Some Thoughts and Suggestions for every Addict

(Never Lose Hope in God's Infinite Love and Mercy)

I wish to extend a very warm welcome to you in fellowship with others who suffer as you do, and give you are some ideas and food for thought to help you along your journey.

 Believe me when I say that you are in the company of millions of young men like yourself who are in much need of the healing power of God.

Presuming that  you are Catholic, I suggest that you partake of the sacraments very frequently, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Confession should be done weekly insofar as you are able.

You need God's strength and grace for you cannot overcome this addiction alone.

Counseling with a priest cannot be emphasized enough as a very key and critical part of the regimen for overcoming your addiction.

 One of the greatest obstacles to success is the temptation to give in to the feelings of self-loathing, anger and guilt.  These, in turn, feed despair, despondency and ultimately, hopelessness.

The key to freedom is this:

a) Reduce your exposure to the "near occasion of sin."

b) Reduce the time you dedicate mentally to lust.

c) Train yourself to seek comfort and consolation in positive things, exercise, hiking, visiting good and wholesome friends, writing, etc.

The key is to wean yourself away from the addiction - each and every aspect and element of it.  The more success you realize in weaning yourself away, the more freedom you will experience.

 God has brought you to the realization that you must convert yourself, and begin working to conform your life to His will.

Lust is saying in essence, "My will be done, not Your will be done."  Lust is all about self when truly we should be all about God.

This is a cross for us that we must bear.

This is why our apostolate, the Serenellians, exists - to support people like you in bearing that cross.

 As you may or may not be aware, we Serenellians are a small group of individuals who participate in an informal ministry primarily of prayer for people who suffer from this insidious and entangling addiction.  

 We are very much Carmelite in our spirituality and prayer focus.

 Since prayer is the single most powerful and effective weapon at our disposal with which to combat the enemy satan and his efforts to destroy the world through lust and impurity, we have chosen prayer as our spiritual basis and foundation.

 Most especially, we place ourselves under the protection of our Blessed Mother as our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Holy Family and all of the angels and saints, praying constantly for the success of our apostolate in aiding and supporting as many suffering individuals and families as possible.

 As I indicated previously, we are working to set up groups around the country where individuals can meet and organize themselves much in the manner of Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), but have a definitely pronounced Catholic and sacramental approach to healing and recovery from addictions to lust and pornography.

Please pray that this comes to fruition.

 We already have the support of many Catholic clergy including Cardinal James Stafford in Rome and Archbishop Chaput, O.F.M., in Denver.

Please check out our Guestbook to see our endorsements by other priests and religious.

Our means of communications is the Internet and e-mail, in order to reduce the costs of printing and mailing, until we have grown to the point of needing to distribute hard copy material.

With regard to membership, this, too, is informal.

There are no dues or fees - only prayers and a constant, personal re-commitment to purity for the love of God are required as membership in the Serenellians apostolate.

Your prayers are very much appreciated by all addicts, for this is an important spiritual work of mercy.

We will certainly pray for you, and we ask that you pray for all of us.

As our Blessed Mother has said many times - "Prayer is our most powerful weapon."

For the Serenellians, prayer is the weapon of choice.

Lastly, but very important, I urge you to purchase a copy of Rosemarie Scott's book, "Clean of Heart", which is available through a link on our web site.  This is a newly released work that provides a solid program of daily spiritual and practical exercises intended to help individuals overcome this addiction through rigorous prayer, self examination and deepening spirituality.

I hope that I have answered at least some of your questions.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you do have more questions or concerns. I would be very interested in hearing your story and how we can help you in your journey.

It is important that we know how we can best support you, so please do stay in touch!

Please join us in our fellowship of prayer and mutual spiritual support.

Never, ever lose Hope in the Power and Mercy of God.

Take heart in the Lord and He will help you.

May all of God’s blessings be upon you this day and every day!

 

Fraternally in Christ,

Paul Rasavage

for the Serenellians Apostolate

and www.PornNoMore.com