What is a spiritual support Group?

Our groups are not therapy - Spiritual support groups are different from therapy groups.  Our groups offer the sacred space to share and speak about our relationship with God. We learn from reflecting on our spiritual experiences    in light of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

We don’t prescribe a certain diagnosis or treatment plan.  Instead, we encourage a focus on spirituality as a means to find meaning, hope and comfort.  

We invite anyone to attend who is searching for a way to be at peace with God having the experience of a family member with a brain disorder or mental illness.  We are Catholic and ecumenical.

Below is a suggested sample format of a group when held in person

A Sample Agenda

1. Prayer Time in Church: Reflections on our patron’s life - 15 min.
2. “Under Her Mantle”: Our monthly bulletin - 5 min.           
3. Supporting one another: Become people with three hearts - 30 min.
4. Reflection on Catholic Teaching: Compassion & Understanding - 20 min.
5. Time of Compassion: Our educational piece - 15 min.
6. Advocacy: Voice for the voiceless - 5 min.
7. Question and Answers: 
8. Close with chaplet prayer:

Total: 1 ½ Hours

Here is a sample of the Monthly Group Bulletin used in the past.

Who Can be a Group Leader

• The Leaders should have a loved one in their family with mental illness
• The Leader should have a spiritual director (it could be the local pastor)
• The Leader has to be in good Christian standing 
• The Leader must be willing to follow the direction of the Guardian of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre
• A Co-leader is recommended but is not mandatory

What to do if you are interested in becoming a group leader

• The person’s spiritual director/pastor must email Timothy Duff with approval
  • Once contacted by your spiritual director/pastor a password will be given to you so that you will have access to download all of the materials needed to start the MMOMI Group

MMOMI- Official Ministry of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre

After twenty‑five years of seeing our loved one suffer from mental illness and experiencing the stigma of the disease, we founded the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre a spiritual support. These groups which are the Guild’s ministry is an answer to our prayers.