Following the feast of the exaltation of the Cross, the Catholic liturgy presents us with the tangible example of a man who lived intensely Jesus’ summons of authentic discipleship: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
The person I am referring to, whose liturgical feast is precisely today, is my beloved confrere in the Franciscan Capuchin Order, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
According to the Markan text, Jesus directed this pivotal teaching to “the multitude with his disciples” (Mark 8:34). As if to say that the bearing of one’s cross is essential in being with Jesus. This has also been the constant journey of Saint Pio. The epicentre of his life and apostolic work was his untiring contemplation and embracing the Cross of his Lord Jesus Christ. For Padre Pio the Cross was an infinite book of loving wisdom. In the Cross, the humble Capuchin came to realize the extent of Jesus’ agonizing plea for the salvation of souls: “I thirst” (John 19:28). Totally inflamed by that ardent love for Jesus Christ, Padre Pio was able to offer himself as a sacrifice of love for the world’s salvation, thus becoming, in the words of Cardinal Josè Saraiva Martins, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, “one with Christ, one with sinners”.
It is natural that we tend to rebel when facing our cross. However, Padre Pio teaches us how to embrace this sign of our and others’ redemption in a profitable way. The Padre knew perfectly well that his destiny was to configure his life on the Crucified Christ. In his letter of June 1913 to his spiritual director, Padre Benedetto, the stigmatised friar wrote: “The Lord shows me, as in a mirror, that my whole future will be nothing but martyrdom.” His entire life, completely patterned on that of his Lord, was a continual martyrdom of reparation for souls.
Even though, when speaking about himself, he plainly admitted “I am a mystery to myself”, he never wavered from lovingly taking up the Cross. The simple friar greatly rejoiced in the depths of his soul that he was given the mission to cooperate in the salvation of souls by means of suffering. As a result, he was willing and joyfully received from the Lord the suffering of both his body and soul “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45).
Deeply imbued by God’s sanctifying grace, Padre Pio can easily be qualified as a valid teacher in the school of suffering, “scientia doloris” (the science of suffering). From his holy life we can find practical insights that might help us in carrying our cross joyfully as he did. For Padre Pio, suffering purifies the soul in order to be sanctified. He taught that “the grain of wheat does not bear fruit unless it is deposited and germinates; likewise souls need the trial of suffering in order to emerge from it purified”.
In the painful experience of suffering Jesus never abandons us but always accompanies us and guides our journey by his infinite consoling strength. Padre Pio wrote: “Jesus is always with you, even when it seems to you that you cannot feel his presence. He is never so close to you as in spiritual struggles. He is always there, close to you, encouraging you to fight the good fight; he is there to ward off the enemies’ blows so that they do not harm you.”
Finally, suffering is the expression of pure love for God and fellow men and women. It means saying with one’s heart, soul and body: “I always do what is pleasing to him” (John 8:29). Padre Pio explained this transforming dynamic of pure love in action to a spiritual daughter. “Daughter, know that I am stretched out on my bed of pain, I have ascended to the altar of burnt offerings and await the fire from on high so that the victim may soon be consumed. When you pray, make the urgent request that the devouring flames come swiftly”.
Am I ready to love others by suffering for their spiritual well being?
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
SAN GWANN