21st Century Judas Iscariot's: The Purse and Beyond
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Faithful families of those with chronic mental disorders that disturb behavior or thinking often struggle to remain hopeful for their loved one’s peace of mind and soul in this world but also their final destination. At best, helping a family member or friend navigate a faith life poses exceptional challenges. Of course, this may depend on the severity of the mental illness, its cause(s), duration, and treatment availability and access, among other factors.
The question always arises: To what degree is any clinically mentally ill individual responsible and culpable for his or her actions?
Those whose sons or daughters are severely mentally ill with schizophrenia or psychosis may suffer tremendously, but still find solace in the reality that their children cannot control the course of the disruption in their lives. Responsibility for actions might be negligible, at best. That does not hold true for all cases, though.
Father Carl Ripperger in his Introduction to the Science of Mental Health maintains that even someone with thought dysfunction leading to anti social (sinful) behavior can still be accountable for transgressions if effective medication is available, but the patient in a healthy state refuses it or targeted therapy. In other words, persons enduring brain disorders even with organic causes should lead a faithful life as much as possible.
However, some mental illnesses may emerge from environmental causes or life circumstances with or without the patient’s choosing. Families of those emotionally disturbed persons who seem to have brought on their own mental demise may still fault them, or, expect them to “get over” trauma—move on so to speak.
In particular, the public maligns drug addicts as “willful” and “self indulgent.” After several attempts at aiding the addict, they will transform empathy into anger; support into scorn. Parents will use “tough love” and other severe consequences to compel their child to give up the drugs. Setting aside the need for boundaries, especially if an addict poses danger, certain addictions are almost impossible for some to master. Ask any crack addict. However, one does not have other go that extreme. Ask any smoker, especially one using an oxygen tank in between a smoke.
Many a parent, relative, and friend mourn the lost of loved ones even before physical death. They may unceasingly pray, beg God for their loved’s deliverance, but still helplessly harbor dread about their final end. Turning to the Church may exacerbate their anxiety, as still too few pastors truly understand the nature of mental illness. A relatively few grasp the hell of addiction, being former alcoholics themselves. So, families flail.
Some addicts experience a slow, agonizing “death”. For others, life may end in violence or suicide. A few manage to practice their faith, weakly and sloppily but with some ray of hope.
This paradox confronted St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, a 19th Century Chinese physician and acupuncturist who devoted himself to his community. Born in 1834 before modern medicine understood the chemistry impact of opium, a heroin like drug, used for pain medication, St.Mark Ji would be felled by his own “prescription.” In his mid thirties, a stomach ailment led to his use of opium. This once highly respected leader in his Christian community would endure the shame of seemingly unresolved addiction. For nearly three decades he tried to “kick the habit,” imploring heaven and persistently confessing his sins, likely hoping for a miracle.
Totally exasperated, St,Mark Ji’s confessor finally refused absolution, accusing the desperate young man of lacking the will to change.
However, this faithful man, as sick as he was, continued to pray and attend Mass even without the Sacraments for thirty years. His daily routine was devoted to others, as crippled as the opium made him. He donated his medical practice free to the poor. Moreover, he was known to be of even temperament, perhaps a testimony to grace through prayer and lacked any contempt or bitterness about his scandalous condition.
Between 1899 and 1901, when the Boxer Rebellion broke out in China, Christians were seriously persecuted and killed. It is estimated that about 32,000 Christians were massacred, along with a couple hundred foreign missionaries. St. Mark Ji was arrested in 1900, along with his son, six grandchildren and two daughters in law. Refusing to deny Jesus Christ, he was condemned. He reportedly asked to be killed last so his family would be comforted by his presence.
This last request attests to the enormous love he must have expressed to his family who remain devoted to this holy man despite his seeming failure. He even calmed a terrified grandson who reportedly asked after being dragged to prison, “Grandpa, where are we going?” St. Mark Ji answered, “We’re going home.”
He sang the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary will awaiting his own execution. Pope Pius XII beatified St. Mark Ji in 1946, and St. Pope John Paul II canonized him on October 1, 2000. His feast day is July 7 (some say July 9).
His holy card and prayer are easily accessible, and one prayer is as follows:
Glorious St. Mark, holy martyr of China, you are the patron saint of drug addicts because for many years you struggled with the effects of opium addiction which affected every aspect of your life. Yet despite this you never gave up trying and praying, and in heaven God has rewarded your perseverance. Dear saint you know better than anyone the great tribulations that come with addiction; look with compassion upon all drug addicts throughout the world and deliver them from their bondage. Strengthen them in their recovery and help them resist their temptations. Obtain from God that drug addicts everywhere may receive the support and the compassion they deserve and may all, through the grace of God, be restored to full health. Amen.
For more, sustainable spiritual support for this and other mental illnesses, emotional disturbance and brain disorders, contact the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre. You can visit their website at guildbjlabre.org or Timothy Duff at guildbjlabre@gmail.com and learn about the ample daily opportunities to pray for loved ones with addictions.
Patricia Hershwitzky, a three-decade educator, holds a degree in Political Science, minor journalism; a Masters in Education and an Educational Specialist degree. Since the early 1990's, she has published numerous articles and letters, along with four books, including:: "Teaching the City of God in the City of Man: Pursuing Salvation Education." Her background includes advocacy for children in the womb. pregnant mothers in crisis, the mentally challenged and emotionally ill. As a breast cancer survivor, Patricia has encouraged women to embrace Catholic responses--meditations and prayer-- during treatment. She is a member of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre and recently made her promise to the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary. Her most recent work, "Speaking One's Soul: Magnifying God's Word in a Madly Godless World," co authored with Mary Sobel Ott, is now available through Enroute Books and Media. A current focus is finalizing a Catholic parental guide through the maze of mental illness.
