Coping with Grief, Naming Children, and Discerning the Contemplative Life
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Fr. Josh answers questions about how to cope with grief from a Catholic perspective, how to choose a name for your child that is biblical or inspired by a saint, and how to discern a vocation to the contemplative life.
Snippet from the Show
"Our Lady is called Our Lady of Sorrows for a reason, because she grieved at the foot of the Cross. Grief is human, healthy, and holy."
Questions
Coping with Grief
Could you talk about how to navigate anticipatory grief from a Catholic perspective? My grandma’s health is declining. I’m coping with grieving the person she once was and the grief I know I will be experiencing in the future.
-Anonymous
Naming Children
Hey Fr. Josh! I have so loved listening to your podcast and find so much fruit from it. I’m currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby and having grown up Southern Baptist and converting in college, Catholic Baptism is still a bit mysterious to me. As my husband and I prepare to Welcome our small human to the world and the Church, how should we discern their patron Saint? I have a few ideas, but since this is my first I’m honestly not sure. Her name will be Sarah Elizabeth, and while I know these are both Saints of the Bible, I’m not sure if either is the right name to baptize her with (or honestly what that truly means). I look forward to hearing from you every week! Keep blessing souls.
-Anonymous
Discerning a Vocation to the Contemplative Life
Hey Fr. Josh,
I've recently been researching the monastic life/contemplative live and potentially feeling called to a vocation to it. There is something so radical about it that seems so attractive, and I think the world needs more prayers and sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. However, it also seems scary to be so detached from the world. Could you talk a little bit about the monastic/ contemplative life and how to properly discern it? What is its role in building the Kingdom of God? I don't want to consider it just because I want to escape this broken world. At the same time, I am amazed by saints like St. Therese who never left the convent yet is named a Doctor of the Church and I know there is something so powerful about it.
Thank you,
Tom
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Resources
- Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
- Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
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