Loreto House Creative Feat. The OCD Catholic
Loreto House Creative Feat. The OCD Catholic
Contributor // Grace, Writer of The OCD Catholic
Social Media //
Instagram | @theocd_catholic
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/The-OCD-Catholic-110305590671464/
Loreto House Creative is excited to feature Grace, Writer of The OCD Catholic, to the community! Without any further delay, let’s get to know Grace!
Here is a little background of who Grace is and what she’s all about!
“I am a 20-something Catholic laywoman who suffers from OCD, particularly scrupulosity. I’m passionate about providing education and solidarity to those who are suffering themselves, or who have loved ones suffering, and that is why The OCD Catholic exists. When I’m not working at my day job, on the blog, or in school, I’m usually reading, cross stitching/embroidering, or spending time with my friends, family, and fiancé.”
I must say, I give kudos to Grace for speaking on this topic. I know it has become increasingly less taboo to talk about mental sufferings along with Catholicism, but from my own personal perspective, it’s still challenging to be completely open and honest. So thank you Grace for being willing to share and continue to push yourself to speak on such an incredible and note-worthy topic.
“I have had multiple people reach out to me over the course of my roughly year long+ internet presence, and share with me that my content has helped them either cope better, or that they’ve learned something from it, or don’t feel alone in their struggles. “
I am not at all surprised that multiple people have reached out to Grace. It’s because Grace is pursuing a topic that others need help with and there are not many resources available for specifically Catholics and mental struggles.
Something that continues to strike me with Grace, is her FAITH in pursuing this blog topic. Even though it is an unconventional topic, she still boldly pursues it, even when it might be uncomfortable. I think that’s is almost the trick to finding exactly what God is calling you to speak on. It’s always going to be something that will help others but may be a topic that isn’t the most comfortable to speak on at first. But the beautiful thing is that God WILL equip you with what you need to keep pushing.
Here is one of Grace’s recent posts:
“📣📣📣PSA: you can ask for a different penance in Confession. 🤯 A priest who used to be at my parish told me that, and it was mind blowing.
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In Confession today, I mentioned to the priest (as always) that I suffer from OCD/scrupulosity. He was not my regular confessor, which was my own fault, but anywho. After mentioning this, I continued with my Confession.
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At the end, he gave me the penance “say 1 Our Father for yourself, and 1 for every person you may have hurt since your last Confession.” 😳😳😳 if you’re like me, you may have heard that and assumed that you’d be saying Our Fathers until the day you die.
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So I said “Father I never do this, but I am way too scrupulous for that, could I please have a more specific penance?” He was caught off guard, but agreed and gave a new penance.
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Once pre-diagnosis, I had received a penance that was “pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Meditate on each word and apply it to your life.” I didn’t know then that I could request a new one, or I did and had forgotten or been too scared to do so. But now I do. And now you do too!
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What’s the best penance you’ve ever gotten?”
Here are some ways Grace suggests that help coupe with any anxious/OCD tendencies:
Have friends or family you can reach out to.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to a priest for spiritual direction.
If you have a hobby that helps engage your mind in something other than OCD/anxiety, DO IT. For me, cross-stitching while watching a show or listening to a podcast really helps me decompress and process.
I think what really struck me was the statement to “DO IT”. In my own life I know there are certain things I can do to help calm my anxiety but I rarely push myself to do those exact things. Why is that? I think it’s easier to just stay complacent and bound by certain areas of your life than to actively work on it…at least that’s how I feel it is in my own life.
This young woman has so much wisdom and we are blessed to have had Grace offer her insights and help to others struggling through similar situations. Thank you, Grace, for being bold and speaking in the places that God has called you.
Please go give Grace a follow: @theocd_catholic
Showing support is the best way to encourage others and help us all to stay dedicated to the work God has given us.
Love, LHC