I have a nasty horrible habit. Smoking. I started today on my third attempt to quit. (Maybe third time's a charm.) Anyway, does anyone know if there is a patron saint to pray to for this? This may seem silly to some of you, but I have an incredibly hard time giving this up. It is my relaxation at night after the children are in bed.

This time I am using nicotine patches. Last time I tried to quit, I did it without patches. On the third day my son started crying and said, "Why did you have to quit smoking? You were nicer when you smoked!" How horrible is that? So you see, I need a saint's intercession this time.

Thanks in advance for your help. I am chomping on my gum as fast as my jaws will move awaiting your responses.

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 25, 2002

Answers

Hello, Isabel.

You can do it. I smoked for 20 years before quitting (cold turkey) on January 1 (resolution), 1988.

There is no patron saint specifically for people trying to quit smoking. However, you can consider these:

Patron saint against drug addiction -- St. Maximilian Kolbe (who was injected with a lethal chemical)

Patron saints of the desperate and those with "impossible" causes or situations -- St. Jude Thaddeus ... St. Gregory Thaumaturgus ... St. Philomena ... St. Rita of Cascia

You CAN do it.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), July 25, 2002.

Thank you, John! You're an angel! Since, in a way, this could be considered a drug addiction, I will pray to St. Maximilian Kolbe!

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 25, 2002.

Isabel: I have a habit even worse than yours! I started chewing tobacco 6 years ago when I quit smoking (I was too cheap to get the gum). I would rather chew tobacco than smoke now by a long shot. But it's just as bad for you, just not your lungs. I am a WOMAN chewing tobacco! When I go into the store to buy tobacco you wouldn't believe the comments I get! After church, I sneak in the bathroom and stuff a 'small wad' in my mouth! HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT!

I'll pray for you, if you'll pray for me, and may ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN CHIME IN!!

Well, that's it for my cyberspace-confession!

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), July 25, 2002.

Pope St. Pius X was a chain smoker...honest!

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), July 25, 2002.

I've also heard that about St. Pius X, that he was a cigar smoker.

Gail: You CHEW tobacco?! I'm just blown away. Did anyone else laugh when they read that?

Isabel: Hang in there. I join John in wholeheartedly recommending St. Rita. This may not be an "impossible" case, but she's not above handling the more routine requests, too.

From a fellow smoker,

-- jake (jake__@msn.com), July 25, 2002.

Haha, yeah jake I did. That was awesome. lol.

When you find a Saint that works, let me know.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), July 25, 2002.

Hi Isabel and Gail,

Gail, thanks for the laughter today. For some reason, I can't picture you chewing tobacco.. :) Don't know you, but just from what I hear on the forum I find it funny...

Isabel, I, too, am a smoker trying to quit. It's a nasty, expensive habit. I joined a gym for women and am defeating the purpose if I continue to smoke. I bought the patches but have not used them because of the possible side affects (which I did not read until I got home!) I don't want bad dreams or anxiety....

Did you suffer any side affects from the patches??

I am so glad I read your post today. If you can quit, so can I. My friend quit in January after 25 years of smoking...just like that, just quit. He said the first week was tough, but after that it wasn't so bad.

I am doing it my own way, cutting back...eliminating the cigarette with my morning coffee..not smoking when on the phone, etc...and no smoking in the car...it's a good start.

Let us pray for each other and be each other's support system. I will pray for you and Gail and please pray for me....We will keep St. Maximilian Kolbe quite busy...

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 26, 2002.

19: Then Nebuchadnez'zar was full of fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed'nego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 20: And he ordered certain mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed'nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21: Then these men were bound in their mantles, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were cast into the burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3)

These three must have had their share of smoke of a lifetime in just a few moments (or hours), so they certainly know what it is like.

Pray to them and you'll be on the safe side.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 26, 2002.

I did roar with laughter when I read Gail's post. I am sorry Gail, but it was so funny. I can picture a lady now, racing out after church, hiding herself in a stall and stuffing tobacco in her cheek. God forbid the priest catches her when she has to spit!!!

