A Nigerian Priest in diaspora, Reverend Father Jacob Dankasa has directed Christian familities to the Saints as solution to their problems.
He made this disclosure in a statement titled “In Our Families Today” which he said is the fruit of several books he read “about the life of saints who maried and raised families.”
Father Dankasa who comes from the Diocese of Kafanchan but is currently working in the Diocese of Dallas, State of Texas, United States of America maintained that “It wasn’t easier for them [the Saints] either. They faced their own struggles in raising a family. But they went through it with resilience and today they’re called saints.”
He took the chance to urge Catholic families especially those who facing various challenges to copy the life of the Saints.
“Bringing together my study of the life of Saints who raised families, my relationship with families that I both know and serve, and my many years of experience in pastoral ministry dealing with marriage and Family life, I decided to write a book as a practical guide for the spiritual life of families.
“When I was writing the book, ‘Faith, Not Convenience,’ I started thinking about the struggles that many families go through today in both faith and family life. This inspired me to concurrently begin writing another book on the struggles in family life” he further stated.”
The priest who holds a Doctorate degree in Information Sciences also disclosed that, “I remembered the struggles of my own family, remembering how my Mom and Dad struggled with their marital life and with raising us in the family. It wasn’t an easy journey for them, that I can remember vividly.”
He noted that as a priest for about 18, he has seen how many families suffer and struggle.
“I have seen and encountered families with beautiful experiences of faith and life, and I have also encountered those who have struggled with both family life and living their faith.
“You sometimes get a beautiful impression of husband and wife living happily, but deep within they are struggling with a child or children that cause them pain” said he.
The communication expert emphasized that ‘In other instances, you find very calm and responsible children who are otherwise terrified and emotionally disturbed because of the lack of harmony between their parents.
“In some families, you find one spouse who is very devout and unwavering in the faith, who is working hard to be an example of holiness for the children, but unfortunately the other spouse is exactly the opposite, presenting difficulties to the family and undermining the efforts of the faithful spouse.
“Or you see a young man and woman who, before they got married, had so much hope for the future, with a sincere anticipation of a happily-ever-after marrital home. But just to realise that after 2 years of marriage all the enthusiasm and hope are disintegrated and replaced with unsettled troubles.”
He highlighted that fact that both young and old couples as well as priests “deal with these issues in [their] pastoral roles frequently among the people [they] serve.”
The cleric revealed that this was what motivated him to write a book titled, “Spiritual Plan for Families: Preparing Your Home for a Life of Faith Following the Examples of Saints Who Raised Families” which will be released in June or July this year.
“My hope is that this book, when published, will help guide single people preparing for marriage or married couples and Christian families in developing a spiritual plan for themselves and for their families that will help them remain faithful to their Christian calling in order to build faith-based homes regardless of their everyday challenges of marriage and family life” Fr. Dankasa surmised.
Fr. Dyikuk is a Lecturer of Mass Communication, University of Jos, Editor – Caritas Newspaper and Convener, Media Team Network Initiative (MTNI), Nigeria. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: 08036232232.
Great piece! A timeless guide for family apostolate