Your Suffering will Lead to Joy

Your suffering is not in vain, my friend. Saint Padre Pio, the famous stigmatist who bore the five bleeding wounds of Christ for fifty years, says to you:

"I know that you are suffering more spiritually than physically, that the latter is a reflection of the former, your moral suffering. I know that your physical suffering is caused by your moral suffering. I know, and out of holy love, I am pleased that your spirit is on Calvary, nailed to the Cross of Jesus amidst the darkness and suffering. But do not fear. After having been nailed to the Cross with Jesus, and after having descended from the Cross, you will see the unfailing Light, and from Calvary you will go on to joy.

"Meanwhile," continues St. Padre Pio to you, "always pronounce the fiat [the yes] of trusting resignation, and take advantage of this period of divine testing for your greater sanctification and the salvation of souls, for whom Abraham immolated himself. Therefore, don't forget the reassurances of he who speaks to you in the name of God. Believe and hope. With faith and hope you will arm yourself in order to sustain the struggle in which the Heavenly Father's goodness has involved you. With faith and hope, you will not be without the sweet nectar of love which unites you more and more to the Supreme Good." (Letters 3, page327)

God bless you richly, my friend!