SOLACE: Soul + Grief
YOUR PERSONAL, IN-HOUSE CHAPLAIN.
This podcast is sponsored by SOULPLUSGRACE serving the San José area, offering grief support and grief journeying with spirituality. I hope to help you travel through grief with God at your side. I am a Jesuit-trained-and-inspired spiritual companion to the dying and their families, survivors, friends and caretakers.
"I am a trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises. I have also worked as a hospital/cemetery chaplain and grief doula. I believe all paths lead to God and that all traditions are due respect and honour. I take my sacred inspiration from all of my patients and companions–past, present and future; the Dalai Lama, James Tissot, St. John of the Cross, the Buddha, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and, of course, Íñigo who became known as St. Ignatius. I utilize art, poetry, music, aromatherapy, yoga, lectio divina, prayer and meditation in my self-work and work with others. I believe in creating a sacred space for listening; even in the most incongruous of surroundings."
BACKGROUND
Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA -- Pierre Favre Program, 3 year training to give the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius/Centro de Espiritualidad de Loyola, Spain -- The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola -- 30 Day Silent Retreat/Center for Loss & Life Transition – Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training (30 hrs) Ft. Collins, CO/California State University Institute for Palliative Care--Palliative Care Chaplaincy Specialty Cert. (90 hrs)/Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA -- Clinical Pastoral Education/19th Annotation with Fumiaki Tosu, San Jose, CA, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius/Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA M.A. – Pastoral Ministries
CONTACT ME: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com with questions to be answered in future episodes.
SOLACE: Soul + Grief
Comfort of Faith in Mourning
Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal journey, fraught with challenges and moments of profound emotion. offering companionship and understanding to those navigating the tumultuous waters of grief. This episode invites you to explore the comforting embrace of God's unwavering love, as reflected in the scripture of Hosea 11, and how it can serve as an anchor in times of turmoil and uncertainty.
Our discussion touches on the imperfections of mourning and the collective love that sustains us through suffering. We reflect on the spiritual direction available to support your healing journey, acknowledging the shared human experience of loss. With gratitude, we remember the love created by our communities and the healing that inevitably follows suffering.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE
You can reach us at: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com to arrange personal spiritual direction.
Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay.
We welcome you to Solace: Soul + Grief. I'm glad you're here. I'm Candee Lucas, a Jesuit-trained Catholic chaplain and spiritual director, and I've been involved with a bereavement ministry since 2009. We know that loss can make profound changes in people's lives. We understand how difficult it is to travel this path of grief and how important and monumental the loss of a loved one can be. So we created this podcast to help you walk with God as you grieve your losses, understand what's happening in your heart and soul as you grieve, to be available in the best way we can to accompany you on this journey. You're always welcome in this circle of healing, love and support.
Candee:Today, my Bible fell open to Jeremiah in a part where God is angry because he has not been obeyed. I didn't feel like dealing with an angry God today, so I went to a place that I knew would be more amenable Hosea 11. That I go back to often because it so reminds me of God's love. But in Verse 11. After he has warned us of faltering on the path, his heart softens completely and he says how can I give you up? How would I ever surrender you? How can I make you far from me. I have had a change of heart. All my tenderness is stirred. I will not act on my wrath. I will not turn to destroy you, for I am God, not man, the Holy One in your midst. I will not come in fury.
Candee:And so again we are reminded of God's love, even in the middle of his fury towards us or disappointment in us or disappointment in the choices we make with our lives, the choices we make with the treasure of our lives we have been given. And though we strive from day to day to be worthy of all of those gifts, we acknowledge we fall short. That acknowledgement reminds us that our grief may be imperfect, our mourning insufficient. The havoc wreaked on our lives in the wake of the loss of a loved one is not easily borne. A loved one is not easily born or easily tamed, nor is it completely understood. Yes, we acknowledge we are cast from our moorings and we may feel out to sea in our grief and be unable to even see the shore some days. But God sits with us, helping us row, keeping us on course, even when our eyes are so filled with tears that we cannot manage to see his face clearly. So I want to remember this day with gratitude, with gratitude for the undying love, the undying support, the rock that is our anchor, the reminder of the love that is created in the world, created by us; created by our loved ones, created by all the peoples and families and communities, all the religions, all the people of the world, those suffering, those warring, those in power, those who are powerless. Suffering comes and healing love comes thereafter.
Candee:That concludes another episode. A new one drops every Friday. Please join us on Spotify, Amazon Music or Apple. Thank you for joining us. Spiritual direction is always available. See my contact email in the show notes. This is Candee Lucas, your host, chaplain and spiritual director. Go with God. Namaste, vaya con Dios.
