November 12, 2008 by conway23
Depression is a serious matter for Catholics, non-Catholics and everyone in between. The Catechism of the Catholic Church doesn’t specifically address depression, but it does speak to the moral virtues and spiritual practices that can keep extreme sadness and hopelessness at bay.
Depression is very real and serious.
The late Pope John Paul II addressed depression from a catholic perspective in 2003:
“The spread of depressive states has become disturbing. They reveal human, psychological and spiritual frailties which, at least in part, are induced by society. It is important to become aware of the effect on people of messages conveyed by the media which exalt consumerism, the immediate satisfaction of desires and the race for ever greater material well-being. It is necessary to propose new ways so that each person may build his or her own personality by cultivating spiritual life, the foundation of a mature existence.”
The Church understands that the mental health professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists are an important part of treating depression, but the Church stresses that there is a spiritual component to such suffering as well.
Prominent Catholic theologian and priest Fr. John Corapi reminds us that:
“One of the greatest ways to overcome emotional challenges such as depression and anxiety is to work in earnest at some productive enterprise. Feed the hungry, house the homeless, visit the sick, give encouragement to the suffering. In so doing you will begin to feel better, having concentrated on something other than your own problems.”
The Church reminds in the us that envy, which is “the sadness at the sight of another’s goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself, even unjustly,” should always be guarded against. The Catechism of the Catholic Church continues:
2540 “Envy represents a form of sadness and therefore a refusal of charity; the baptized person should struggle against it by exercising good will. Envy often comes from pride; the baptized person should train himself to live in humility:
Would you like to see God glorified by you? Then rejoice in your brother’s progress and you will immediately give glory to God. Because his servant could conquer envy by rejoicing in the merits of others, God will be praised.”
Jim Seghers attended a conference with Catholic priest and psychologist Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and he reported this bit of advice from Fr. Groeschel on depression:
“Fr. Benedict listed three attitudes that will lead us to wallow in depression and self-pity:
- Suffering and evil are everywhere; therefore everything stinks! Not so. Have confidence. God can bring good from evil. He has made a history of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.”
- Continually blame yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, many times they are big ones. We need to accept responsibility and repent. Thus, David lamented: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Ps 51:3). However, David also prayed: “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps 51:17). God forgives us. We must also forgive ourselves.
- Believe the present situation is permanent. Things will never get better. Actually things do get better.
