Victim Souls

[VanWA]

I don’t believe one chooses to be a victim soul if they exist, one simply is by nature of their actions and living.
When I was a child, I always prayed for suffering in place of those I love so that they wouldn’t have to. It wasn’t an ego or martyr thing, I just knew early on that I was strong and felt I could handle more than others, so I tried to. Does that make me a victim soul? There’s certainly been enough pain and suffering to justify such a question, but who doesn’t suffer? “In this world, ye shall have trial and tribulation…”
I have no stigmata, have never had a vision or visitation, and actually have some serious issues with the whole of life and God, beginning with the question of evil. “Free will” as an answer doesn’t cut it for me at all, and while I accept that I’m not here for myself, I still would like SOME joy and peace in life before I die, but I have serious doubts about that ever happening.

 

[po18guy]

If you are a victim soul, that is usually something that is revealed to you. It is not something that you necessarily seek out, or plan to become. All of us in the human condition have a life of woes. Jesus told us so, and this is reason to rejoice that He has sacrificed His own flesh for our salvation. Yet, if you are a baptized Christian, you are part of Christ’s mystical body and so, may offer your suffering up to Him for eternal good - just as He offered Himself to the Father for our sake. Think of someone much worse off than yourself, and offer your suffering on their behalf. Many choose those who have various illnesses, or the holy souls suffering in purgatory. Just know that, the more you go outside of yourself, the more purpose there will be to your life, and the happier you will become.

 

[VanWA]

If you are a victim soul, that is usually something that is revealed to you. It is not something that you necessarily seek out, or plan to become. All of us in the human condition have a life of woes. Jesus told us so, and this is reason to rejoice that He has sacrificed His own flesh for our salvation. Yet, if you are a baptized Christian, you are part of Christ’s mystical body and so, may offer your suffering up to Him for eternal good - just as He offered Himself to the Father for our sake. Think of someone much worse off than yourself, and offer your suffering on their behalf. Many choose those who have various illnesses, or the holy souls suffering in purgatory. Just know that, the more you go outside of yourself, the more purpose there will be to your life, and the happier you will become.

I cannot agree with all of your statements, and I think you missed some other things, but thanks for your view.

 

[TrueLight]

I don’t believe one chooses to be a victim soul if they exist, one simply is by nature of their actions and living.
When I was a child, I always prayed for suffering in place of those I love so that they wouldn’t have to. It wasn’t an ego or martyr thing, I just knew early on that I was strong and felt I could handle more than others, so I tried to. Does that make me a victim soul? There’s certainly been enough pain and suffering to justify such a question, but who doesn’t suffer? “In this world, ye shall have trial and tribulation…”
I have no stigmata, have never had a vision or visitation, and actually have some serious issues with the whole of life and God, beginning with the question of evil. “Free will” as an answer doesn’t cut it for me at all, and while I accept that I’m not here for myself, I still would like SOME joy and peace in life before I die, but I have serious doubts about that ever happening.

Can you provide a definition of “victim soul?”

 

[VanWA]

Can you provide a definition of “victim soul?”

**Not on my own, no, I’m not sure they exist in this way, though my gut tells me they do. I know what I think it would entail, and it’s not some vow or getting sick and “offering” it up for sinners. I doubt one can just become one at some point by choice. You either are at birth or you are not. If you are, then your life reflects that without you even knowing it, and you can’t change it.

Aside from that, I’ve seen various descriptions of what others believe to be such souls, but I think they exist outside of a couple of saints and aren’t as simple as someone with stigmata, as the people I’ve read seem to believe.**

 

[TrueLight]

** I know what I think it would entail, and it’s not some vow or getting sick and “offering” it up for sinners. **

What do you think it would entail? I’m asking because it’s good to have a common definition that we can base our discussion on.

 

[VanWA]

What do you think it would entail? I’m asking because it’s good to have a common definition that we can base our discussion on.

I don’t know for sure, that’s why I’m here, but I can offer up a subjective view later…

 

[NeedsMercy]

VanWa, I don’t think we should put labels on what you are feeling. Just ask yourself if, in taking on the suffering of others (known or unknown, loved or not), you believe you are helping in their salvation. When you suffer, you are joining in the Passion of Christ. Years and years ago, when I was in school, the nuns always spoke of “offering it up”. It is only now that I am beginning to understand what they meant. Try reading the Diary of St. Faustina. If we believe in labels, then yes, she was a “victim soul”. She suffered very, very much in her life, both physically and spiritually, but her job was to promote the Lord’s Divine Mercy, which she did then, and still does in heaven. St. Faustina was constantly asking Jesus to let her suffer so that souls would obtain His Mercy. Jesus let her know that many were saved because of her prayers and offerings. As a result, her life was filled with joy because she fulfilled God’s divine will. Personally, I feel that joining your pain with that of Jesus to save souls is exceedingly virtuous, and is a result of a very special grace given to you from the Father. Listen to that interior voice.

 

[VanWA]

What do you think it would entail? I’m asking because it’s good to have a common definition that we can base our discussion on.

OK, assuming such souls exist, as I believe, then I would define them this way:

1. That way from birth, it’s not something you can choose at some point, though many seem to try. It’s also not something you get polled on before birth somehow, that’s just silly to me.
2. That awareness of the Holy Spirit and the related goodness of the soul’s actions don’t have to be conscious beyond wanting to stop the suffering of others by taking it somehow upon oneself. One doesn’t even have to know Christ, or know him well, to serve in this fashion, though quite frequently one knows from very early on, and it feels normal.
3. That many of them, if not most, are not exactly jumping for joy over it, but accept it as their life and are “happy” that it helps others in any way possible. While thankful that others are spared suffering and pain that they take on, it’s not cartwheels, sunny days and smiles. It takes it’s toll, esp. as the years gather in number. Plus, they are often denied the very things the world needs, them as parents or loved ones or popular role models. They usually work in silence.

How’s that for the bulk of it, at least?

 

[VanWA]

VanWa, I don’t think we should put labels on what you are feeling. Just ask yourself if, in taking on the suffering of others (known or unknown, loved or not), you believe you are helping in their salvation. When you suffer, you are joining in the Passion of Christ. Years and years ago, when I was in school, the nuns always spoke of “offering it up”. It is only now that I am beginning to understand what they meant. Try reading the Diary of St. Faustina. If we believe in labels, then yes, she was a “victim soul”. She suffered very, very much in her life, both physically and spiritually, but her job was to promote the Lord’s Divine Mercy, which she did then, and still does in heaven. St. Faustina was constantly asking Jesus to let her suffer so that souls would obtain His Mercy. Jesus let her know that many were saved because of her prayers and offerings. As a result, her life was filled with joy because she fulfilled God’s divine will. Personally, I feel that joining your pain with that of Jesus to save souls is exceedingly virtuous, and is a result of a very special grace given to you from the Father. Listen to that interior voice.

**
See below**.