SOLACE: Soul + Grief
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 trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises OR seek spiritual direction while grieving. 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
A Heart's Path to Spiritual Growth
This episode offers a compassionate exploration of grief, emphasizing the importance of open-heartedness, trust, and connection in the healing process; through thoughtful practices to reclaim love and compassion while navigating a personal journey of loss. In this episode we:
• Emphasize the sacredness of listening during grief
• Encourage curiosity about others’ experiences of faith
• Focus on leaving behind fear and embracing trust
• Highlight the significance of silent reflection and divine guidance
• Invitie engagement and support from the community in healing
• Offer practical insights for carrying lessons of love into daily life
• Provide a safe space for sharing grief-related questions and experiences.
As you listen, consider sending me your thoughts and questions on grief, both spiritual and practical, so we can walk this path together.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE
You can reach us at: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com to arrange personal spiritual direction and for questions and concerns.
Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay
I welcome you to Solace: Soul + Grief. My name's Candee Lucas and I'm a grief chaplain. I accompany those who are grieving any kind of loss and I ask that you let me accompany you today. You're always welcome in this circle of healing, love and support. Remember, we are all on this journey together.
candee:As we sit down to prayer, let's think about something bigger than ourselves. Let's think about something bigger than ourselves when we go back to our lives. Let's see what we can make happen. What do we take away from this prayer and how can we put it back into the world?
candee:In Mass, we come together for sacred listening with family and friends, to give thanks for the bounty and the presence of God in our lives and hope to be worthy of the gifts that we have been given. Having opened our hearts to one another, we will take the same feeling back into the world and practice the open-heartedness that is necessary for us to continue to live fully with others. We will take curiosity about each other back into the world with us so that we can continue to wonder. We will take back a new appreciation for the faith experience of others. We will leave behind our doubts. We will look forward and not backward at life experiences that live in a shadowed past. We will take our hearts back into the world so that they may continue to be opened in compassion and love. Compassion will be what we practice, lest it become offhand or less than fulsome. We will take back trust into the world so that we may not lose our marvel in the world and the humans and the creatures that inhabit it with us.
candee:We will leave behind our fears. We will look to the future and see the possibilities there. We will neither cower nor look at others with suspicion. We will refuse to give in to shallow doubts. We will learn to lean back into God's embrace when we feel uneasy. Let Him lead us and direct us. We will learn to be quiet in his presence, to let him speak to us in the silence, to wait patiently for his guiding hand. We will loosen our hold on our egos to allow God space to enter. We will seek the authenticity born of silent reflection, knowing we are united in our desires to be with God. We will sit and breathe the most ancient form of prayer. Mostly, we hope to remain mindful, to allow God all the time and space he needs to be with us and with those who wish to travel with Him. Amen.
candee:That concludes this week's episode. You can find us on Apple, Spotify or Amazon. Please feel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to my email in the show notes. I'll try to answer any questions you have in the future. Remember I'm always available for spiritual direction by Zoom to those who are grieving. Please reach out to me if you have this need. Be safe. Travel with God always at your side. Vaya con Dios.
