New book aims to encourage men and women from broken homes

SAN FRANCISCO — The solubility of marriage has been declining for years, leaving millions of children to grow up in broken homes over decades. These children are now adults and, in many cases, are the walking wounded, having found few places of support and encouragement specifically directed at them and their unique situations. Dr. Daniel and Bethany Meola hope to change that with their new book, LIFE-GIVING WOUNDS: A CATHOLIC GUIDE TO HEALING FOR ADULT CHILDREN OF DIVORCE OR SEPARATION (Ignatius Press).

Dr. Daniel and Bethany Meola are the founders of Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic non-profit apostolate dedicated to the healing of adult children of divorce or separation. The Meolas, both graduates of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, live in Maryland with their two daughters.

No matter how “normal” divorce and family breakdown become, they always inflict profound wounds on families — not only the parents, but the children, whether young or grown. The children of divorce are fractured on the level of their very being: heart, mind and soul. LIFE-GIVING WOUNDS seeks to help these adult children of divorce discover a path to recovery and help them to, ultimately, increase their capacity for joy and find solace in the immeasurable ocean of love of God.

In LIFE-GIVING WOUNDS, the Meolas use personal stories, academic research and theological formation to help readers recognize the many ruptures caused by divorce and, more crucially, to find new life by grieving, praying, hoping, loving, forgiving, trusting and committing to one’s vocation. The book is not only for adult children of divorce but also for those who love them and care for them.

“The Meolas provide the research on the trauma that can impair the children of divorce even into adulthood,” said Art and Laraine Bennett, authors of The Temperament God Gave You. “More importantly, they show how integrating a Catholic perspective of Christ’s healing grace with sound psychology can overcome and heal these wounds.”

For more information, to request a media review copy, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Daniel and Bethany Meola, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.

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