Five Religious Responses During A Crisis

How have you felt about the recent clergy abuse crisis? Angry, sad, and disappointed? Rightfully so! If you live in Nevada or southern California, how did you feel after experiencing one of the recent earthquakes? Fearful? For those who overcame flooding or other natural disasters like last year’s volcanic eruption of Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii, those who endured the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7th, 1941 in which over 2,400 people were tragically killed, those who experienced the 9/11 terror attack that took the lives of almost 3,000 Americans back in 2001, or even those who were struck more recently by the tsunami of 2004 that killed almost 230,000 people in Indonesia, did you remain steadfast and firm in your faith?

While it’s also a possibility that you may not have faced any wars or natural disasters, what about crises “on the inside” like mental, emotional, or spiritual crises like depression or anxiety? For those not affected by any of the above, but yet still on a personal level, how would you feel if you had a trauma in your family with a terminal illness, a devastating accident, or even death? Upset? Shocked? Overwhelmed? Maybe you have experienced some of these crises and feelings or a combination of them. The question is how do we respond to them when they arrive on the scene. Below are five appropriate, religious responses. What religious response would you exercise during a crisis?

1. Call on the most holy name of Jesus Christ.
2. Be calm > “Be Still and know that I am God” – Ps. 46:11
3. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (as seen on the rosary beads above) especially during the hour of someone’s death. “Jesus I trust in You.”
4. Listen. Listen to the Holy Spirit in your heart, and listen to someone who wants to share and express their grief with you.
5. Seek a priest for guidance, prayer, and the sacraments of the Anointing of The Sick, The Eucharist (Viaticum – last Holy Communion before death), and Confession (all three of which are known as the “Last Rites”).

– Fr. Jeff

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan