“Nothing is small that comes from the hand of God. If He sends us affliction or suffering, we should accept it with gratitude; for whatever He permits to happen to us is always for our salvation.” -“The Imitation of Christ”, Book 2, Chapter 10
I recently came across the name of a saint in an article I was reading. The saint was not the main topic of the article, but one among many. I found myself engrossed as I read a brief summary on her short life and the suffering she endured throughout her whole life. This saint is one I had never heard of before. As I read about her life story from a number of resources, I completely lost my heart to her. In her, I found the true meaning of ‘Passion for Christ’ and the love of suffering for His sake. In short time, I got down on my knees and humbly asked if she would allow herself to be my patron saint. I felt a great surrender on my part followed by an emotional outburst that I really cannot explain. She had said yes.
St. Gemma Galgani (1878-1903), ‘The Gem of Christ’, has allowed me to live through some trying times personally and professionally, including major surgery on one eye (with the other one to follow shortly).
In reading about how St. Gemma ‘lived’ through her suffering by placing her complete faith in Christ, she set the example for me to follow. When I say ‘lived’, I do not mean ‘survived’. I mean lived, as in living through one’s life with passion, faith, trust, peace and love, for and through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The following two quotes seem to me to be a foundation for St. Gemma’s approach to ‘living’ through the suffering she experienced in her life.
“It is true Jesus, if I think of what I have gone through as a child and now as a grown up girl I see that I have always had crosses to bear; But oh! how wrong are those who say that suffering is a misfortune!” -St Gemma Galgani
“It is not enough for us to wear a cross. We must bear it in our hearts.” -St Gemma Galgani
In her short life, St. Gemma used her suffering as a difficult road to Christ. She fully accepted her suffering and by experiencing her suffering, she suffered with Christ in His Passion. By understanding The Lord’s Passion coupled with her willingness to live through it via her own suffering, she was able to approach closer to the Lord.
At no time am I saying that ‘living’ your suffering will result in a miraculous cure (though it may). At no time am I saying that ‘living’ through your suffering you will experience less suffering (though again this may happen). What I am saying is that ‘living’ through your suffering with Christ, will bring you closer to Christ. What a most rewarding way to ‘live’ through your suffering than to ‘live’ it through Christ and his Passion.
Having the Lord share his Passion with you, you become one with the Lord in his suffering. Just the thought of being able to touch his holy suffering, his glorified Passion, his gift to us of his very own suffering….I feel humbled and yet so very close to the Lord Jesus Christ my God.
“Among these Divine favors [that Gemma received] was the very special one of manifesting in her virginal flesh the living image of Christ and mysteriously sharing in the various sufferings of His passion.” -Pope Pius XII [From Pope Pius XII Decretal Letter “Sanctitudinis Culmen” (“The high point of sanctity”) given for Gemma’s canonisation]
If you are interested in learning more about St. Gemma, go to the St. Gemma Galgani webiste.
Copyright 2015, Luciano Corbo
Luciano Corbo
Luciano Corbo holds a Master of Arts - Integrated Studies from Athabasca University. His major interests are Culture, Work, Organizations and Leadership, within a context of Catholic Social Teaching Principles. He writes from Canada.
2 responses to “Living through your Suffering”
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Thank you for this post; there’s been a bit of suffering going on in my house, and this helps.peace,
Deanna:
Thank you for your comments.
I too have asked St. Gemma to intercede for me and pray for me. She has always been there for me. I constantly learn from her life and will continue to look to her as an example of Passion for Christ.
God Bless Luciano