Author Topic: Im not seeing the benefits of having a Melancholic temperament (Read 3665 times)

Daegus · « **on:** December 14, 2012, 02:39:35 PM »

Can someone please tell me what they are? From what I've read it seems people like me are more likely to be riddled with problems than grace and have issues with self worth and such.

What are the benefits of being melancholic?

Telesphorus · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2012, 02:42:19 PM »

Quote from: Daegus

Can someone please tell me what they are? From what I've read it seems people like me are more likely to be riddled with problems than grace and have issues with self worth and such.

What are the benefits of being melancholic?

Melancholic people are more thoughtful. And I think they feel greater empathy as well, but I could be mistaken about that.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2012, 03:41:19 PM »

Tele is right, Melancholics are more likely to feel empathy. They also tend to be more creative than the average person.

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2012, 04:13:53 PM »

Can a melancholic buy up to become sanguine?

Nadir · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2012, 05:35:31 PM »

Quote from: Daegus

more likely to be riddled with problems than grace?

Grace does not take our problems away but it does help us to cope with them.
I don't know much about the temperaments. FWIW never felt the need to find out more, but maybe it's a question of "pay now and reap the benefits later".

Vladimir · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2012, 01:26:31 PM »

Quote from: from "The Four Temperaments" by Rev. Conrad Hock

IV BRIGHT SIDE OF THE MELANCHOLIC TEMPERAMENT

1. The melancholic practices with ease and joy interior prayer. His serious view of life, his love of solitude, and his inclination to reflection are a great help to him in acquiring the interior life of prayer. He has, as it were, a natural inclination to piety. Meditating on the perishable things of this world he thinks of the eternal; sojourning on earth he is attracted to Heaven. Many saints were of a melancholic temperament. This temperament causes difficulties at prayer, since the melancholic person easily loses courage in trials and sufferings and consequently lacks confidence in God, in his prayers, and can be very much distracted by pusillanimous and sad thoughts.

2. In communication with God the melancholic finds a deep and indescribable peace.

He, better than anyone else, understands the words of St. Augustine: "Thee, O Lord, have created us for yourself, and our heart finds no rest, until it rests in Thee." His heart, so capable of strong affections and lofty sentiments, finds perfect peace in communion with God. This peace of heart he also feels in his sufferings, if he only preserves his confidence in God and his love for the Crucified.

3. The melancholic is often a great benefactor to his fellow men. He guides others to God, is a good counselor in difficulties, and a prudent, trustworthy, and well-meaning superior. He has great sympathy with his fellow men and a keen desire to help them. If the confidence in God supports the melancholic and encourages him to action, he is willing to make great sacrifices for his neighbor and is strong and unshakable in the battle for ideals. Schubert, in his Psychology, says of the melancholic nature: "It has been the prevailing mental disposition of the most sublime poets, artists, of the most profound thinkers, the greatest inventors, legislators, and especially of those spiritual giants who at their time made known to their nations the entrance to a higher and blissful world of the Divine, to which they themselves were carried by an insatiable longing."

Elizabeth · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:06:43 PM »

Give it time, dear Daegus.

I think the season of Advent is not full of benefits for melancholics in the USA.

I love your wry sense of humor.

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:35:40 PM »

Many wouldn't be so melancholic if it were't for the sspx heirarchy persecuting good and holy people and playing head games typical of novus ordo.

I like to feel joyful after assisting at Mass. I was feeling joyful then got excited to learn about Third Order franciscans. I was going to transfer over to my local sspx chapel. Then I read the letter closely and the joy left me. I had to read something terrible and was told that we had to ostracize the Franciscan Third Order in Canada which is not very Christian like or in the tradition of St Francis of Assisi. I don't ostracize anyone.

Many souls will be lost if they continue to mistreat and persecute good and holy people.

This is typical novus ordo heirarchy tactics conquer and divide and ostracized and exile those who don't "conform".

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:39:11 PM »

One thing about St. Francis of aSsisi was that he converted many Jєωιѕн people and Moslems to Catholicism. He didn't water down his Faith at all. He showed love patience and compassion; he didn't ostracize them or exile them.

michaela benedicta · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2012, 09:26:29 PM »

Dear Viva Cristo Rey,

I read your posts above, and was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me the whole story...

The reason that I ask is that I have had a desire/calling to join the Third Order of the Franciscans....but would only want to join THE REAL one, not the rubbish that the Novus Disordo version!

My best friend forwarded the link to the SSPX Franciscan Third Order... That is why I would like to hear your story! :)

I know what you mean about the SSPX sometimes... During my whole conversion, it was the general consensus that I was not really a convert, but a Novus Disordo plant!!! (Sigh!!). I still pray for those misguided souls that tried to make my life miserable...

Thank you for reading this!! :reading:

Love,

michaela +

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:42:41 AM »

Quote from: Daegus

Can someone please tell me what they are? From what I've read it seems people like me are more likely to be riddled with problems than grace and have issues with self worth and such.

What are the benefits of being melancholic?

Oh, Daegus! Everything leaves such a lasting impression on our souls. So much so, that we have all been able to see the destruction of the faith and the steadfastness and courage to fight against it! What better benefit than that?

It could be worse. You could be phlegmatic--but none of this would matter anyway.

PAT317 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2012, 10:34:58 AM »

Quote from: Daegus

Can someone please tell me what they are? From what I've read it seems people like me are more likely to be riddled with problems than grace and have issues with self worth and such.

What are the benefits of being melancholic?

