28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mental Health Sunday

Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. ~ Colossians 3:2

This October, the Catholic Church in the United States is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign (NCMHC), encouraging all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle. This can be done now through personal and community accompaniment and by advocating for effective and compassionate public policy around mental health and wellness. As the late Pope Francis once said, “Caring for others is not just a skilled job but a real mission.” The mental health crisis is a profound challenge to the Church and to society. Catholics can respond with generosity, hope, and compassion to everyone who needs help. The USCCB invites all people of good will to pray for mental health and wellness with a special nationwide novena beginning on World Mental Health Day.

“The Holy Family reveals to us the beauty and intimacy of family life: “May Nazareth remind us what the family is, what the communion of love is, its stark and simple beauty, its sacred and inviolable character” (Paul VI, Address at Nazareth, Jan. 5, 1964). Pope Francis reminds us that the intimacy of family life includes accompanying each other through suffering: “In the Gospel, we see that even in the Holy Family things did not all go well: there were unexpected problems, anxiety, suffering. Every day, families have to learn to listen and understand one another, to walk together, to face conflicts and difficulties” (Pope Francis, Angelus, Dec. 26, 2021). The Holy Family’s life on earth gives us a model of love in the midst of suffering, and they stand ready in Heaven to intercede on our behalf.”

Healthy and loving families can help ensure that persons with mental health challenges receive the support they need. Research indicates that healthy family relationships are associated with positive mental health outcomes. Through listening to one another—especially our youth—families can love and support each other during times of poor mental health or mental illness, including by reaching out to the larger community for professional mental health treatment.

Families face many challenges today, and trauma can come in many forms. When one family member suffers, all suffer. Families face “financial instability, unemployment, sickness, and medical issues; immigration challenges and family separation; and other societal ills that afflict families today: racism, ageism, misogyny, human trafficking, and medical/reproductive technologies that objectify and demean the dignity of life, sexuality, and the human person” (Called to the Joy of Love: National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry).

A Prayer for Families:

Lord Jesus, may our families draw ever closer to you and to one another. We lift up all families, particularly those with members facing mental health challenges. May family members help remove the stigma surrounding mental health challenges, both within their families and in their communities. Comfort, hold, lead to safety, and heal families affected by every form of trauma, mental health challenge, and mental illness. You know every family’s specific situation, wounds and needs, and you can restore and make all things new. Lord, pour your grace into their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies, filling them with light and peace amid their suffering. Help all families, unite their suffering to your Passion and Death, mindful of the resurrection to new life to come.

Amen.

< https://www.usccb.org/mental-health-novena#tab--day-2-%E2%80%93-families >

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, Thinking with the Mind of God, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries