Suffering and Dying in the Lord
by Fr. Paul Oggioni, S.C.

This message was sent to me by Therese Faustina, a young lady suffering from mitochondria for the last ten years. This condition known as childhood cancer, affects the cells' ability to produce life's sustaining energy. "Thank you so much for your gift. I will continue to promote the Pious Union of St. Joseph until my last breath. After that I will really be able to assist you the way I wish." The simple but mature faith of this woman, expresses the spirit surrounding the ministry of the Pious Union of St. Joseph for the Suffering and Dying.

There is a compelling question many are asking during these confusing days "What is life? Is it worthwhile continuing a life burdened by pain and suffering?"

Out of the many and often contradicting answers, the spiritual and ethical vision of the Christian experience offers two simple expressions: Life is a gift; life is a mission.

"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." (Jn. 3:16) Jesus has become the visible sign of the love of the Father who wants all of us saved through the sacrifice of Christ. THe Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus, will assist and guide us in our journey to the Father. With the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit we form the "Communion of Saints." This is the Church, which developed a prayer of offering and intercessions for all who need God's mercy. From all churches on earth there are daily prayers to God for our brothers and sisters in need. The Christian Community assigns to the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph a privileged place in the plan of salvation for their fidelity, humility and implementation in this plan.

St. Joseph was chosen to protect the Mother of Jesus and foster the human growth of the Son of God from His birth. The Christian tradition also considers Joseph dying, assisted by the love and prayers of Jesus and Mary. For this reason St. Joseph is considered and invoked as the protector of life from its beginning to its natural end.

In this sense the ministry of the Pious Union of St. Joseph operates as a commitment to spread the message of Christ who is the Lord of Life. We welcome all who are suffering in mind and body and offer guidance and spiritual support. We share their suffering and make them feel part of our prayer community, and actively participate in their witness of faith. Their experience of faith during their illness and death becomes a living Gospel for all who do not believe or understand that life is a gift to be lived fully and faithfully.

A friend grieving for the death of her husband wrote me: "Father, for many years my husband has been away from the Church. I trusted in the Lord and invoked the assistance of St. Joseph every day. The day before his death, my husband reconciled himself with the Lord, received the Sacraments and died in peace. Thank you, St. Joseph."