I have come across the term hagiotherapy a couple of times, most recently in a parish newsletter giving details of a workshop. On the Women of Grace website the following information is given, but I am interested to know about any personal experience anyone may have: Posted on March 23, 2012 by SBrinkmann NM asks: “Could you tell me if Hagiotherapy is ok?” There are two different kinds of hagiotherapy and because I don’t know which one you’re referring to, I’ll explain both. First, hagiotherapy – which means “holy therapy” – refers to a technique used since Medieval times to treat the sick by contact with relics of the saints, pilgrimages or other religious observances. Second, hagiography refers to a modern therapeutic model developed by Father Tomislav Ivancic, founder of the Center for Spiritual Help in Zagreb. Fr. Tomislav, who is a member of the International Theological Commission and has given retreats to the Swiss Guards at the Vatican, developed a therapy based on the pathology of the human soul and how to treat it. Influenced by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Salvifici doloris, his psychotherapeutic method focuses on purifying one’s life of dysfunctional behavior patterns and is based on the fact that evil causes destruction of the personality as well as of the spirit. For instance, evil persons tend to be miserable, hateful, desperate, impatient, etc., while the spiritually healthy tend to be honest, patient, brave, forgiving, etc. One of the main instruments used in treatment are holy texts, particularly Scripture. This therapy was originally developed by Dr. Prokop Remes from methods of pastoral therapy and spiritual assistance that were being practiced in the underground Czech Catholic Church during the communist regime. Dr. Remes used it on patients at the Psychiatric Clinic in Prague and for treatment of addicted individuals who were both believers and non-believers. A comprehensive theoretical system was later conceived. Fr. Ivancic began using it at the Center in 1994 and says it can be applied to all persons, regardless of their belief system, because it is based on the natural moral law. - See more at: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=13181#sthash.UywhU6MB.dpuf
I'd never heard of it before but sounds good to me. I suppose the main caution would be who is giving the workshops and are they being true to the original therapy.
Adoremus, our friend Anne has been studying this for a couple of years, has travelled to Zagreb for courses. I've asked her to give us a talk about it at the prayer group sometime, it just doesn't seem to have happened probably because she's busy trying to control the unrully mob that is our children.
I have the book on it, It does take a few years to become qualified in it afaik, and one does have to travel to Zagreb at the mo for training. I did meet a priest in Lough Derg who was into it in Ireland though.
M My sense is that it is different as it doesn't require faith on the part of the person needing healing, just the hagiotherapy assistant.
I believe there are numerous reminders in the alleged messages from Medjugorje for us to read from Holy Bible every day. Now that seems to me to be the same thing. Of course there is no big posh word used but it would appear there is healing for us all if we read Holy Bible. Or am I mistaken.
