing "good" to say about it. He was just "present" with him during his troubles. I think God later scoffed him off because he kept quiet for too long or something but I can't remember that part... Anyway, it's a good story.
Thank you for your piece. I enjoy your articles on LifeSiteNews.
As a Catholic convert, my life was once dominated by depression and self-destructive thoughts. When I was an atheist, depression nearly led me to end my life. I still struggle with depression as a Catholic - I think all of us are apt to hold to habitual ways of thinking which have developed over a long period of time. It is often a daily fight to choose Truth.
It is so simple a concept to surrender all of this to Jesus Christ. Yet in my fallenness (and stubbornness), it can be very difficult in practice!
Sorry if this is all a bit heavy, but I'm happy to see a sensible post like this, and to share my experience. Thanks again.
Thank you..
Thank you for this...
A priest once told me that not being in a joyful state was a sign that I lacked the Holy Spirit... It did not lighten the burden...
The priest probably meant feeling a sense of joy even in the midst of suffering.
Maybe... I can't judge hearts...
The problem stays the same.
Not being able to 'feel' joy is not a mortal sin, it's a defect alright, an imperfection I agree 100%. But it's quite violent to say to a soul with no solid support that the Holy Spirit left her too... I can't check it by myself... And the priest is an minister of God and my only aid on the narrow path...
So that article is an outside voice, saying to me that it's not out of a rebelious evil spirit that I think the priest was wrong... I don't mind the priest being human and imperfect as I am too, I only thank God and the writer for the consolation of the Churches teachings, saying that I am still loved when I don't 'feel' it 🌸 🕊
In corde Mariæ 🤍
You definitely are still loved when you don't feel it.
By God, and by us here at WM!
Not a very helpful thing to say.
Well done. This is the kind of Thomistic realism that is needed and helpful. More, please.
Discovering the Desert Fathers, it amazes me that depression as a medical condition is attributed to the founding fathers of the pseudo-science that is psychology, which is now storming as a science in seminaries and is treated as a downright golden cure for everything. The Desert Fathers long ago knew much more about the subject than psychotherapy is now trying to do by adding drugs and sessions, which many studies confirm do more harm than good. Priests are now treated as psychotherapists, with the Sacrament of Confession acting as a therapy session. Acedia is perhaps the best term, and reading the Apoftegmata of the Desert Fathers is like drawing from a pure source that is now completely forgotten in the Catholic Church. From the Desert Fathers later saints and mystics of the Catholic Church drew, creating works that are like a bandage for pained souls plunged into spiritual Acedia. Rather, the author should start with those who discovered the subject of depression, researched it and, based on their years of experience in the desert, came up with remedies that realistically bring healing.
That might be what amazes you. What amazes me is that you would come and write a wall of text on this site about an article that you have either not read, or not understood!
The article is about St Thomas and his treatment of the issue, not modern psychology except perhaps tangentially.
But why let the facts get in the way of an opportunity to showcase a wall of text?
I apologize if it had that tone. I read your article with great interest and I really like the teachings of St. Thomas and St. Philip. I am totally captivated by the teachings of the Desert Fathers and what I read about their fight against all sorts of temptations, demons or even spiritual depression makes me fall into great surprise when now the post-conciliar Catholic Church tries to make the faithful believe that modern psychology is the desired cure. In fact, even the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas have been completely kicked out the door. There is a kind of indignation in me that the Apophthegms of the Desert Fathers, short and to the point continue to be an undiscovered treasure. Acedia, according to the ancient teachings of the Desert Fathers, is one of the most difficult challenges on the road to spiritual perfection. It is not just temporary fatigue or sluggishness, but a spiritual depression that manifests itself as anguish of the heart and mind. In this state, a person's mind is overwhelmed not only by sadness, but also by a sense of hopelessness, making even the simplest prayer a torment. It is this spiritual depression that causes a person to see his life as a failure, and his heart is closed to all hope. In the case of non-believers, the matter is simple, there is no question of the soul, and all sorts of other arguments are sought to explain this condition.
I suffer from depression. I do everything I can on my end to push through low energy level and lack of motivation by eating right, exercise, sunlight, taking L-Tyrosine, cognitive therapy (knowing my bad mental habits and changing the negative thought process) and having a spiritual life. Doing those things does help to mitigate the effects of depression. If you were to look at me you wouldn't know that I struggle with depression (plus I suffer from chronic pain). When I do open up and tell someone what I deal with I have to be patient with them, some want to go into fix it mode. I've been at fixing myself for years. I do remember what that's like not being able to understand how people were depressed. Out of ignorance I thought they should snap out of it. For those, whose body does act properly, normally you would be able to bounce back. If it were the case most people would snap out of the depression. It's a horrible place to be feeling like the life is being sucked out of you. I now know that when people commit suicide it's not because they are selfish but because they want the pain to stop. I'm just lucky enough I have a very strong will to live and my faith helps to keep me alive. It's a cross that only Christ can help me to carry and I'm grateful for this cross. I have something to offer him. He knows my burdens and I only need his validation about what I go through.
Thank you for writing this article because some still see this issue as if were just a matter of fixing the chemical imbalance and having a spiritual life. If that were the case nobody would choose to have this issue.
(I think it can be vaccine driven (anthrax shots), how many shots you have been given, something in those shots may be able to change your dna, combination of environmental factors. This could be a reason for an increase of depression. I'm sure depression has been around since the beginning but not to the extent that we see the population dealing with it now in my opinion.)
Thank you fir your comment Marissa and I'm sorry to hear about your pain.
Going on a run is, for me, the cure for the blues. It always works!
Indeed, running is great. I'm looking forward to middle-aged knee problems....
This reminds me a lot of the story of Job, where God condemned all of his friends for being, well, poor friends by not consoling him properly. They either told him he "deserved" it because of his supposedly many sins, or because he was lacklustre, or just to "Cheer Up!™" The only friend who actually got it right was the one who remained silent with him. He was the most honest one of them all because in his humility he knew he had nothing "good" to say about it. He was just "present" with him during his troubles. I think God later scoffed him off because he kept quiet for too long or something but I can't remember that part... Anyway, it's a good story.
Please God this article is read, and taken to heart, far and wide. You have done a great good for a great many by your efforts. Thank you!!
Many thanks Julia. Please do share it yourself!
Thank you for your piece. I enjoy your articles on LifeSiteNews.
As a Catholic convert, my life was once dominated by depression and self-destructive thoughts. When I was an atheist, depression nearly led me to end my life. I still struggle with depression as a Catholic - I think all of us are apt to hold to habitual ways of thinking which have developed over a long period of time. It is often a daily fight to choose Truth.
It is so simple a concept to surrender all of this to Jesus Christ. Yet in my fallenness (and stubbornness), it can be very difficult in practice!
Sorry if this is all a bit heavy, but I'm happy to see a sensible post like this, and to share my experience. Thanks again.
Thank you Liam. I've been quite touched by the response to this article. I wish you all the best in your struggles.
Glad to see you mention Conrad Baars' work here. A dear friend introduced me to him, and I am so grateful.
Yes he is interesting!