There are two different kinds of
hagiotherapy:
First, hagiotherapy – which means “holy
therapy” – refers to a technique used since Medieval times to treat the sick by
contact with relics of the saints, pilgrimages or other religious observances.
Second, hagiography refers to a modern
therapeutic model developed by Father Tomislav Ivancic, founder of the
Center for Spiritual Help in Zagreb. Fr. Tomislav, who is a member of the
International Theological Commission and has given retreats to the Swiss Guards
at the Vatican, developed a therapy based on the pathology of the human soul
and how to treat it. Influenced by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Salvifici
doloris, his psychotherapeutic method focuses on
purifying one’s life of dysfunctional behavior patterns and is based on the
fact that evil causes destruction of the personality as well as of the spirit.
For instance, evil persons tend to be miserable, hateful, desperate, impatient,
etc., while the spiritually healthy tend to be honest, patient, brave,
forgiving, etc. One of the main instruments used in treatment are holy texts,
particularly Scripture.
This therapy was originally developed by
Dr. Prokop Remes from methods of pastoral therapy and spiritual assistance that
were being practiced in the underground Czech Catholic Church during the
communist regime. Dr. Remes used it on patients at the Psychiatric Clinic in
Prague and for treatment of addicted individuals who were both believers and
non-believers. A comprehensive theoretical system was later conceived.
Fr. Ivancic began using it at the Center in
1994 and says it can be applied to all persons, regardless of their belief
system, because it is based on the natural moral law.