Send us a text

Today explore the delicate subject of experiencing happiness in the midst of grief, examining how these seemingly contradictory emotions can coexist. 

• Life continues moving forward regardless of our personal grief, which can feel jarring and isolating
• Happiness can emerge unexpectedly during grief through events like births, engagements, or achievements
• Biblical passages often describe joy and sorrow as concurrent experiences rather than opposing emotions
• Pain and joy are grounded in different realities - we can't stop pain from coming, but we can keep joy from disappearing

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Journaling serves as both a memorial and milestone marker on our grief journeys, allowing us to process complex emotions and track our healing progress over time.  Journal entries spanning several years document my experiences with various losses and the spiritual dimensions of grief.

• Grief journaling helps memorialize our journey and provides perspective on how far we've come
• Personal journal entries reveal the complex, non-linear nature of grief processing
• Spiritual themes weave throughout the journaling process, showing how faith can anchor us
• Metaphorical language helps express grief emotions that defy straightforward description
• The journey through grief includes moments of both profound despair and glimpses of comfort
• Writing creates a safe space to express emotions that might otherwise remain bottled up

A new episode drops every Friday morning on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple. If you have questions about grieving or spiritual direction, my contact information is in the show notes. Be gentle with yourself this week. Vaya con Dios.

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Grief creates a profound rupture in our lives, affecting us spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. The 14th century spiritual classic "The Cloud of Unknowing" offers wisdom for navigating the darkness of grief through contemplative prayer.

• Focuses on prayer as an act of will and love rather than intellect
• Offers practical guidance for being fully present in prayer during difficult times
• Emphasizes that even short, simple prayers are sufficient for connecting with God
• Encourages embracing "the proper awe of the Lord" as foundation for wisdom
• Provides comfort in knowing that souls aligned with God "are immediately heard"
• Parallels between the "unknowing" in contemplative practice and grief journeys

Consider what helps you approach prayer with a willing attitude during your grief journey.  

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

We explore Karl Rahner's profound spiritual insights from "Encounters with Silence," focusing on finding God within the ordinary routines of daily life. Rahner, a Jesuit priest and influential 20th century theologian who helped shape Vatican II, offers wisdom particularly relevant to those experiencing grief.

• Karl Rahner entered the Society of Jesus in 1922 and was ordained in 1932
• Rahner's vision provided theological support for openness and dialogue between Christians
• His spirituality acknowledges the challenge of finding God amidst life's "empty noise" and "meaningless fury"
• Rahner personally experienced grief through the loss of relatives and friends
• He suggests the only path to God must lead "through the very middle of ordinary life"
• The interior person can find rest and activity unified in the same experience
• Divine love transforms routine activities into a "homecoming" to God

"https://www.amazon.com/Encounters-Silence-Karl-Rahner/"

You can find me on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple. You can contact me through my email in the show notes. A new episode drops every Friday. 

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Experience how St. Ignatius of Loyola would counsel someone experiencing fresh grief through spiritual wisdom, emotional sensitivity, and practical guidance based on his teachings and spirituality. These approaches help navigate grief by fostering deeper connection with God, finding meaning in suffering, and cultivating hope even in our darkest moments.

• Acknowledge pain and invite God's presence - bringing raw emotions to prayer
• Engage in discernment to navigate difficult emotions - distinguish between consolation and desolation
• Find meaning in suffering - connect grief to Christ's suffering while trusting in the promises of resurrection
• Cultivate gratitude and hope - recalling moments of love with the deceased
• Seek community support - avoiding isolation and finding ways to honor your loved one
• Trust God's providence - surrendering grief while taking one step at a time

You can find me on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple. You can contact me through my email in the show notes. A new episode drops every Friday. 

You can reach me at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Candee Lucas, a grief chaplain and spiritual director trained by the Jesuits at Santa Clara University, presents an imaginative interview with St. Ignatius of Loyola exploring spiritual approaches to grief and loss. The 500-year-old saint offers compassionate guidance for those experiencing profound sorrow after losing a loved one.

• Recognizing "desolation" - when grief makes us feel distant from God - and continuing simple prayer practices
• Using the Ignatian Examen to notice small glimpses of God's presence even in times of deep sorrow
• Viewing suffering as a path to growing closer to Christ, who also experienced human pain
• Finding meaningful ways to honor lost loved ones through volunteer work, charity, or personal rituals
• Practicing gratitude for memories and the continuing bonds of love that extend beyond death
• Praying the Suscipe to surrender grief while maintaining connection to both loved ones and God
• Looking for "consolations" - small signs of divine care that provide hope during dark times

You can find us on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple. You can contact me through my email in the show notes. A new episode drops every Friday. 

For spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment

You can reach us at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Grief presents itself in many forms, including the loss of control during difficult news. Explore how modern dependency on technology for answers differs from seeking spiritual guidance during times of uncertainty and fear.

• What might happen if we took our questions to God instead of Google?
• Spiritual answers may be different but more meaningful than information alone  • Connection to divine love is universal and available to everyone 
• Recognition that technology, while useful, cannot provide the living presence we truly seek

You can find us on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple. You can contact me through my email in the show notes. A new episode drops every Friday. 

For spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment

You can reach us at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Music creates a powerful pathway through grief, offering comfort and expression when words fall short. Ben Kweller, a singer-songwriter who lost his 16-year-old son Dorian in a tragic car accident, channeled his grief into creating the album "Cover the Mirrors," demonstrating how art can become a healing force.

• The "Impolitic" podcast with John Heileman features a poignant interview with Ben Kweller about his grief journey                                                                      •  Kweller wrote many songs in a grief "fog," a state many grievers may recognize
• Music can connect us to memories and validate our feelings of loss
• Personal grief experiences can be supported by exposure to meaningful music
• Apple Music offers a curated 'Grief' playlist with 111 songs spanning more than six hours
• Music serves as a channel through which God can speak to us and call us to open our hearts for healing

Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment

You can reach us at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Grief rarely follows the patterns we imagine it will, often surprising us with unexpected moments of both pain and comfort that defy our expectations. Our personal experiences with grief become like unique coloring books that reflect our individual journeys rather than conforming to society's expectations.

• Childhood memories of a beloved sister who colored outside the lines
• How grief rarely stays within the boundaries we expect
• The unexpected comfort found in sensory memories after loved ones pass
• Finding peace in our own personal "grief books" with all their unique patterns
• Discovering that what we miss most about our loved ones often surprises us


Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment

You can reach us at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Send us a text

Today explore the difficult questions that arise during grief and how our Catholic faith offers pathways for healing.  We examine how questions of "why" and "what if" can become poignant prayers and how sharing our stories helps us accept the reality of loss.

• Questions beginning with "why" are often not really questions but statements of protest or pain
• The sacrament of reconciliation helps those struggling with unresolved "what-if" questions and feelings of guilt
• Telling your story repeatedly is healing 
• Support groups provide safe places to share stories, express concerns, and feel a sense of belonging
• One-on-one counseling is available through Catholic Charities, hospital chaplains, and hospice services
• There is no "right" timeline for seeking support - this is a personal decision

This material comes from the book "Grieving with the Help of your Catholic Faith" by Lorene Hanley Duquin. (Available on Amazon)

Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment

You can reach us at: [email protected].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay