My childhood education was with Dominican nuns. Most of them never learned the meekness of Christ toward little children. Most of them beat us --the boys more than the girls -- with oak rulers draftsmen's metal straight edges bare hands, fists. Besides the beatings there was regular indoctrination in the religion of pain. Many of those nuns seem to have made a specialty out of the most lurid, sadomasochistic tales from the Roman martyrology. After eight years of such inverted sexualization of pain a kid was well prepared for anguish and guilt ridden introspection. That was not romanticization of pain. It was a sick initiation into the pornography af suffering -- all reverently inflicted under the image of the bleeding, crucified Christ.
I heard stories similar to yours, but yours is the worst I've ever heard. I wonder if they still do that, or if parents and the Diocese may have stopped it. It's wrong anyway. I'm so sorry you had to endure that.
No I thing the age of the bludgeon is probably over. When I was younger I met some younger Dominican nuns i.nvolved in catholic charities work. I did some preliminary architectural cost estimates for the wore street clothes, but lived in a ghetto convent with much oler nuns --holy penguins. The older nuns were quite befuddled by my nocturnal visits to the convention. They made frequent appearances with cookies and tea, just to make sure I wasn't being too male with Christ's brides. It was very amusing.
It appears that you are averse to taking anti-anxiety meds, C.J. As for me, I'm sorry I waited until I was almost 50! When I think of all the years spent in the anxiety waste-land...but I try not to dwell on that and just be so grateful that I was finally "redeemed". Before being formally diagnosed and prescribed meds, I spent the previous year using OTC St. John's Wort which is recommended for things like anxiety or depression. It proved to be effective enough for me at the time that I was able to feel free of the worst aspects of it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go the "natural" route.
Make sure you read the label and do an online check of any possible side effects. For an OTC med, it's not "kids stuff" and should be taken as seriously as any prescription med. All the usual warnings apply. This is the best way I can describe its therapeutic effects on me: I felt as though there was a kind of invisible shield between me and "the pain." So I didn't feel it as directly and it wasn't as immobilizing. For me, that was a huge improvement. I sincerely hope this works for you, C.J. I agree, there is nothing "romantic" about pain and suffering (unless you're into Romeo and Juliet).
Sometimes it takes a while to "kick in"--it happened quickly with me, but some people say it took a "few weeks" to notice the subtle change that made all the difference. Of course, it goes without saying that I would love to hear how it works for you!
My childhood education was with Dominican nuns. Most of them never learned the meekness of Christ toward little children. Most of them beat us --the boys more than the girls -- with oak rulers draftsmen's metal straight edges bare hands, fists. Besides the beatings there was regular indoctrination in the religion of pain. Many of those nuns seem to have made a specialty out of the most lurid, sadomasochistic tales from the Roman martyrology. After eight years of such inverted sexualization of pain a kid was well prepared for anguish and guilt ridden introspection. That was not romanticization of pain. It was a sick initiation into the pornography af suffering -- all reverently inflicted under the image of the bleeding, crucified Christ.
I heard stories similar to yours, but yours is the worst I've ever heard. I wonder if they still do that, or if parents and the Diocese may have stopped it. It's wrong anyway. I'm so sorry you had to endure that.
No I thing the age of the bludgeon is probably over. When I was younger I met some younger Dominican nuns i.nvolved in catholic charities work. I did some preliminary architectural cost estimates for the wore street clothes, but lived in a ghetto convent with much oler nuns --holy penguins. The older nuns were quite befuddled by my nocturnal visits to the convention. They made frequent appearances with cookies and tea, just to make sure I wasn't being too male with Christ's brides. It was very amusing.
It appears that you are averse to taking anti-anxiety meds, C.J. As for me, I'm sorry I waited until I was almost 50! When I think of all the years spent in the anxiety waste-land...but I try not to dwell on that and just be so grateful that I was finally "redeemed". Before being formally diagnosed and prescribed meds, I spent the previous year using OTC St. John's Wort which is recommended for things like anxiety or depression. It proved to be effective enough for me at the time that I was able to feel free of the worst aspects of it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go the "natural" route.
Thank you for the heads up, Carol. I think you're my Fairy Godmother in disguise. I'll try the St. John's Wort. Again I thank you! 🤍🤍
Make sure you read the label and do an online check of any possible side effects. For an OTC med, it's not "kids stuff" and should be taken as seriously as any prescription med. All the usual warnings apply. This is the best way I can describe its therapeutic effects on me: I felt as though there was a kind of invisible shield between me and "the pain." So I didn't feel it as directly and it wasn't as immobilizing. For me, that was a huge improvement. I sincerely hope this works for you, C.J. I agree, there is nothing "romantic" about pain and suffering (unless you're into Romeo and Juliet).
Okay, will do. Thank you again!
Sometimes it takes a while to "kick in"--it happened quickly with me, but some people say it took a "few weeks" to notice the subtle change that made all the difference. Of course, it goes without saying that I would love to hear how it works for you!
Will do, if I try it.
Thank you again.