The Archdiocese of Atlanta provides several retreats and events throughout the year to promote healing for survivors of trauma. The following are some of the most popular and annual events. You can learn more about these events by clicking on their name below.
Cry to Heaven
Christ calls all of us to reach out to the victims of abuse in their time of need. Through various parishes’ Eucharistic Adoration programs and other prayer efforts across the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the church’s faithful are praying for victims of abuse. This is our way of letting those who have been abused know that they are surrounded by the prayers of their brothers and sisters in Christ…and that He is there among us too. This is another way Christ promised to be with us always. “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am among them.”
A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
to save us by the blood of his cross
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering,
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, heart, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
And transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice
and find peace in you.
We ask this through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Copyright ©2004 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
All rights reserved. Pub. No. 7-074
Stopping Domestic Violence and Abuse
Patterns of domestic violence or abuse of any kind between people in marriage or dating relationships, or in child abuse, are often learned in families. Unless something changes, these patterns can be repeated in generation after generation.
It can be very difficult to break free from this vicious cycle. “The Catholic Church teaches that violence against another person in any form fails to treat that person as someone worthy of love. Instead, it treats the person as an object to be used. When violence occurs within a sacramental marriage, the abused spouse may question, “How do these violent acts relate to my promise to take my spouse for better or for worse?” The person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does not violate the marriage promises.” [When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence].
For more resources:
Office of Formation and Discipleship
https://archatl.com/ministries-services/pastoral-care-ministry/domestic-violence/
Daniel West
404-920-7631
dwest@archatl.com
&
Patrick Metts, LPC
404-920-7643
pmetts@archatl.com