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Courses Reconquest > Why must we suffer? > Module 1

Module presentation 1 - The Drama of the Cross

Ever since God expelled Adam and Eve from Paradise, humanity has faced a profound reality that not even the greatest advances of science have been able to fully understand or resolve: the reality of suffering—the drama of the Cross. Many believe that a life free from suffering, filled only with pleasure and ease, is the ideal to pursue. Others question how God can permit pain and tragedy. What, then, is the true perspective? What does the Church teach about this crucial mystery?

This is what you will discover as the course unfolds. Its insights will lead you to understand that suffering is not merely something to be avoided—or eliminated, if that were possible—but something to be valued for its profound benefits and its indispensable role in our earthly journey and eternal destiny.

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Module lessons

Bibliographic references

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Module lessons 1

1. Suffering: a punishment or a mercy?

With the damaging impact of original sin, the human soul acquired a need for suffering as a means to remedy and restore equilibrium to our fallen nature. Pain, whether moral or physical, can virtually be considered an “eighth Sacrament.” It opens our souls, freeing us from our inward bent and allowing us to turn to our Creator in whom we find true and eternal happiness.  

2. Humanity’s view of suffering throughout History – I

In ancient times, pain was regarded as a sign of curse and chastisement. But with the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it became a sign of blessing and a means of salvation.  

3. Humanity’s view of suffering throughout History - II

In our day, we can say with St. Louis Grignion de Montfort that Christians are presented with two divergent paths: that of Jesus Christ and that of the world. To the right, we find Our Lord Jesus Christ carrying His Cross on the way to Calvary. Few follow that path… To the left, we find the faction of the world or the devil. Crowds follow their path because the way is broad and easy, full of pleasures and amusements, paved with gold and silver. I stand before these two paths... Which one will I take?  

4. A Stairway to Paradise

There is only one way to achieve holiness: by embracing the Cross of our Redeemer and allowing ourselves to be crucified on it. Besides remedying the effects of sin, the Cross likens us to Christ our Model. God values a patient suffering more than countless works we could do for His glory. Our sufferings can accomplish much, their spiritual merit even saving souls!   

5. By the Cross, we reach the Light

Our divine Saviour declared, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mk 8:34). Thus, to be His true disciples and encounter the strength we need to fulfil our duty towards God, it is essential to take the Way of the Cross. The Cross of Christ is the hope of the hopeless, our guiding star on life’s journey, the relief of the sick and the glory of martyrs.    

Bibliographic References

ALPHONSUS MARIA DE LIGUORI, Saint. The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. Aeterna Press, 2015.

______. If You Wish to Follow Me. Seville: Apostolado Mariano, [n.d.]. Digital edition.

AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, Saint. Confessions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.

______. Expositions on the Psalms. New York: New City Press, 2003.

ARRONIZ, Prudencio López. The Intimate…! Madrid: Editorial El Perpetuo Socorro, 1962.

BORDONOVE, Georges. The Crusades and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Paris: Pygmalion, 2002.

BOULENGER, Auguste. Catholic Doctrine. Clovis, 2020.

BRENTANO, Clemens. The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich. Gastonia, NC: TAN Books, 2004.

BUTLER, Alban. The Lives of the Saints: Complete Edition. Totowa, NJ: Catholic Way Publishing, 2015.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 2nd ed. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2000.

CLÁ DIAS, João Scognamiglio, E.P. New Insights on the Gospels. Vatican City/Nobleton: LEV; Heralds of the Gospel, 2014.

CORRÊA DE OLIVEIRA, Plinio. Fleeing from Suffering. São Paulo, Nov. 24, 1983. Conference.

______. The Notion of Suffering Has Changed. São Paulo, Apr. 11, 1981. Conference.

______. The Peace of Suffering. São Paulo, Dec. 30, 1968. Conference.

______. Commentaries on the Letter to the Friends of the Cross. São Paulo, July 8, 1967. Speech.

______. St. Thomas and Suffering. São Paulo, May 16, 1964. Conference.

______. Conference. São Paulo, Feb. 19, 1965.

______. Conference. São Paulo, May 20, 1967.

______. Conference. São Paulo, June 30, 1967.

______. Conference. São Paulo, Jan. 21, 1970.

______. Conference. São Paulo, Oct. 30, 1974.

______. Conference. São Paulo, Aug. 14, 1988.

______. Conference. São Paulo, May 20, 1990.

______. Conference. São Paulo, Dec. 19, 1990.

______. Conference. São Paulo, Apr. 30, 1995.

CORTI, Mário. Living in Grace. São Paulo: Paulinas, 1957.

CRISTINI, Thiago Maria. Meditations and Readings for Every Day of the Year, Selected from the Spiritual Writings of St. Alphonsus. Queensland: Talbot Press, 1923.

FRANCIS DE SALES, Saint. Suffering. Paris: Palmé, 1876.

______. Treatise on the Love of God. Gastonia, NC: TAN Books, 1998.

HUPPERTS, J. Maria. Foundations and Practice of Marian Life. Louvain: Secretariado María Mediadora, 1954.

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, Saint. The Epistles of St. Clement of Rome and St. Ignatius of Antioch. New York: Paulist Press, 1944.

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, Saint. Homilies on the Epistles of St. Paul to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. London: J. H. Parker, 1843.

______. Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew. Frankfurt: Outlook Verlag, 2024.

JOHN OF THE CROSS, Saint. Ascent of Mount Carmel. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2002.

LOUIS DE MONTFORT, Saint. A Letter to the Friends of the Cross. Totowa, NJ: Catholic Way Publishing, 2004.

NEW DICTIONARY OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

SÁNCHEZ-ANGUIANO, Mariano. Yes! To Christ… Madrid: Editorial El Perpetuo Socorro, 1963.

SENECA. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010.

TAHAN, Malba. Legends of Heaven and Earth. São Paulo: Borgoi, 1939.

THERESA OF LISIEUX, Saint. The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Gastonia, NC: TAN Books, 2010.

THOMAS À KEMPIS. The Imitation of Christ. New York: Cosimo, 2007.

VARAGINE, Jacobus de. The Golden Legend: Lives of the Saints. London: Penguin Classics, 1998.

See also

Spirituality

A Spiritual Retreat
Mariology

The Universal Mediation of Mary
Spirituality

The Secret to Dying Well
History

Understanding Old Testament History
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