Depression and the powerful role of confession to bring back joy

By Dr. Raul Nidoy

There are many factors behind depression. According to Mayo Clinic, causes include brain chemistry, hormones and inherited traits, while the risk factors include traumatic events, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, financial problems, low self-esteem and chronic illness.

However, what medical science does not see is a key factor behind depression, the most fundamental disorder at the root of all disorders: sin, our turning away from our design to love God above self. Thus, when we go to God through his channels of mercy and healing, he can bring about a transformation of our inner life by giving us new strength and a new mind. 

“A therapist tells the story about a patient who had been in a terrible cycle of depression and self-disgust ever since high school. Nothing seemed to help. One day, the therapist met the patient in front of a Catholic church. They ducked inside when it began raining, and witnessed people going to confession. 

‘Should I go too?’ asked the patient, who had received the sacrament as a child. ‘No!’ said the counselor. The patient went anyway, and emerged from the confessional with her first smile in years, and kept improving in the weeks to come. The therapist studied more about confession, eventually became Catholic and now counsels regular confession for all her Catholic patients.” 

This story is found in an article titled Seven Great Reasons to Go to Confession Tomorrow (and Often) and its author explains: “Sin leads to depression because it isn’t just an arbitrary violation of rules: It’s a violation of the purpose built into our being by God. Confession lifts the guilt and anxiety caused by sin and heals you.”

Interestingly, in the comments section, someone reacted and told his own story of transformation. “I had been suffering with depression for years before I walked into a church one day, and started attending Mass as a 'something to do' -- i.e. to get myself out of the house, at least once a week. I made the stupid mistake of taking communion just because it's something 'you do' (as I was wont to treat it) but was soon almost crushed by a sense of guilt. 

Then I went to confession. I told the priest everything, not only of my prior rejection of the church's teachings and of turning my back on Christ, but of the self-pity and negativity that had become my life's content. I received forgiveness and within a few weeks I realized suddenly how things had changed. The words which came to me were 'Surprised by Joy' (the title of C.S. Lewis's book): I suddenly realized that I was truly happy, more so than at any time I could remember in my life. 

One day someone asked me how I was and my answer was "Very well, miraculously well as it goes!" An old acquaintance even asked me recently if I'd won the lottery! Weekly (at least) confession is now a personal habit. Which reminds me, today's the day.” 

It is important to note that there is a difference between the professional work of a therapist who treats our bodily psychology and the spiritual work of a priest who acts in the person of Christ to heal our soul. Still it is important to know that since we are incarnate spirits, whatever happens to our spirit affects our body. 

John Paul II taught: “The confessional is not, and cannot be, an alternative to the psychoanalyst or psychotherapist’s office, nor can one expect the Sacrament of Penance to heal truly pathological conditions. The confessor is not a physician or a healer in the technical sense of the term; in fact, if the condition of the penitent seems to require medical care, the confessor should not deal with the matter himself, but should send the penitent to competent and honest professionals.” 

In How Catholics Can Conquer Depression, Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, a Director of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, wrote: “While the sacraments alone were never meant to cure mental afflictions like depression, they can and do play a healing role in a plan of recovery. As creatures of both body and soul, we relate to God through our senses. If I’m burdened by guilt or by sins of the past (often the case in depressed persons), when I go to Confession I’m able, in a very tangible way, to hear words of absolution from the priest who is acting in the name of Christ and the Church."

“Many people who have gone to Confession describe this powerful experience of psychological healing. They are able to walk out knowing with total conviction that they have indeed been forgiven, that the burden they’ve been carrying has been lifted. The Catholic sacramental system is indeed consistent with our psychological make-up: we need to hear these words of absolution in order to more tangibly experience God’s mercy."

"We also know that sin not only harms our relationship with God but with others as well. In Confession there is the experience a sense of reintegration with a community: the priest represents the Church, the community of Christians, with whom the penitent is reconciled. All this is powerfully healing, and lifts a burden spiritually and psychologically.” 

Jesus told St. Faustina that "greatest miracles" happen in Confession. God our compassionate Father himself acts to transform us from a vessel emptied of God to a vessel that is full of God. And so Blessed Alvaro, when asked about the happiest moment of his life, quickly responded: "Each time I receive God’s forgiveness in confession."

