April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
NEW BOOK
Author recounts spiritual growth at Albany's Abba House of Prayer
Author recounts spiritual growth at Albany's Abba House of Prayer
The result is a new book about how her spirituality was deepened through her involvement with Abba House of Prayer, an Albany diocesan site for spiritual direction and prayer experiences that operated from 1971-2006.
In 1994, when Mrs. Samson was exploring how to improve her spirituality at a critical time in her life, "I looked up 'prayer' in the Yellow Pages, and Abba House was listed," she recalled. "I hadn't heard anything in my church about spiritual directors."
Abba House was founded by Sacred Heart Sisters Elizabeth "Libby" Hoye and Mary Gen Smyth. For 35 years, it offered Bible studies, retreats and other spiritual programs.
Mrs. Samson's growth as a Catholic through Abba House programs helped her to cope with and then overcome her own health problems and her son's long battle with mental illness.
In her book, "Abba House and Me: Prayer Changes Everything," she alternates chapters on the history of the center and its impact on her personal life.
House and home
"I found myself really enjoying the atmosphere of Abba House, as well as the company of Sister Libby and Sister Mary Gen. They were very supportive," the author said.
Mrs. Samson said she needed such support at the time because her family life was "incredibly difficult." She and her husband were struggling "to discern what was wrong with our son. His behavior changed when he was 11 years old, and we spent seven years searching for answers and consulting various counselors, doctors, tutors and social workers."
Getting a diagnosis was difficult. The Samsons spent countless hours working their way through options; Mrs. Samson listed "residential treatment, court orders, counseling and intensive outpatient treatment programs." Eventually, their son got the medication he needed.
As a result, Mrs. Samson said, her now-32-year-old son "is healthy, employed by the same company for 13 years, engaged to a lovely young woman -- and happy."
Two things buoyed her through that dark phase of her life: her husband's support and the spiritual direction she received at Abba House.
Support from Abba
At the house of prayer, she said, she experienced "accountability and encouragement. Regular prayer and meditation can be challenging, particularly when life is challenging."
Her husband supported her spiritual growth. "[He] didn't discourage me from taking time for weekends of prayer at Abba House," Mrs. Samson said. "We were all under pressure, and I was suffering from endometriosis and frequent migraine headaches. He also left me alone during my morning prayer times."
Summing up her Abba House experiences, Mrs. Samson said, "I found God at the end of the road. It was a safe, quiet spiritual home where I was nourished and cared for spiritually, emotionally and physically, during a time when my family home was in chaos."
After the closing of Abba House and Sister Libby's death, Mrs. Samson continued her growth with another spiritual director. Having such soul-support is essential, she said, encouraging people to "get a spiritual director and be accountable to their suggestions. And spend time in the Word. The Bible really has all the answers to the tough questions. Find a good Bible teacher who preaches the Word and soak it up."
Book 'poured out'
After years of dealing with travail, seeking spiritual guidance and finding hope, Mrs. Samson decided to recount her experiences in a book.
"I had a career change that resulted in more free time," she explained. "I prayed and asked for a writing topic of substance. I felt the answer was to write about Sister Libby, who had passed away on my birthday the previous September. As I researched and wrote about the 30-year ministry of Abba House, I felt compelled to also write the story of my own house."
As she worked on the book, "the words poured out of me," she said. "I relived the seven difficult years when our family struggled with my son's illness. I found the writing to be both cathartic and painful, but I persisted until it was done. I knew the story could benefit other families with similar circumstances."
("Abba House and Me: Prayer Changes Everything" by Anne Samson is available online at www.xulonpress.com/bookstore, www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.)[[In-content Ad]]
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD
Comments:
You must login to comment.