Suffering

[Ave_Maria_55]

**
What does it mean to offer up your suffering, and to unite it with Christ’s suffering on the Cross? How do we do it? When we suffer emotionally, or have spiritual dryness, experiencing the dark night of the soul, can that too, be considered a form of suffering?
Do we feel comforted and at peace after we offer it? Can I offer for a person, who I may think strayed from the Catholic religion, but not sure? It’s just that some people may call me a “religious fanatic”, and may criticize my attitude on faith. What words do you say when you offer up a suffering? Thank you with Blessings…Ave Maria 55

 

[RosaryFan]

**
What does it mean to offer up your suffering, and to unite it with Christ’s suffering on the Cross? How do we do it? When we suffer emotionally, or have spiritual dryness, experiencing the dark night of the soul, can that too, be considered a form of suffering?
Do we feel comforted and at peace after we offer it? Can I offer for a person, who I may think strayed from the Catholic religion, but not sure? It’s just that some people may call me a “religious fanatic”, and may criticize my attitude on faith. What words do you say when you offer up a suffering? Thank you with Blessings…Ave Maria 55

Offering up your suffering and uniting it with Christ’s suffering is humbly accepting what Christ has given you as your cross in life. It is agreeing to accept suffering as a share in His suffering for the salvation of souls, either your own or someone else’s (“You must take up your cross and follow me, says the Lord”). You can absolutely offer your suffering for someone who has strayed. The Morning Offering even says, “…for the salvation of souls, reparation for sins, and the reunion of all Christians…”

If you want to know what words to use, say the Morning Offering prayer:
*O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your sacred heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the apostles of prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. *

Do we feel more comforted and at peace? If you believe and understand what you are doing, I would say yes. Personally, I still feel the pain and suffering, but I know it is not going to waste - it’s being used for a greater good.

Padre Pio once said, “Suffering is a gift from God. Blessed is he who knows how to profit by it.”

I hope that was helpful.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Read Pope John Paul II’s Bible study on redemptive suffering, Salvifici Doloris.

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris_en.html

Jim Dandy