Related articles:

Confession: Simple Reasons, Simple Steps
Putting Confession at the Center: the strong recommendation of the Church for frequent of confession 

Vatican Documents on the Elderly

 

Table of Contents

1.      Pontifical Council of the Laity,Dignity of Older People and their Mission in the Church and in the World, 1October 1998

2.      John Paul II, Letter to the Elderly,1 October 1999

3.      Benedict XVI, Visit to St. Peter’sResidence, Home of Older People, 18September 2010

4.       BenedictXVI, Visit to theCommunity of Sant' Egidio's Home For The Elderly, 12 November 2012

5.      Pope Francis, General Audience onthe Elderly, 4 March 2015

You can find all the documents in word file here.  

The document of the Pontifical Council has this table of contents:

Introduction

Meaning and value of old age

The older person in the Bible

Older people's problems are the problems of us all

The Church and older people

Guidelines for the pastoral care of older people

Conclusions

Pastoral Letter of the Prelate of Opus Dei for the Year of Mercy (2015-2016): Some Key Action Points

The letter is not yet in English. Since the Year of Mercy starts today, and it was signed Nov 4, 2015, here are ideas which can be useful and actionable:

Thank the Holy Father for the special Jubilee, with prayer and deeds. Be joyful in receiving the call of the Pope to deal with our Lord in piety and in the celebration of the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist, and in the concrete demonstrations of fraternal love.

Good to meditate frequently on this marvelous expression of divine Love. (John Paul II) We will always need divine mercy but in our time this need acquires an even greater urgency.  

Begin the Year of Mercy with serious devotion and joy.

Frequently review the Gospel passages that show the compassion and understanding of Jesus Christ with humanity.  In the midst of shadows, divine intervention has never been lacking: revealing the constant flow of God’s mercy towards the world. Let’s not stop thanking God. History of Opus Dei is a history of the mercies of God.

Go to the mercy of God. Before God we do not have any rights. (St. Josemaria)

The principal fruit that we ask God during this year:

• that society goes back to walking along the paths of the commandments,
• that souls allow themselves to be enkindled with fire for the love of God,
• that in all parts of the Church there is a resurgence of clear doctrine and authentic piety
• “that each one meets each person bringing the goodness and tenderness of God” (Pope Francis)

Be merciful as the Father is merciful. Not just to ask God pardon for our sins and the sins of all, but to unite with this prayer the concrete practice of mercy towards our neighbor.

Corporal works of mercy

• The Church manifests a preferential option for the poor. We should never abandon the corporal works of mercy. Helping the poor "honors our Lady and charity is exercised." (St. Josemaria)
  
• Many young people have improved their disposition to serve others when they have discovered the compelling need of their neighbor.
• Let us seek to expand the reach of projects for the needy.
• Be extra attentive towards the sick: at home and in hospitals, etc. Facilitate possible medical care and do the utmost in giving spiritual attention.
• Not to be aloof to the initiatives in dioceses and parishes for immigrants

Spiritual works of mercy.

• “The worst discrimination that the poor suffer is the lack of spiritual attention.” (Pope Francis)
• Among the spiritual works of mercy: teach those who do not know, give advice, forgive offenses (demonstrations of refined charity)
• Our great mission is to give doctrine (St. Josemaria)
• Give good advice: example, speak the right word, apostolate of friendship and confidence.  
• Rediscover fraternal correction
• Society is sensitive to caring for the material and physical goods of others and seem to be totally silent about spiritual care, for the soul’s eternal destiny. But the early Church was not like this. It’s important to rediscover this dimension of Christian charity. (Benedict XVI)
• Forgiving offenses is a clear sign that we behave as children of God

Apostolate of Confession. Help people to recover the friendship with God lost through sin. “Put the sacrament of reconciliation in the center, because it allows us to experience the greatness of mercy.” (Pope Francis). Be faithful instruments of mercy. Constant zeal to prepare souls of friends and acquaintances to help them draw much fruit from the sacrament of joy and peace.

Read and meditate in depth on the bull, Misericordiae Vultus, and to make personal resolutions. Do a pilgrimage as stated by the bull. Have a tender love for our Mother.

LIVE-IN: Research facts and analysis on cohabitation

Download the one-page leaflet containing this article here.  For mass distribution.

1. What does live-in relationship mean? Also called cohabitation, live-in relationship is an arrangement of an unmarried man and an unmarried woman who live together in a sexual relationship. This practice is spreading due to ignorance and myths.

2. What are the findings of social science on cohabitation? Modern research has exploded myths and justifications for living together.

