Saint Padre Pio on the Value of Suffering

Padre Pio was a man of immense spiritual gifts and insight. As a Capuchin priest, his ministry was marked by prayer and piety. His suffering was constant. He bore the stigmata of Our Lord’s Crucifixion with their attending agony, and was beset by demonic manifestations. His observations below teach us that our suffering is of immense value when joined with Our Savior's sacrifice and born with humility.

The greater your sufferings, the greater God’s love for you.

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When we suffer, Jesus is closer to us.

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The storms that are raging around you will turn out to be for God’s glory, your own merit, and the good of many souls.

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Every sacrifice which your soul makes, every good it does is directed to God for the sanctification of all.

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True and substantial devotion consists in serving God without experiencing any sensible consolation. This means serving and loving God for His own sake.

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How unbearable is pain when suffered far from the Cross, but how sweet and bearable it becomes when it is offered close to the Cross of Jesus!

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If we earnestly endeavor to love Jesus, this alone will drive all fear from our hearts and soul will find that instead of walking in the Lord’s paths, it is flying.

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Don’t be daunted by the cross. The surest test of love consists in suffering for the loved one, and if God suffered so much for love, the pain we suffer for Him becomes as lovable as love itself.

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He wants you entirely for Himself, He wants you to place all your trust and all your affection in Him alone and it is precisely for this reason that He send you this spiritual aridity, to unite you more closely to Him.

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Jesus is with you even when you don’t feel His presence. He is never so close to you as He is during your spiritual battles. He is always there, close to you, encouraging you to fight your battle courageously. He is there to ward off the enemy’s blows so that you may not be hurt.

St. Pio, you shared in the cross of Christ, help us do the same in humility.