Hello!
Has anyone here had any experience with overcoming pornography/masturbation addiction using the rosary? Or the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows?
I’m Orthodox. I’m studying Catholicism and Orthodoxy to understand the truth. I’ve been praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows for over a year. And my lust has decreased threefold, but not completely. I’ve also realized a lot about what I’m doing wrong, but… I just want to understand what exactly I need to do to make the rosary work (I know the rosary doesn’t work independently, but I’m just not making progress).
If anyone knows or has gone through something similar, please advise.
The problem is that I have two diagnoses that are preventing me from getting rid of my problems: CPTSD and Asperger’s syndrome.
I’d like to hear advice from Catholic priests, if possible.
P.S. Sorry for my bad English. I am from Russia.
The Rosary is a devotional. It is not a magic bullet if that makes sense.
I had to look up what “The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows” actually is. I have never Prayed that devotional.
In my quick research of this devotional of St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) I see that there were “promises” attached to the devotion and that always makes me skeptical of any claim. This does not mean that the devotion is therefore bad, it just means that I am skeptical of the origin of the Prayer, but the Prayer itself can be very good.
The Orthodox have a very special Prayer that Catholic Christians also love (referring to The Jesus Prayer).
And we also have 1 Peter 5:8 and The Saint Michael Prayer, which you may find helpful.
For some, addiction is as simple as, “Either I am doing the thing or I am not.” And thus they choose not to do the thing that they were once addicted to.
My Grandpa used to smoke three packs of cigarettes per day. And he quit cold turkey.
For others it is not that simple. It is an ongoing struggle.
Sacred Scripture has some helpful advice:
- “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man… (so you are not alone in this struggle) but He will also provide with the temptation the escape… (this is great news!” (Reflect on 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:16; 1 John 5:4)
- Addiction corrupts the soul, but, with His Spirit, we must not give up. (Reflect on Galatians 6:7-9; James 4:7; Romans 8:26)
- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just…” (Reflect on 1 John 1:9; Acts 8:22
- “If your eye causes you to stumble… If your hand causes you to sin…” Cut out the things that cause us to sin. Delete the apps if you need to. Go to bed when everyone else goes to bed. Don’t watch streamed movies alone. (Reflect on Matthew 18:8-9)
- Don’t be a slave to two masters (Reflect on Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13)
- Addiction is a form of enslavement, but Christ has come to set us free if we yoke ourselves to Him and not to our addictions! (Reflect on Galatians 5:1)
I hope this helps. Please make the time to read each of these verses and take the time to reflect on them. And know that your struggle will be in my Prayers as you Pray, Come Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your answers! This is truly very important to me. However, I see promises on various YouTube channels about life-changing results after praying the rosary.
And regarding the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, I was referring to the rosary given in Kibeho. As far as I know, the Catholic Church has recognized it as a miracle.
The Church has approved Kibeho, however, this does not mean that Catholic Christians are obliged to believe it. I personally am skeptical, but I am not here to dissuade anyone from believing these private revelations.
I have a problem with the promise that says when this Seven Sorrows Prayer is prayed with an open and repentant heart, “the rosary” would win us the Lord’s forgiveness for our sins and free our souls from guilt and remorse.
Praying the Rosary is not a replacement for the Sacrament of Reconciliation nor for what Jesus has done for us on the Cross!
I think Catholic Christians need to be careful when it comes to such “promises” and private revelations. Sometimes individuals can read into things or even elevate these private revelations above public revelation and that is where I think things become disordered.
I have not problem with the Seven Sorrows Rosary itself. I think it is very beautiful and a great reflection on the sorrows our Blessed Mother had to experience as her Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ lived this life, suffered, and died. The Prayer is a reflection on The Gospels.
I once saw a video where a catholic guy was explaining that if you pray the rosary, in the end, there are only 2 scenarios that can happen, either the rosary will win out, and you will stop sinning, or sin will win, and you will stop praying the rosary. Also look into Our Lady undoer of knots
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