It reminds me of stories my mother used to tell me of my greatgrandmother. She was a tobacco chewer. Can you imagine a lady in the 1940's chewing tobacco? Mom said she was a country girl - when she was doing her ironing she would be using her cast iron (the kind you heat up on the stove) and have a spit can on her ironing board. I used to crack up when Mom told me that.

Christina, Jake, that's cool about St. Pius X. I did not know that.

MaryLu, Gail, Thank you! I will definitely pray for you as well. St. Maximilian Kolbe, help us to stop puffing and chewing. Amen.

MaryLu, I used the patches the first time I tried to quit. They do work great as far as taking away the irritableness. But I still want a cigarette, more out of habit than anything, though. I do not feel like I *need* a cigarette with a patch on. The side effects aren't bad. The worst side effect I have is wierd, vivid dreams when I am wearing the patch. I just make sure I take it off an hour or so before I go to bed, and that helps. Although last night, I don't think I took it off early enough, I had a wierd dream.

Thanks to you all, I will keep you informed of the progress. This is day two.

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 26, 2002.

I'll be praying too! My mom, dad, grandma and grandpa all were smokers and quit. The power of prayer is awesome, and I know you all can do it (that is quit smoking).

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), July 26, 2002.

Isabel,

You can do anything you set your mind to do. And if that don't work, lean on God for support, he always comes thru.

I just passed my 2 month mark as a non-smoker and am very proud of myself. I think quitting smoking has definately been the hardest thing I've ever done. The first week was the hardest, then for the 1st month I'd found myself turning around and thinking it was time for a smoke, then I'd have to remind myself I dont smoke anymore:) And just wait till you try to take a break at work (or at home) and not smoke, how exactly does one take a break if you dont smoke? That takes some getting use to:) Now I'm at that point where I SMELL everything! Every morning when I goto work I get in the elevator and can smell the smokers that were just in there, is that not grose!

I think the most important advise I could give, make sure you buy Sugar Free candy & gum. I didn't and ended up with an extra 10 lbs and a cavity. Now I'm working on losing the 10 lbs, but like all things, its gonna take time. That and if something upsets you, count to 10 befor commenting!)

Gail, your a hoot:) Don't think I know any women who chew, now I do.

Isabel, I can remember stories about my great grandmother smoking a pipe of all things! I guess she took it everywhere she went:)

May St. Rita & St. Maximum bless you and give you strength to conquer your demons.

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

"Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. "Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

God Bless

-- choas (choas@ivillage.com), July 26, 2002.

Now you all know my secret!! There may be more of us out there -- you never know!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), July 26, 2002.

It's odd, but I never prayed for help to stop smoking and I think it is because I "knew" my prayers would be answered and I really did not want to quit...but now I do, so I will start praying.

Funny, but today I've been getting all kinds of messages in my email, in my regular mail and just seeing signs everywhere about quitting smoking.....and then Isabel's post..I guess God is talking to all of us...I know, for sure, He is talking to me..He did not give me a body to abuse it...

Good luck to all of you...and now I will think of Gail as the one who chews....ha,ha..you are so cute, Gail...God Bless

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 26, 2002.

Hello, Isabel

I looked for you and couldn't find a patron Saint to help you quit smoking. I think you can quit if you do some soul searching in yourself! Dig down deep and quit. You have children that are depending on you for your Motherly love.

You said, " It is my relaxtation at night after the children are in bed"

Well maybe when the children are sleeping in bed and you want a cigarette go in and look at those precious children. I know you want to live to raise your children, but when you smoke you are risking not only your future, but you are gambling with your children's Mom's health. ( This is your babies future too)

Isabel, I am sure you have seen what happens to a pretty lady or a old man when they die of lung cancer. It is a horrible death, and most people end up in diapers when they die.

Believe in yourself and pray to God and you can quit that habit. Keep a toothpick in your mouth because it is a habit to reach for your mouth when you want a ciggarette. Even a lolipop will help.

Mother Seton please pray that this Mother gives up smoking.

God bless you

David

-- David (David@excite.com), July 26, 2002.

