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 Day in the Life of Grief
This discussion centers on the healing process associated with grief, emphasizing the importance of love and radical honesty in navigating personal pain. Explore the complex emotions surrounding loss and the transformative relationships that accompany healing while being encouraged to reach out for support and spiritual direction.
• Understand grief through a personal lens
• The role of love and relationships in healing
• Importance of radical honesty and naming fears
• Seeking solace and support through faith
• The power of self-reflection in the grief journey
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:Thomas Merton once said --All I have to do is stay found--. Isaiah said-- Father, I put my life in your hands--. In Hebrews-- Let us hold fast to our confession, be obedient to the point of death--. I am diminished, my energy, my hopefulness, I am dismantled. My creativity is low. Even ideas are flat. Should I return past projects? A Jesus sculpture? Why did I say I called my baby Abby? Why did that name fall out of my mouth? Is hope that low? I turn this over to you because I can barely describe, let alone find a path forward. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Candee:Thomas Merton once said-- all I have to do is stay found--. Peace be upon us all. Although my heart is rising, it still has darkness which praying will not cure, because to surrender surrender done freely for love. Sin is failing to bother to love. Sin is breaking the relationship with God, with Jesus, with one another. We are loved to wonder. Where are these relationships suffering?
Candee:Matthew 25 talks about the failure to love. Wonders who we are becoming. Who are you becoming? We become, what or whom we choose. We do not succumb to confusion.
Candee:In Mark 10, we hear the story of the rich young man. Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus loves the woman at the well into freedom. And Caravaggio knew Jesus; knew that our hearts had been broken and can turn inward and hard or, in this instance, does it have room to expand? Becoming free requires radical honesty. Name the disordered attachments, name your unfreedom. Name your fears. Name your default settings. Name the lies we tell ourselves. But we are always the sinner loved by God.
Candee:That concludes this week's episode. You can find us on Apple, Spotify or Amazon. 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.
