A victim soul is a person whose immense physical sufferings are united in a special way to Christ’s own sufferings on the cross and are therefore a source of grace for others. The concept of a Christian’s vicarious suffering for the sake of others is based in part on Scripture, particularly this statement by the apostle Paul:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church (Col. 1:24).
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