Posted on 12/03/2009 11:20:44 AM PST by markomalley
Benedict XVI has announced that the World Day of the Sick will be celebrated this liturgical year on February 11, the 25th anniversary of the institution of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers. The Pontiff drew attention to the essential nature of pastoral service for the sick and asked those who are ill "to pray and offer up their sufferings for priests" in this Year of the Priest.
For February 11, the Pope said, the Church would like to "raise awareness in the ecclesial community of the importance of pastoral service in the vast world of health..." It's a service, that plays an integral part in healthcare's mission following "the same saving mission of Christ."
"Through the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection, human suffering obtains sense and fullness of light."
Benedict quoted the words of his predecessor to "illuminate" this mystery. John Paul II wrote that in Christ's death, human suffering reached it's culmination and also entered into a new dimension of love, obtained through suffering.
"The Cross of Christ became a spring, from which gush rivers of living water."
The Pontiff also highlighted the necessity for a "logic of love" practiced with the little ones and the needy as witnessed in Christ's washing of the apostles' feet and called for every Christian to relive the parable of the Good Samaritan.
"Go and do the same," says Jesus at the end of the parable.
"With these words he turns also to us," indicated the Pope. He calls us to see that "the experience of sickness and suffering can become a lesson of hope."
It's not "resting from the suffering or running from the pain that cures man, but it is his capacity to accept tribulation and to mature in it, to find sense through the union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love."
Pope Benedict called particular attention to the institutions that provide humanitarian and spiritual healing to the sick and suffering, saying there has never been more need for them in the world. He recognized the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers specifically. The council will celebrate its 25th anniversary of service this coming year.
The Holy Father concluded with a message directed to priests and the sick. To the priests, as "ministers of the sick," he said, "not to hold back in giving care and comfort to the sick." To the sick, he implored, "I ask you to pray and offer your sufferings for priests, that they may remain faithful to their vocations and that their ministry be rich in spiritual fruits, to the benefit of the entire church."
Also, you may wish to read Pope John Paul II's 1984 Apostolic Letter, Salvifici Doloris
that guy who wrote angels and demons and that other movie (already forgotten) will have a blast with this.
That guy has a sewer for a mind.
I decided to post privately since I am not Catholic (although I am Catholic friendly) :)
Is this common (someone offering their suffering for the benefit of others) in modern Catholicism?
My historical studies are on Medieval Female Mystics, and offering suffering for others (especially those in purgatory) was common (Alice of Shaerbeek, “the leper saint”, comes to mind), but I haven’t heard much of this in recent years.
Just wondering.
Guess what? You hit the wrong reply button. LOL.
In answer to your question, it is not nearly as commonly done in these days as it used to be (or, for that matter, should be). We should offer up all of our pain, suffering, anguish, frustrations, anger, upset, etc., for the salvation of souls. You should read the document I linked to in my original comment -- it goes through the doctrinal basis for this in a very comprehensive fashion.
It is taught in more conservative, traditionalist circles. But, unfortunately, there are far too few of us and far too many liberal, politically correct, feel good circles around. Hopefully, those of us who are more traditional can act as a leaven for the rest of them and help restore the practice.
LOL. I am SO sorry. That is what I get for trying to FReep and talk to my mother at the same time.
I will read the link. I have always felt more comfortable around the “traditional” Catholics.
No stress. I put the "caucus" label on to keep the usual suspects at bay. I never mind respectfully asked questions at all.
“Is this common (someone offering their suffering for the benefit of others) in modern Catholicism?”
Sure. The suffering offered is joined to the Cross of Christ in humility since no one has before or after suffered as greatly as Christ.
Some offer their suffering and mortifications for the conversion of sinners and the world. Others offer suffering for the Consecrated, or for their family or whomever they are inspired by God to pray.
Fasting is another mortification and very good when linked to prayers. Many people fast, pray, offer suffering and mortification and do so privately so that you never can tell.
Offering suffering and pray often makes intense pain and sorrow bearable.
It’s also called following Christ into the desert. If He askes you to follow, you do. Just ask for the Grace to do it.
I’m in a Novus Ordo parish but it has perpetual Adoration.
I think that might be the difference from the liberati.
Thank you for you input.
As I told Mark, I am familiar with the practice in the Middle Ages but hadn’t heard much about it in the modern era, especially since Vatican II.
I remember the older nuns discussing mortification when I was in Catholic school, but the younger ones didn’t see it as “necessary”.
On the Advantages of Tribulations by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Why Be Catholic? 3: Suffering [Ecumenical]
"Love Really Can Make Suffering Bearable": Woman with Spina Bifida
Experts at Euthanasia Symposium Stress Unity, Strategy, and the Triumph of Love over Suffering
Holy Father prays for peace and unity, encourages the suffering to trust in God
Joy-Filled Suffering, Laetare Sunday
Children 'Suffering >From Lack Of Two-Parent Family', Study Finds
Pope Says Euthanasia 'False Solution' to Suffering, Alludes to Comatose Woman's Fate
Excerpts from THE FRUITS OF HIS LOVE - The Value Of Suffering - Mother M. Angelica
Why Not You? (on suffering)
Vicar takes down crucifixion sculpture 'because it's a scary depiction of suffering'
The Value of Suffering in the Life of Christian Perfection
IN BRUSH WITH DEATH, PRIEST SHOWN HELL, PURGATORY, DEGREES OF SUFFERING
Prayers to Saint Agatha [For Those Suffering from Breast Cancer]
REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING(Catholic Caucus or by Invitation Only)
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