The Auckland Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group Network conducted a free webinar about “Healing of the family tree” led by Fr. Rory Morrisey last March 19 and 26. The key objectives were:
- To break generational curses through the power of Jesus Christ
- To heal negative family traits
- Help future generations experience freedom and transformation
- Pray for our loved ones both living and deceased
He focused on main topics such as sin, salvation and healing. Being in this world causes suffering, pain, sickness and death but through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are given eternal life.
They provided a copy of a family tree or genogram. You can just download from a search engine and print it. You can start to write the names of your family up to the 4th generation (great grandparents) or more if you have this information. You can enumerate the following family concerns:
- Relationship concerns – eg. Infidelity, sibling rivalry, abuse etc.
- Emotional issues – depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, insecurity etc.
- Physical manifestions – various diseases or a sickness that continues to plague your family such as cancer, diabetes, stroke etc.
- Spiritual exercises – witchcraft, fortune telling, tarot cards, goodluck charms etc.
You can choose to write the name of the person alongside the issue/s. You can include cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, adopted children and so on.
Once you have the complete list, you can pray about them and ask for healing. You can also make an offering through a ceremonial burning.
The last activity is to attend a healing Mass and to ask pardon for the sins of your bloodline. You may also pray for the generation that will come after you – future children, grandchildren and that they may be spared from past sufferings.
I would like to share the lessons gained from the webinar because it helped me in processing my grief, understand issues in my lineage, find recurring sinful patterns and the steps to achieve healing. I’ve always been fascinated with the past and as they say, your past does not define your future but it’s good to know your history. It’s a great family activity in time for Lent.