“Trauma is a word for the damage we suffer in extreme circumstances…This experience is as old as mankind itself. Trauma sometimes leaves people emotionally and even physically crippled. Among ancient peoples, the trauma of life was met with liturgy – rituals, both public and private that sought to restore them to their right minds, to appease the wrath of the gods or the spirits of their enemies. The collective psyche of a whole people was set right through various actions and beliefs that worked to make peace and re-establish righteousness. Modernity has very few such rituals. The secular state, presiding over competing and disparate groups has almost nothing to which it can appeal that serves as catharsis or repentance, or even thanksgiving. Sport (such as the Super Bowl) comes closest to public liturgy in modern America, but it serves nothing transcendent, nothing permanent. It cannot heal or speak to the needs of a nation.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“...when rocked by feelings of love or anger or sorrow, or when defeated by the trauma of a personal tragedy, man's natural instinct is to search for something that will provide the answers and give him comfort and solace. There is a longing that will not be filled or satisfied by material things.” (Fr. Joseph Irvin)
“By building a culture of resilience and relational support within our clergy families and parish communities, the Church moves closer to fulfilling its role of being a healing and hospitable vessel of good news to a broken, traumatized world.” (George Stavros)
“Christ Himself became a victim of trauma, making us see that whenever we suffer, He suffers with us. There is no human sorrow in this world that the Son of Man does not also share in. There is only one healing for trauma: to behold in your suffering someone standing alongside you, someone who innocently and voluntarily bears your suffering with you.” (Timothy Patitsas)
“Both Zacchaeus and the Canaanite woman share something in common: they are tough and resilient, and take responsibility to overcome barriers. Resilience is a psychological process of adaptation in the face of obstacles, trauma, tragedy and stress is related to good emotional and physical health...One characteristic of resilience and hardiness is to take decisive action, surely a fitting description of the Canaanite woman. Interestingly, religious people are more involved, hopeful and optimistic than non-religious individuals…Both Zacchaeus and the Canaanite woman however looked to Christ and not to themselves.” (Fr. George Morelli)