Finding God in Times of Depression
Just A Minute Meditations
Sr. Kathryn J. Hermes FSP
ISBN 9780819834720
eISBN 9780819834713
ASIN B0D5KLR51F
I have picked up a all of the volumes in this series over the years but had not got around to reading any of them until earlier this year. As of the writing of this review there are 7 volumes in the series, 4 authors with Sister Kathryn having penned 4 of the volumes. To date and 4 and penned by Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP. But while researching for this review I have found out, at least a few of the volumes are a rebranding of volumes published 8 years ago under the titles “Mediations for …” I picked this as the next volume to read because of a few friends struggling with depression, some I just found out about and one I have supported for decades.
The description of this edition states:
““[May] these meditations unlock in your heart the courage to believe in God’s desire to save and bless you even through the darkest hours of your life.”—from the Introduction
These thirty daily meditations offer reassurance that our loving God always walks with us, especially in times of sadness and desolation. Each day’s meditation includes:
• a Scripture passage
• a reflection
• a short prayer.
This collection of hope-filled reflections and prayers provides spiritual accompaniment on the journey to greater serenity and light. Sister Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is the best-selling author of many books, including Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach and Reclaim Regret: How God Heals Life's Disappointments. You can connect with her at her site.”
Another current description is:
“This pocket-sized booklet of thirty meditations will help you unlock the courage to believe in God’s desire to save and bless you, especially in times of sadness and desolation. Each meditation includes a Scripture passage; a brief reflection by Sister Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, award-winning author of Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach; and a short prayer. This booklet also features a collection of additional prayers to spark hope and offer spiritual accompaniment on your journey to greater serenity and light.
Finding God in Times of Depression is part of the Just a Minute Meditations series, a collection of themed meditation books to help you pray through the challenges of life.”
About the author we are informed:
“Sr. Kathryn James Hermes is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. Sister Kathryn has an M.T.S. from Weston Jesuit School of Theology and an advanced certificate in Scripture. Besides her work for Pauline Books & Media as director of digital publishing, she gives numerous presentations throughout the US and Canada. She lives in Massachusetts.”
The chapters in this volume are:
Introduction
1. You Want to Know Our Pain
2. You Are About to Do a New Thing
3. Come to My Rescue
4. Lord, Hear My Cry for Help
5. Help Me to See You Walking with Me
6. Lord, Lift My Heart
7. Jesus, Help Me Breathe
8. Jesus, Remind Me Who I Am
9. O Lord, My Soul Cries Out to You
10. Jesus, I Want to See!
11. By Which You Have Saved Me
12. The Lord Is My Shepherd
13. You, O Lord, Call Me by Name
14. Jesus, Help Me to Hope
15. Listen to Jesus
16. Jesus Knows Where I Am Hiding
17. Let Your Face Shine on Us, O Lord!
18. You Love Even the Messy Parts of My Life
19. Jesus, I Want to Be Well
20. Help Me Trust Your Promise
21. Lord, You Know That I Love You
22. A New Treasure Is Being Revealed
23. How Beautiful It Is to Praise You
24. You Are the God of My Salvation
25. O Give Thanks to the Lord
26. We Are Children of the Resurrection
27. Remember This Sign of God’s Love
28. You Change My Sorrow into Praise
29. You Alone Have Guided Me
30. A Deep Pilgrimage of Faith
Prayers
The prayers in a section at the end of the book are:
Breath Prayers
Prayer of Trust
The Memorare
Hail, Holy Queen
To My Guardian Angel
Psalm 116
Psalm 86
An Ancient Celtic Blessing
Wisdom from Saint Teresa of Avila
I Believe
Rituals
I highlighted a few passages while working through this volume, they are:
“Gentle Jesus, these places in my life frighten me. I trust in you, my only hope.”
“When we ache for normalcy but find ourselves in the land of suffering where everything we knew and long for has been taken away, we may begin to appreciate the smallest things: sunrises, a pet, a cup of coffee, a few moments of quiet prayer.”
“With time we discover how resilient we have become and how amazing we creatures of God can be.”
“Jesus, my Brother, when I feel alone, remind me who I am: a child of the Father. Fill me with your Spirit so I can say with you, “Abba, Father.””
