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
Grief's Secret Garden
Explore the profound nature of grief through poetic meditation, drawing on theological wisdom and personal imagery to create a space of understanding for those experiencing loss.
• Karl Rahner's reflection that "every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart"
• The physical dimension of grief and longing to hold loved ones again
• Finding comfort in spiritual presence when the way feels lost
Feel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to my email. 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.
Remember I'm always available for spiritual direction by Zoom to those who are grieving. 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: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com.
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
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:The Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner wrote-- I should like to remember my dead, all those who went, who belong to me and have now left me. There are far too many to be taken in with one glance. The dear ones who were and still are close to my heart, those bound together by real love. That's why my heart is now with them, with my loved ones who've taken a leave of me. There is no substitute for them. There are no others who can fill the vacancy when one of those whom I have really loved suddenly and unexpectedly parts and is with me no more. In truth, no one can replace another person in that depth where he is uniquely and irreplaceably himself. Every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart with him, and often enough of my heart with him and often enough of my whole heart. When one is truly loved, grief is ultimate and definitive. It shows that a piece of our own heart has really died and is now living with the dead. Of what use is it to say, as the philosophers, that the dead still exist, that they live on? Are they with me, since I love them? Are they also with me? They have gone away. They are silent. Not a word comes through from them, not a single sign of their gentle loving k indness comes to warm my heart. That is the color of our grief. Oh my soul, never forget your dead.
Candee:One day, I lost my way from my garden of grief and the path seemed obscured. I tried to walk down this path and after a few steps, my feet are cut and bleeding and I slump to the ground and make myself small and tears stream down. I am lost, I am lost. I see a far-off light, but it is oh, so dim, like a candle that is already burning itself down, and whispers and whispers are near me, speaking words I don't yet recognize. I am lost. I am lost, I am lost. Keeping me safe is my God, my rabbi and my master. The grass, the ground is warm, beneath my body is warm and soft and I lie down now, but tears still come for all of them, my baby and my love, my mother and my father, my grandmothers and grandfathers and the long line of women, most of whom left their lives and sailed across the ocean to bring me here, to birth me here.
Candee:I cannot move from this spot on the path, and I know the path to the future is obscure. Those who love me follow me. I miss them. I long to hold them --more. I long to be held by them. Could there be something more exquisite than that warm flesh? Lie with me here, Put your arms around me, move the hair from my eyes when you touch my face. Lord, lead me home. Will I ever be ready to go with you? How much I miss them.
Candee:I lost my way again later in that day, but God was still beside me. My feet were still bleeding, my throat was still dry, my eyes were still red and my heart was still broken. Yet for an instant I was able to hold my baby, who never breathed in life, in my arms. She was perfect, beautiful and pink, a rose-shaped mouth and beautiful rosy cheeks. I smelled her head and it touched something inside of me. I kissed her lightly, wrapped her pink quilt around her, handed her back to her father, who gently kissed me on the forehead. Goodbye for now.
Candee:Then the mothers of my line came and made a circle around me and murmured in prayers, --Love is all. All is love. Alpha love, omega love--. And God wrapped us in his golden cord of love and we disappeared into one perfect golden jewel to repose in His own heart. Amen. 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.