Gail! ..and just when I was beginning to feel a kindred spirit with you!! .. I have to laugh. I won't let it come between us. I love your honesty and hope you receive our love. A couple of thoughts from Linda Schubert's booklet "True Confessions, prayers to heal the secrets in your soul", she suggests instead of trying so hard to quit these things on our own effort, we invite Jesus into those areas of bondage, those 'stuck' areas, make them a place of worship, and give Him permission to heal us.

She suggests giving Him permission to saturate your past with His love, in case the addiction is a result of old stuff. Most of us are in some kind of bondage until we encounter the love of Jesus.

-- Theresa Huether (RodnTee4Jesus@aol.com), July 27, 2002.

Hi Isabel,

I saw Art Linkletter on the Larry King Show last night. Art is 90 years 'young!' He has a positive attitude, despite having lost 2 children...one to drugs...

He looks absolutely wonderful! Still has all of his own teeth, has no physical problems, still swims every day, travels all over the world...and NEVER SMOKED...EVER..He never took a drink either. His father was a Baptist minister and very strict.

For a man his age, his skin is just beautiful...He attributes his longevity to good genes, but also the fact that he never abused his body.

Dear Lord, please help us to end this stupid, nasty addiction. Give us the strength to stop smoking. Amen

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 27, 2002.

Chris and MaryLu,

Thank you for your posts. Very thought provoking. With the graces from God and my prayers to St. Maximiliam, I am doing pretty good. I am on day 4, no cigarette yet. There are times when I am doing something and think in my head, 'I will have a cigarette after this'. Then I realize, 'No I won't either, but boy I sure wish I had one right now.' It is also instinctive to reach for one after dinner, before bed, etc. Those habits are hard to break, but I am getting better at learning how to relax without a cigarette.

Thank you all. How are you doing MaryLu? Interesting report on Art Linkletter, by the way. It is always wonderful to hear of someone living to that ripe age with their mind and body intact.

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 28, 2002.

Hi Isabel,

4 days??? That's great. I haven't started yet..as I said, I am cutting down and starting with the hardest time of the day - with my coffee...no smoking in the car...etc...but to go without one for a whole day? - have't done that yet.

Is there a certain prayer you say to St. Maximiliam? Please let me know.

Keep up the good work..if you can do it for 4 days, you can do it for 5 and so on. You're doing great. It's too bad that so many things we find enjoyable in life are bad for you....

Whatever you do, Isabel, please don't become one of those reformed smokers....they are the worst... :)

MaryLu

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 28, 2002.

MaryLu,

On my 5th day now, only today will be really hard. I am sitting here at work and not only is it Monday, I left my glasses sitting on my nightstand and I forgot to put a patch on, so needless to say I will be invoking the help of St. Maximilian often today. It is not too hard with a patch, but I get really irritable without one. I know a few people who eventually quit the way you are doing it. By cutting them out when you most want one, seems to me that you would eventually feel like you don't *need* them. Keep it up!

No certain prayer to St. Maximilian, just whatever pops in my head. I don't have any prayers directed to him, if I could find one that would be great, because I am sure mine fall short of the eloquence that he deserves.

Don't worry, I will not become an annoying reformed smoker. :) I agree, they are the worst. I have family members who are reformed smokers, and I want to bonk them over the head every time they throw a remark my way. Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! All the remarks on how it stinks, how "I quit cold turkey", that it's bad for you..........I have nearly bitten off my tongue on more than one occasion. So, hopefully I will never become one of them. >:)

Talk to you later!

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 29, 2002.

Hi Isabel,

What a day you are having! Hate when I don't have my glasses at work...can't see a thing without them any more..

A good suggestion for you today would be to repeat the Serenity Prayer over and over....you will experience an overwhelming sense of calm at some point. It always gets me through the bad days.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

God Bless....try to have a good day, despite the obstacles in your path today, Isabel!

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 29, 2002.

Hi Isabel:

How'd you do yesterday? I thought of you all day, losing your glasses. Those little things can really be stressers -- I know!

This past Saturday, our air conditioner went out in the truck when we were an hour and a half from home. Man is it hot here in the midwest.

