Breast Cancer Prayer, Ritual, and Healing

Breast cancer. The diagnosis pounded in Diann Neu’s ears as she listened to her long-time associate and friend. She had come to Neu yearning for something to help her cope: holistic, feminist prayers and rituals.

“I had nothing,” says Neu, the co-founder and co-director of WATER or Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual, who, despite a wide knowledge of and access to resources, found herself without access to materials that addressed the journey of women with cancer.

In collaboration with women with cancer, Neu created Seasons of Survival: Prayers and Rituals for Women with Cancer--a set of prayer cards containing rituals and liturgies that could easily be carried along to chemotherapy sessions or doctor’s appointments.

Neu said before she created Seasons of Survival, she asked a group of women with breast cancer what they needed.

“They told me they wanted prayers and rituals,” Neu says.

The Seasons of Survival packet contains prayers, rituals and litanies that are specific to the experiences of women with cancer and those accompanying them. The cards offer women prayers for chemotherapy, practices for when they begin losing their hair, and laments for the inability to conceive, among others.

Cynthia Lapp, pastor of Hyattsville (Md.) Mennonite Church, has shared these prayers and spiritual practices with several women in her congregation who are dealing with cancer. She has also used the prayers and rituals during a women’s Bible study group.

Lapp appreciates the inclusive and comfortable language of the materials in Seasons of Survival, as well as their embodied and holistic focus.

“It acknowledges different parts of the body and focuses on blessing ourselves,” Lapp says.

Such a blessing often requires support from others.

"It’s nice to see that and know that there are other people who are also being encouraged and doing that," Lapp adds.

Out of this project, and the responses of women that have found these resources meaningful, Neu has expanded the project to a second and third phase.

• The Seasons of Survival prayer packet offers focused prayers around the issue of cancer. Whether you are just beginning to face the journey yourself, are claiming a new you, or are in need of a prayer to honor a loved one, nourish your mind, body, and soul with these prayers and rituals. They have been created for you.
• The Seasons of Healing packet of cards is meant to accompany women dealing with life-threatening illness and / or loss. The cards are designed to foster healing through diverse modes of writing, art, holistic activities and rituals, and suggested tools and tips for coping. These resources can help you become better in tune with yourself and those around you on the healing journey.
• A third phase of the project focuses on companions, caregivers, and family members.  It is due out in October 2008.

These products and more can be ordered through an order form on the WATER website: http://www.his.com/~mhunt/order.htm.

This article is a condensed and updated version of article originally appearing in The Mennonite: http://www.themennonite.org/public_press_releases/Surviving_seasons_of_illness/

WATER, founded in 1983 by Mary E. Hunt and Diann Neu, is a feminist educational center that helps to organize programs, publications and resources representing feminist religious values and advocating for social justice.