In Communion with the Victims of Alcohol and Drugs

Day 4 – Christmas Novena

O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign for the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse.  Come, save us, and do not delay.

Today’s world offers to the modern person a very fast pace of life. It is not always easy to cope with the demands of modern life. People do not succeed in family relationships, community and at work.  They put many demands on each other. So often, a person, especially a young one, flees into the world of alcohol, drugs and other addictions.

Entering the path of substance abuse, especially alcohol and drug abuse – is not only an escape from life. It is also the result of too much self-focus, only on their own experiences, on finding a rapid improvement of mood in the face of anxiety and hardships of life.

When one enters the path of addiction, she/he becomes increasingly helpless in the face of his/her own weakness and calls louder with its erroneous behaviour, which is a cry for help. But those who love them, do not always understand their cry.  They cannot act quickly and come to the rescue, as did Mary to Elizabeth.

STORY

Emily comes from a family with many children. As a small child she experienced violence, abuse, loneliness. At the age of 11 she and her friend started taking drugs and occasionally got drunk to unconsciousness. Emily went through: undercutting, jumping from high floors, accidents, broken legs, arms, ribs and pelvis. She was in different centres and reformatory homes, from which, she successfully escaped.

The change in her life came when she completed 19 years of age. While staying at the center for addicts she realized that she is pregnant in the second month. Thoughts of the child began to dominate her life. She wanted to give a birth. In the complex center there was rigor, but they were allowed to read. Everyone could benefit from talking with a priest. There was access to the chapel and the sacraments. Eventually, Emily asked for a Bible. She began a regular prayer. Slowly, God began to guide her life and she felt better. The child developed well. In the end, she gave birth to a pretty, healthy girl!

Today, she trusts God because despite all the difficult moments she survived.  She realized that He still cares for her.  She experienced God’s miracles in her life.  God rescued her from situations where she brushed with death, and set on her way people who helped and supported her and are still supporting her until now. She prays and thanks God everyday of her life!

PRAYER:

Let us pray for the people enslaved by alcohol, drugs and other addictions, that through the word of God they find the strength to fight for freedom, overcome their addictions and live in sobriety and joy.

Let us pray for the people who had lost their sense of life, as a result of abuse of alcohol and drugs. May a particular grace, love of God and support from other people, help them to discover the true meaning of life and liberate them from the sinful attachments, so they can enjoy their families and the community of the Church.

Let us pray for the families and friends of those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, that they find comfort in people who are supporting them in any way.

Loving God, we ask you to liberate people addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and all kinds of addiction. Let them desire to reject the temptation of using them again. We know that by their own strength, they cannot break from the acquired habits: heal them, clean their intentions, and strengthen the weak-willed. Free them from the effects that these addictions caused. Support them in their desire to live in inner freedom. Help them overcome the power of body tensions and wrong desires. Fill them with the power of God’s Word in Scriptures and embrace them with your love flowing from the Eucharist. We believe that with your grace they will become a people not only free but also devoted to your service.  Amen.

Click here for the complete text of Christmas Novena 2016 (in different languages).