Then we got home and my husband was putting a new door on our house, and my WHOLE kitchen, laundry area was infiltrated with gaZILLIONS of FLIES. FLIES EVERYWHERE! You couldn't walk through them, they were so thick. I had to spray the kitchen with bug spray, wait for their dead bodies to fall from the air (you could hear them thudding away), landing on the kitchen table, countertops, floor, appliances -- EVERYWHERE! It took two hours just to sweep them up. Then, of course I had to bleach every area of the kitchen -- IT WAS DISGUSTING.

Then, finally, I'm ready to rest for the evening, give my kids baths, watch a movie, when in walks my niece with her 1 year old and asks if I would mind watching her while she runs home and pulls some cucumbers out of her garden. Well, I said okay. 8 o'clock goes by, 8:30 goes by, 9, 9:30. No niece. She left me no diapers, no binky, no bottle. Little baby is SCREAMING HER HEAD OFF at me.

Finally, at 10 o'clock in walks niece and her hubby to get the baby. When they left, I asked my hubby how long they were outside with him before they came in -- CHECK THIS OUT -- He says, "Oh, Tami's been out with us in the shed READING A BOOK for the past hour and a half!"

Yes, that's right, while I was inside LOSING MY MIND, Princess T was sitting outside READING A BOOK, having a nice little leisure time!! I almost LOST my sanctification!

The devil was out to get me Saturday! Did I chew -- you betcha!

Now I gotta start all over again,

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), July 30, 2002.

Gail,

Your day was worse than Isabel's!!!

I tried picturing you in the laundry room with all those flies!!! How horrid!!

It's pretty hot here in New Jersey too....very hot...even the puppy doesn't want to go out doors....but when I can't complain..I am sitting in an air-conditioned room playing on a computer when our military is in full-uniform in Afghanistan in 115 degrees or higher fighting for our freedom to do just what I am doing now...and freedom of religion...I think of them and say thank you Lord.....who am I to complain.

You are a good story teller, Gail, and so funny. So, your niece sat reading a book and you are in the house with a screaming baby...some people are just unbelievable..

You are right about the evil one - he is attacking every where this week....we must fight back and rise above his tactics...hard sometime, isn't it?

When I hear the word chew, all I think of is the puppy - chewing, chewing and chewing some more....look forward to the teething days being over, but then she won't be a puppy anymore.... :(

Hope you and Isabel have a better day today!

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 30, 2002.

Gail,

Thanks for the hilarious story. LOL. That was such a hoot. Not that what happened to you was a hoot, but your gift of storytelling made it quite humorous. I would have definitely smoked if I had a day like you had, but I hung in there, as mine got no worse than what it started out, except for when I tried to jog......

That's right, I decided to start back into jogging. I thought, since I am quitting smoking, I may as well give myself a reason not to start back, after all how can you jog *and* smoke? I used to religiously jog 5-8 miles a day. Of course I have been on a ten year hiatus, but I thought 'I am only 31, it can't be that hard to get back into.' HA! I thought I would keel over after going a tenth of a mile. But I finished the mile, just barely, but I did. Of course, I picked one of the hottest days of the year to start jogging again..........

May St. Maximilian Kolbe clear my lungs and give me the gift of breathing when I am jogging. Amen.

Gail, MaryLu, we can do it. Day six, no cigarette. I just dream about them. Hardest part is.......we are going on vacation in 1 1/2 weeks. I rented a large cabin in the Smokey Mountains near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, with a hot tub and pool table. My sister, her husband, and my parents are going. So, I can see me now, sitting in the hot tub, playing pool, playing cards, drinking Jim Beam and coke and NOT having a cigarette. Why did I not wait three more weeks?

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 30, 2002.

Isabel,

You can do it, just hang in there on vacation. Remember, one day at a time, dont start worrying about tomorrow till it gets here. And with a smoke free 6 days already under your belt, you surely dont want to ruin that.

Gail, your a hoot!:) With the day you were having, I dont think anyone will hold it agianst you for having a little chew:)

God Bless you both. Peace

-- Choas (choas@ivillage.com), July 30, 2002.