Since we want to avoid a broken home, we want to check out if we are compatible.  Studies show that couples who live together before marriage have double the chances of divorce than those who don't. Living in does not help build the habits of commitment, mutual communication and support that are at the foundation of marriage. People who divorce tend to be people who do not have a high level of commitment and self-sacrifice to think of the other person. Thus, living together is "the worst possible preparation for marriage" and is “a training for divorce.” (C. Colson)

We will be able to save up and be more financially stable. Research has found that cohabiting couples have lower incomes than married couples. One explanation is that married men with children are motivated and committed to become more responsible and productive. In marriage, there is more sharing of economic and social resources, thus acting like an insurance pool as protection from uncertainties.

It’s easier this way. We will be happier. Studies demonstrate that people who are cohabiting experience lower levels of subjective well-being and higher levels of depression, domestic violence and murder. One researcher suggests that due to the lack of long-term commitment, couples who live together are less motivated to develop their conflict resolution and support skills. Also, compared to married couples, cohabitors are less connected to the community and the church, thus get less emotional, social and material support.

This is the modern way. Marriage is outmoded. Modern contraception made it obsolete. Historical research shows that cohabitation and contraception were common in the ancient Roman empire. This led to the mistreatment of women, considered as toys for sexual pleasure, the degeneration of families, and then the moral decay of society. The Christian vision of marriage and family brought respect, dignity and happiness to families and to society.

But we love each other. If your love is real and not a matter of volatile feelings, you will want to give the best for each other, and for your relationship. And research and proven wisdom has shown that cohabitation is bad for your partner, for your future marriage, and children.

3. I am concerned of its effects on our children. “The poverty rate among children of cohabiting couples is five fold greater than the rate among children in married-couple households. Compared to children of married biological parents, children age 12-17 with cohabiting parents are six times more likely to exhibit emotional and behavioral problems. Likewise, adolescents from cohabiting households are 122 %  more likely to be expelled from school and 90 % more likely to have a low GPA (Grade Point Average).” "One of the greatest problem of children is the high risk that the couple will break up."

4. Isn’t marriage just a piece of paper? No, marriage between a man and a woman is a natural institution proven to benefit society in forming responsible citizens through the centuries. This is why it is sanctioned and supported by governments.

5. Ours is called “trial marriage.” You can try out cars and bikes, but not humans. Humans cannot be “used” like material things. Humans are incarnate spirits with great dignity who can only be reverenced, served and protected.

6. Why is fornication or nonmarital sex said to be morally evil? What’s the ethical reasoning behind this common view?  Because sex like a smile and a frown is a body language with its own meaning. The embrace of sex says “I love you” by giving your whole life, your children, your family, and your future. The only way for your sexual action to express this truthfully and the only way for you to ensure that your children are raised with the secure love of a mother and father is when it is done within a sacred covenant to commit yourselves entirely to each other. This is what marriage is. Sex before marriage is a lie. Your action says, “I give you my whole self”, but you have held back your total commitment to the other person, to your children, and also to God. Lying in a matter of such grave importance is objectively evil.

7. With everything you’ve said, no wonder ancient wisdom and world religions are strongly against premarital sex! In Islam, living in is zina, fornication, which is absolutely forbidden and is severely condemned as an irresponsible and immoral. Buddhists considered it kamesu micchacara, a sexual violation. It is condemned by Hinduism. The Jewish Torah prohibits it: There shall be no ḳedeshah, promiscuity, among the daughters and sons of Israel. (Dt 23:17) St. Paul taught that the pornoi, fornicators, will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven. (1 Cor 6:9)

8. Okay, what are the benefits of separating now? (a) You will be practicing chastity, showing your future spouse that when you are married, you will be chastely faithful, and you can be trusted. (b) You will have the space to build your problem-solving and communication skills. Cohabiting couples “often turn to sex to restore emotional intimacy. This pattern leaves relational issues unresolved.” (c) You will appreciate the other as a person not a toy. (d) You will practice self-mastery: the basic condition for loving self-giving, the ingredient for a happy marriage and family. (e) You stop immorality and polluting society with bad example. 

9. Non-Catholics, even pagans, love the rituals of Catholic weddings. What’s so great about Catholic marriage? According to the Church, the bond of marriage between a man and woman expresses in a most beautiful way the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. Marriage is a sacrament which gives spouses grace, divine life, to love each other with Christ’s self-sacrificing love for his Church. In this way, the Catholic Christian family shares in the deep happiness of God’s love.

SOURCES. The article puts together ideas from:  Cohabitation myths and statistics, Should we live together?, Cohabitation: Bad for Men, Worse for Women, and Horrible for Children, Facts Behind Cohabitation, Cohabitation, Living Together. 

Download the one-page leaflet containing this article here.  For mass distribution.