Books on Suffering?

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Hi everyone,

I have been trying to think of a subject that I can research and write about. Something I might be able to have something to say about.

Lately, the subject of suffering has been on my mind lately. I am extremely sensitive in many ways, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, so I have a low tolerance for pain and suffering. It doesn’t take much to get me overwhelmed. But in realizing this, I want to do things that either provide relief or consolation for others in their suffering. The suffering of others bothers me a great deal, especially when I don’t know what I can do to help someone who is suffering. I think a lot of people want to do something about suffering, both their own, and that of others. But really I want to be able to bring God into other people’s suffering. The most profound thing about suffering is that God became a man to suffer with us and for us, and who suffered and died that we might eventually end suffering from our sins. And also, His Mother suffered too.

But I wanted to ask for recommendations for books and writings about suffering. And also for prayers that I might be able to write something or do something that helps provide others relief and consolation in their suffering, especially intimacy with God that will help them through suffering.

I have many family members who endure great suffering, and I don’t know how they do it. I get overwhelmed from the smallest things. Please pray for me that I endure suffering better than I do now.

But any reading suggestions please?

Thank you all. God bless you. Amen.
 
Have you read the The Story of a Soul by
St Therese of Lisieux ?
 
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On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering - Saint Pope John Paul II. There is an anniversary edition with a forward by Myles N. Sheehan MD SJ that also has study group questions.

Salvifici Doloris - Saint Pope John Paul II. Salvifici Doloris (February 11, 1984) | John Paul II

Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering - Eleonore Stump … haven’t read this one but it is on my list. If you search YouTube, you’ll find some interesting lectures by the author.
 
Why must I Suffer. A book of Light and consolation.

By Father F.J. Remler

I gave a copy of this to a non Catholic friend that was about to loose a leg to diabetes. She absolutely loved it. Told me she read it countless times. It is now circulating around the convalescent home she was in. As a non Catholic but Christian, she was fascinated by our views on the Merit of Suffering.
 
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I’ve recommended these two books before.

I’ve personally found them to be very helpful.

The Kiss From the Cross: Saints for Every Kind of Suffering, by Ronda De Sola Chervin, 1994.

Arise from Darkness–What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense, by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, 1995.

They’re both available on different sites, including Amazon, if you just want to take a look at them there. I picked them up at my local Catholic bookstore.
 
This is a topic I have some familiarity with. I can point in two directions.

If you are emotional sensitive and need something uplifting, I would suggest Jeff Cavins. He has as a series “Amazing Grace for…” The books contain simply amazing and inspiring stories to let one know that they are not alone. They were not my cup of tea, but my wife said they were the best available source for those who needed comfort. In similar vein, you could read C.S. Lewis’ “A Grief Observed.”

I find more comfort in understanding myself. For this, I know of nothing better than Peter Kreeft’s “Making Sense Out of Suffering.” I am such a believer that I always keep an extra copy to give away at need. The book is a dialogue in which the reader is presented what we know of suffering from a multiple of perspectives to try an reach an understanding, even if it is just a type of detente with the suffering we face.

If I may, I would encourage everyone to study up on the topic. It is one inescapable part of life and we all face it. Yet when it hits, we seem surprised and unprepared. I cut up plywood and store it so that when a hurricane approaches I have the tools I need to meet the storm in the best possible condition. Same thing. The Kreeft book is my plywood.
 
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The saints have repeatedly stated that if we only knew what benefit suffering is to us, we would welcome it very gladly! That’s a notion that turns this world on end, isn’t it? St. Therese stated that “only suffering saves souls.” She suffered quite a bit from emotional anguish and sensitivity, and of course she suffered in her final severe illness.
I am nowhere near being able to accept suffering with open arms–I suspect this is a special grace given to us. I pray for it.
 
Connected to the topic of suffering, you may want yo read Victor Frankel’s “Man’s Search for Meaning.”
 
Thank you all for the suggestions. Some of them I have read already. Others I am either buying or borrowing from the library. I will reply again to this thread to let you know what I thihk of suggestions after I read them.
 
I would definitely recommend looking into the writings of Dom Hubert van Zeller. He was a Benedictine abbot who was afflicted with illness for most of his life and wrote prolifically on suffering. His “Approach to Penance” changed my view of what it means to be in pain and to suffer, but I know that he wrote many more in-depth works specifically on suffering.
 
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