Isabel:

Glad you made it! Stay away from the Jim Bean, though, all restraint goes out the window with that stuff!

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), July 30, 2002.

Isabel,

Like Choas said, don't worry about tomorrow until it gets here..

Congratulations!!!! Six days without a cigarette!!! What an accomplishment! (((Hugs))) for you!

Hang in there, you are doing great. You are my inspiration...

You will get through it on your vacation; that will be the real test..bring sugar-free lollipops and sugar-free gum with you..lots of them. Just think how good you will feel about yourself if you pass that big test! So many people have done it and you can too.

The competitive spirit in me now has a challenge - to stop smoking like you did :)

Enjoy your vacation! You deserve one! :)

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), July 30, 2002.

No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hecatombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves? Saint Maximilian Kolbe in the last issue of the Knight

Born 7 January 1894 at Zdunska Wola, Poland as Raymond Kolbe Died 14 August 1941 by lethal carbonic acid injection after three weeks of starvation and dehydration at Auschwitz; body burned in the ovens and ashes scattered Beatified 17 October 1971 by Pope Paul VI; his beatification miracles include the July 1948 cure of intestinal tuberculosis of Angela Testoni, and August 1950 cure of calcification of the arteries/sclerosis of Francis Ranier Canonized 10 October 1982 by Pope John Paul II; declared a martyr of charity Patronage drug addiction, drug addicts, families, imprisoned people, journalists, political prisoners, prisoners, pro-life movement

Peace

-- Choas (choas@ivillage.com), July 30, 2002.

Thanks Chaos, that was a GREAT post! Do help us, St. Maximillian Kolbe!

How are you doing Isabel?

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 02, 2002.

That was a beautiful post, wasn't it? I stared at that picture forever, and his quote is beautiful, as well.

Day nine, no cigarette, thanks for asking Gail. It gets easier and easier each day. Certain times of the day seem to be worse than others, too. How are you doing? Have you tried to cut back at all, or if not, have you set a date to start or anything? I always hear people say to set a date, but I didn't. I ran out of cigarettes one night, right before bed, the next morning I got up and thought how I needed to go and get cigarettes before work, but decided against it, and you know the rest.

How are you doing MaryLu? Still cutting back?

I will keep praying for you both. St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), August 02, 2002.

Dangit, Isabel... stop making sense.

Now I have to quit too. Can't you just lower the bar like everyone else? LOL.

Congrats.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 02, 2002.

Emerald,

LOL! You have quite the sense of humor. I must tell you a story of what I did last night, though.

I worked late trying to catch up before vacation, well, by the time I got home, I was really wanting a cigarette, but knew if I went and bought any, that would be all she wrote. I would smoke the whole pack. So I resisted.

Well, a friend of mine that smokes called. I was trying to be coy, and said, "I'm getting ready to watch a movie, you can come over and watch it, too, if you want." Knowing darn good and well that this person would bring cigarettes.

Well, St. Maximilian had other plans for me. He answered my prayers, all right. And he answered them, when I most wanted him to ignore them. You see, at that very moment, I was praying for a cigarette. But at that same 'very moment' he said, "OK, God, if you don't mind, it's time for us to answer her first prayers."

Oh, well. I am thankful now, though.

Have a good one. If you do decide to quit, though, definitely pray. Even though, at times, I have a hard time, it has been easier this time than other times I tried to quit without adopting a patron.

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), August 03, 2002.

Each new time I have tried to quit I have been more 'successful'. In particular, what I mean is that during withdrawal I experience less insanity than the previous attempt.

Quitting is great for business though. Step out into the field on Monday morning without a pack and start barking at everyone... watch productivity soar through the roof.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 03, 2002.

Hello, Miss Isabel

It has been a day short of a year when you started this thread on quiting smoking.

I hope that you where able to quit, but, if not there is always tommorow(please God).

Hope all s well with you, and your children.

God bless you, Miss Isabel, and may God bless your children.

-- - (.@.....), July 23, 2003.