scholarly journals Spiritual Dryness in Non-Ordained Catholic Pastoral Workers

Religions ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Eckhard Frick ◽  
Christoph Jacobs ◽  
Klaus Baumann
Religions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Stephan Winter ◽  
Klaus Baumann

Background: Sometimes prayer life can be difficult even for very religious persons, who may experience phases of “spiritual dryness”, which may have a negative effect on their well-being. Methods: To address this topic, we analyzed three contrasting groups of persons (religious brothers and sisters (RBS), n = 273; Catholic lay persons (CLP), n = 716; other lay persons (OLP), n = 351) with standardized measures and investigated how often indicators of spiritual dryness were perceived within these groups and how the perception that private prayers go unanswered could be a result of this. Results: Spiritual dryness was highest in RBS compared to RLP and OLP. For RBS, perception of being “spiritually empty” was the best predictor of prayers going unanswered, indicating emotional/spiritual exhaustion, while in OLP, the perception that God is “distant” was the best predictor, indicating that, particularly in this (younger) group, spiritual doubt is of particular relevance. For CLP, feeling that God is distant, feeling abandoned by God, and feeling “spiritually empty” were similarly relevant predictors of feelings that prayers go unanswered. Conclusions: This knowledge may help psychologists/psychotherapists, pastoral workers, and spiritual advisors to differentiate the underlying causes of spiritual dryness (in terms of “discernment”) and thus support persons struggling with God, their faith, and life.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Deutsch

Scholars have recently examined the work of several groups engaged in the intellectual projects that provided the foundation of Nostra Aetate and, in some cases participated in the writing process. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sion are one of these groups. They are an international women's religious congregation, originally founded with a perspective of conversion that, over the course of a century, developed a commitment to encounter, dialogue and friendship. This article looks at their work in the years preceding the Second Vatican Council, as well as the period of the Council. It then looks at four critical elements that, over the course of several decades allowed the Sisters to make the journey from conversion to dialogue: philosemitism, ressourcement, the Shoah, and the Affaire Finaly. Using administrative documents, it then traces the actual development of thinking from 1946 to 1964. This exploration shows the Sisters' work as being part of a larger context in which women and men, lay people and clergy, scholars and pastoral workers underwent a transformation in the ways in which they understood the relationship of Jews and Christians and made possible a similar transformation in the Church's self-understanding.


Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Lorethy Starck ◽  
Klaus van Treeck

Abstract In Adventists (n = 603) 45% were less effective and 55% more effective in coping with phases of spiritual dryness, particularly those with leading roles in the church. Strategies such as devotion/trust in God, private prayer/meditation/scripture reading, openness, talks with close others, and self-care were most often utilized. Their ability to cope was predicted best by low Acedia, Living from the Faith, low emotional exhaustion, well-being and having a duty in the church (R2 = .24). When these phases were overcome, several perceived spiritual depth and were able to help others all the more. Helpful strategies should be made available to support persons struggling with spiritual dryness.


1926 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Robert J. Menner ◽  
M. Madeleva
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-33
Author(s):  
Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese ◽  
Tafaoimalo Loudeen Parsons ◽  
Charles Waldegrave ◽  
Richard Sawrey ◽  
Allister Bush

Objective: To describe an Indigenous Samoan psychosocial intervention developed to address the mental health needs of affected communities in Samoa following a tsunami. Method: A partnership was established between Samoan therapists, Samoan Catholic pastoral workers and non-Samoan mental health clinicians, informed by Samoan concepts of self and wellbeing. The format developed for visits to significantly affected households was based on a Samoan cultural practice known as asiasiga and was carried out by pastoral workers, with daily group supervision and access to mental health professionals. Results: Household visits were offered to affected families in villages throughout southern and eastern Upolu and the island of Manono. There was a high degree of acceptance of the programme by Pulenu’u (village governance leaders) and family leaders and members. Conclusions: Mental health responses to the needs of Indigenous Pacific communities following a disaster need to be embedded in the values of those communities. The Samoan practice of asiasiga contributed to the high degree of acceptability of this programme. Partnerships with churches, schools and other local organisations are likely to enhance acceptability and participation. More research is required on Indigenous Pacific post-disaster mental health programmes.


Speculum ◽  
1928 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-414
Author(s):  
Howard R. Patch
Keyword(s):  

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1956-1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Kerksieck ◽  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Eckhard Frick ◽  
Christoph Jacobs ◽  
Klaus Baumann

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