Read Part 1 or Part 2 of this series on addiction and Saint Benedict’s Twelve Steps of Humility. In recovery, we seek freedom from addiction by following the Twelve Steps. But the true effectiveness of 12-step recovery is found in the fact that, at its heart, it is...
One of the most challenging directives in Scripture is when Jesus says, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). A simple review of the 10 Commandments convinces me that I break many of them daily. Without the presence of...
The holiday season, often synonymous with family gatherings, can evoke a mix of joy and suffering for adult children of dysfunction. Past wounds may resurface, and triggers linked to family dynamics might cast shadows over the festivities. Below are a few key...
In our pilgrimage as adult children in recovery, we are met by an unwavering companion: grief. These emotions and processes are pivotal in healing from the wounds of our past, particularly in mourning the childhood that was stolen from us. As Catholics in recovery...
I remember being at a Catholic spirituality conference the summer before I got married. The conference included a time of Eucharistic adoration, and so in the silence of that space, I did what any faithful Catholic fiancée would do and opened up to God about my fears....
I love retreats, and I’ve been to a lot of them. There’s just something about getting away from the usual faces and the usual routine in order to meet others who are drawn to God in the same way I am. There’s also one feature that just about every retreat has that can...
I’m definitely not the first person to compare sin to weeds in a garden. But a recent weekend of helping pull weeds at my in-laws led me to contemplate just how apt the analogy is to our own spiritual lives and recovery. Sins are like weeds in our lives because they...
Lent is a good time to discuss a neglected weapon in our spiritual arsenal: fasting. I want to explain how fasting as a spiritual discipline helps us manage our passions and direct our wills, making it a valuable practice for maintaining recovery and growing in...
As Catholics, December can be a spiritual peak as we’re preparing our hearts for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet, societal expectations, seasonal commitments, temptations to indulge, loneliness, and seeing family can also increase our anxiety and cause us to...
As a faithful member of Catholic in Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous, I’m abundantly blessed to have so many avenues at my disposal to remain sober and grateful to be able to share my experience, strength, and hope with others. But what if I told you that even with a...