“This response of God might seem harsh, but over many years I have come to trust that healing is always a combination of taking care of ourselves and having confidence that God is taking care of us.”
“Jesus, you who know everything about me, let me hear you call my name.”
“I now can see that even the most vulnerable places, even the years that brought the greatest anguish, had been woven by God into his plan for my welfare. Those places and years did not harm me. Yes, they were hard. Yes, sometimes they broke me. Yes, I cannot deny that they had lifelong consequences. Yes, I have had to struggle because of them. But yes, in some mysterious way, I now know that they belong in my life.”
“God my Father, I rest my heart in your hands. I trust you. Lead me.”
“In Christ, God’s kingdom is already unfolding. Nothing can stop it. Nothing can ultimately harm us.”
“So put down your phone, disconnect from social media for a time, check a reliable source of news no more than once a day, and with all that saved time, come before Jesus in the Eucharist and listen.”
“God loves you. That is the whole story. God’s love is where it all began. God’s love sustains us no matter what. God’s love sanctifies us. God’s love forgives us again and again. God’s love will receive us one day when we pass from this life into eternity. God’s love is everything, and nothing has the power to cut us off from this love.”
“Jesus has an endless desire to be a part of our life. Again and again, he seeks us out and asks us this question: “Do you want to be made well? Do you want a life healed and whole?” And Jesus will respect your response.”
“Say yes. This is the longest yes you will ever say, because it starts from this moment and will be repeated every moment until you walk the streets of the New Jerusalem.”
“Jesus wants you to let him be at your side, no matter what you’ve done in your life. He only wants to know one thing: “Do you love me?””
“No matter the tragedy, anxiety, or sorrow that troubles you, the God who gives you breath is faithful. He will give you “the feet of a deer”: graceful and swift, surefooted in your reliance on him, undeterred by situations that would normally get you down.”
“God, give me the grace, courage, and inner strength to live victoriously.”
“One of the most beautiful gifts we can receive from God as we heal is the gift of remembering and reverencing the past with wonder and amazement.”
“In times of depression your life may feel broken to pieces, yet God can use this experience to give you what you need to become all you were meant to be.”
A sample day is:
“13 You, O Lord, Call Me by Name
“Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.”
Luke 13:10–13
For eighteen years—maybe more than half her life—this woman so bent and crippled had been staring at the ground. She was isolated from everyone around her as they talked over her, around her, about her.
I often imagine what it must have been like for her to hear a voice that spoke to her with such gentleness that Sabbath day. What was in her heart as she crossed the floor of the synagogue toward Jesus as everyone looked on? Though others may not have noticed her except when she was in their way, Jesus had always seen her. Her neighbors might not have wanted to get involved. After all, eighteen years is a very long time to care about someone who’s ill. Jesus, however, reached out to her with the gift of new life.
For those of us who suffer with depression, the months and years of illness could seem interminable. We, too, might feel bent over under the weight of all we bear. Yet we, like this woman, are seen by Jesus.
Jesus, you who know everything about me, let me hear you call my name.”
I hope those quotes and sample day give you a feel for this book, and I believe the series. This was a great volume to read and pray through over a month; one that after a few weeks I started recommending to a couple of friends. I benefitted from the reading. It is an easy volume to engage with, and you will benefit based on how much effort you put in. It would be a great book and series for teens, young adults and us older adults as well.
It is a great book and excellent series. I can easily recommend it.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books in the Just A Minute Meditations Series:
Embracing Hope in Christ – Kris Frank
Finding God In Times of Depression – Kathryn J. Hermes
Finding Inner Peace – Kathryn J. Hermes
Grieving with Christ – Mary Leonorr Wilson
Growing in Self Esteem - Marie Paul Curley
Healing After Betrayal – Kathryn J. Hermes
Trusting in God’s Love – Kathryn J. Hermes
…
Books by Kathryn J. Hermes:
Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach
Beginning Contemplative Prayer: Out of Chaos Into Quiet
Prayers for Surviving Depression
Holding on to Hope
Making Peace with Yourself: 15 Steps to Spiritual Healing
The Journey Within: Prayer As A Path To God
Cherished by the Lord
Minute Meditations for Lent
Jesus: Help in Every Need
Reclaim Regret: How God Heals Life's Disappointments
Healing After Betrayal
...
