US TV channel, WHSV-TV reported on a study which showed a third of people experienced heightened anxiety because of the weather, as climate change causes more extreme and uncertain conditions.
Are you feeling anxious as this current band of bad weather here in southern Spain shows little sign of drawing to a close? If so, then an article in Catholic media outlet, Busted Halo, might be of interest.
Busted Halo reported on four saints who it is believed can help us through anxiety! It appears they were selected as their faith, trust and hope in God helped them through times of anxiety and despair, during their life times.
First up, St Philip Neri, 16th century Italian priest and mystic, who was known for his immense sense of joy, which enabled him and enables us to overcome stress and anxiety;
Secondly, St Dymphna, a 7th century Irish princess, who fled Belgium to escape her mentally ill father, and is known as the patron saint of the mentally ill and those suffering from stress and anxiety;
Thirdly, St Peter Damian, an 11th century Italian Benedictine monk, reformer and Doctor of the Church, who understood pain and abuse, as he was an orphan mistreated by one of his brothers, and later wrote about the importance of rest; and
Finally, St Rita of Cascia, another Italian, an Augustinian nun and mystic from the 15th century, regarded as the patron saint of impossible causes, difficult marriages, and infertility, who suffered an abusive, 18-year marriage and carried with her, on her forehead, a wound resembling a thorn from Christ’s crown.
Whether or not we believe in invoking the saints in our prayers, these four people found different ways by which their Christian faith helped them to overcome obstacles and celebrate their life in God, thus undermining the power of anxiety, stress, fear and abuse.
Read the full story on Busted Halo, here. Read on WHSV about the study of weather related anxiety here.