“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
This was the biblical passage that Pope Francis cited as he prays for those who are suffering from depression and as they undergo professional help as well God’s strength through prayers.
In a 2-minute video released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network on November 3, the Holy Father asked the faithful for prayers that those who suffer “extreme exhaustion—mental, emotional, affective, and physical exhaustion” may seek His healing mercy as they also pursue medical expert treatments.
“[L]et us not forget that, together with the indispensable guidance of a psychologist, which is useful and effective, Jesus’ words also help. These words come to my mind and heart: ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,’” he stressed.
The Pope also invited everyone to reach out to them and “listen in silence” as they experience “sadness, apathy, and spiritual tiredness end up dominating people’s lives, which are overloaded due to the rhythm of life today.”
“Let us strive to be close to those who are exhausted, to those who are desperate, without hope. Often, we should simply listen in silence because we cannot go tell someone, ‘No, life’s not like that. Listen to me, I’ll give you the instructions.’ There are no instructions,” the Holy Father said.
“Let us pray that pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life,” he added.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently reported that depression has become a common mental disorder and it estimated that 5% and 5.7% of its recorded cases are adults and adults older than 60 years old, respectively. (Lem Leal Santiago/SOCOM-Binondo Church)
