The great stigmatist St. Padre Pio used to say that he simply shares in the sufferings of Christ.
The Catholic view of human suffering is unique in Christianity. Suffering is more than a burden to be endured. In the Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris, Pope John Paul II taught that, "In the Cross of Christ not only is the Redemption accomplished through suffering, but also human suffering itself has been redeemed...each one is also called to share in that suffering through which the Redemption was accomplished."
Although Padre Pio was called to share in Jesus' suffering to an extraordinary degree, we are also called to join our pains to His. This is at the heart of the traditional practice of "offering up" whatever happens to us throughout the day, using as a prayer: "O Jesus, I offer this for the love of you, and in reparation of sin".
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