Here's a writeup by an SSPX priest:

Quote

2. THE MELANCHOLIC TEMPERAMENT
It reacts slowly, but permanently, once an impression is made. Many Saints were melancholic. A melancholic will have to suffer a lot in life because of the great emotivity he keeps inside. He is very sentimental, inclined to reflection, prays easily, loves solitude, and has a serious conception of life: he feels homesick for God and eternity. He is very faithful in his friendships, and can give excellent advice.

A melancholic has a tendency to daydream, to scruples, can fall into terrible despair after a sin; he tends to be very suspicious, irresolute, and timid. He has constant ups and downs in his daily moods, and does not trust in himself. He loses courage in trials and sufferings, and consequently, lacks confidence in God.
A melancholic must be constantly encouraged. He must use with great frequency the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. If he really wishes to become a saint, he must pay close attention to feelings of resentment and excessive sensitivity in the face of even small humiliations, and increase his confidence in God. His salvation will be found in the voluntary and joyful bearing of his cross. He must meditate often on the Providence of God and the goodness of the heavenly Father. His superiors must take the time to speak with him.

Particular fault: moodiness, despair.

(emphasis added)

Because of the "permanent" reaction and faithfulness of the melancholic, it tends to be easier for the melancholic to keep the Faith, not a bad thing at any time and especially in this day and age. If you offer up the suffering he mentions, it can help you to become a saint. If you are homesick for God, you can use that to keep your eyes fixed on the goal, and try not to become too attached to this world. As for "issues with self worth," you can use that to help you learn self-diffidence and confidence in God alone. ["I can do all these things in Him who strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)] He shed His Precious Blood for you, which is of infinite value, which should give you all the (right kind of) self-worth you need. Almighty God thought you were worth dying for.

In other words, hopefully you will reap the benefits in the next life!

I read elsewhere that melancholics should read writers such as St. Francis de Sales or St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who help foster confidence in God, rather than writers who might foster scruples in a melancholic.

Catechist99 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2012, 07:31:52 PM »

Hello,

I am a Sanguine married to a Melancholy (opposites attract!). From a more practical perspective some of the beneficial traits of the Melancholic person that I appreciate are:

- very organized
- grace under pressure
- doesn't mind fending for self at times
- remembers to pay bills on time
- keeps checkbook balanced
- remembers important dates (anniversaries, birthdays, Holy Days)
- respects other's need for privacy or solitude
- can tolerate mundane, repetitive tasks without complaint
- is a wonderful listener
- is considerate of other's feelings
- willingly makes sacrifices
- is not superficial

Hope this encourages you that all temperaments have wonderful qualities that should be appreciated.

Vladimir · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2012, 07:47:38 PM »

Quote from: Catechist99

Hello,

I am a Sanguine married to a Melancholy (opposites attract!). From a more practical perspective some of the beneficial traits of the Melancholic person that I appreciate are:

- very organized
- grace under pressure
- doesn't mind fending for self at times
- remembers to pay bills on time
- keeps checkbook balanced
- remembers important dates (anniversaries, birthdays, Holy Days)
- respects other's need for privacy or solitude
- can tolerate mundane, repetitive tasks without complaint
- is a wonderful listener
- is considerate of other's feelings
- willingly makes sacrifices
- is not superficial

Hope this encourages you that all temperaments have wonderful qualities that should be appreciated.

Just curious, what would you consider the negative traits (from a practical perspective, like the list you compiled)?

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:02:31 PM »

Quote from: michaela benedicta

Dear Viva Cristo Rey,

I read your posts above, and was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me the whole story...

The reason that I ask is that I have had a desire/calling to join the Third Order of the Franciscans....but would only want to join THE REAL one, not the rubbish that the Novus Disordo version!

My best friend forwarded the link to the SSPX Franciscan Third Order... That is why I would like to hear your story! :)

I know what you mean about the SSPX sometimes... During my whole conversion, it was the general consensus that I was not really a convert, but a Novus Disordo plant!!! (Sigh!!). I still pray for those misguided souls that tried to make my life miserable...

Thank you for reading this!! :reading:

Love,

michaela +

We are "Catholic". I have learned so much about the Faith from SSpx and our former independent chapel. Yes, I was born and raised in the novus ordo but I did learn some things about the Faith and was introduced to the Latin Mass, angels , saint etc. Left corrupted diocese under liberal bishop.

At independent chapel, I too had a calling to the Franciscan third Order. I did take my name and scapular, praying the Crown and was attendng meetings and researching. After our beloved bishop had to leave because of illness, the lay people especially the sedevacantists were causing drama. I was overwhelmed. I decided to take a break from the Third Order. So, a friend suggested that we visit the sspx chapel and to go to a high Mass where it was done reverently. Then we have been going ever since. However, within the SSpx there is trouble among the hierarchy. They have been mistreating other priests and ousted bishop and priests who did not agree with merging to Novus Ordo and accepting Vatican II and its "Mass and sacraments."

After Mass, saw letter about SSPX Third Order and was excited and then saw that it was advised to stay away from Third Order in Canada especially a certain brother. IT lacked Christian Charity and upset me. I was upset at the hierarchy not my local sspx chapel or pastor.

Yes, even my friends from novus ordo and even a NO called me schismatic, heretic. Then I have been called worse by a novus ordo priest who would lie to the people about church closings.

At our sspx chapel the people and priests have been really kind. I have learned so much. I am now reading books about the Faith. I'm not a sedevacantist but I don't want to merge with novus ordo and lose my soul. We left the novus ordo because we were losing our religion and our souls.

I advise you if you have a calling to look into the sspx Third Order Franciscans. and see if it is for you. It is something you have to pray about.