FAITHLINK: Apostolic Letter on the Christian Meaning of Suffering – Saint Pope John Paul II

Saint Pope John Paul II file photo, adapted from image at archives.gov

… Within each form of suffering endured by man, and at the same time at the basis of the whole world of suffering, there inevitably arises the question: why? It is a question about the cause, the reason, and equally, about the purpose of suffering, and, in brief, a question about its meaning. Not only does it accompany human suffering, but it seems even to determine its human content, what makes suffering precisely human suffering. …