For Those Who Are Suffering Physically, Emotionally or Mentally

"Do not yield to the temptation to regard pain as an experience which is only negative, to the point of doubting God’s goodness. In the suffering Christ every sick person finds the meaning of his or her afflictions. Suffering and illness belong to the human condition—we are fragile, limited creatures, marked by original sin from birth. In Christ, who died and rose again, however, humanity discovers a new dimension to its suffering: instead of a failure, it reveals itself to be the occasion for offering witness to faith and love."

"God is a rock, a fortress, a rock in which we find refuge, he is a shield and a stronghold. He is the power of salvation, who never disappoints the expectations of those who invoke him in moments of trial."

"In the school of those who suffer, may you understand through loving kindness the profound reasons for the mystery of suffering. May the pain you witness be the measure of the dedicated response expected of you. And in rendering this service to life, be open to the collaboration of all, because ‘the issue of life and its defense and promotion is not a concern of Christians alone. …Life certainly has a sacred and religious value, but in no way is that value a concern only of believers’ (Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, n.1010). And just as the suffering ask only for help, so accept everyone’s help when it is offered as a loving response."

"Dear people who are sick, be able to find in love the salvific meaning of your sorrow and valid answers to all of your questions. Yours is a mission of most lofty value for both the Church and society. You who are weighed down by suffering are in the front line of those beloved by God. Just as he looked on all those whom he met on the roads of Palestine, Jesus looks on you with eyes full of tenderness. His love will never fail."

‘Human suffering in fact can show forth the goodness of God: the wound can become a fountain of life (cf. Jn. 19:34). The experience of suffering discourages and depresses many people, but in the lives of others it can create a new depth of humanity: it can bring new strength and new insight. The path to understanding this mystery is our faith. When faith turns to prayerful contemplation, it reveals to us all the power of the Lord’s Easter victory: ‘death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor tears nor pain’ (Rv. 21:4).’

"The experience of suffering discourages and depresses many people, but in the lives of others it can create a new depth of humanity: it can bring new strength and new insight. The path to understanding this mystery is our faith. When faith turns to prayerful contemplation, it reveals to us all the power of the Lord’s Easter victory: ‘Death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor tears nor pain’ (Rev. 21:4)."

"To the sick of every age and condition, to the victims of every kind of infirmity, disaster and tragedy, I extend my invitation to throw themselves into God’s fatherly arms. We know that life is a gift given to us by the Father as a sublime expression of his love, and that it continues to be a gift from him in every circumstance."

"In the school of those who suffer, may you understand through loving kindness the profound reasons for the mystery of suffering. May the pain you witness be the measure of the dedicated response expected of you. And in rendering this service to life, be open to the collaboration of all, because ‘the issue of life and its defence and promotion is not a concern of Christians alone. …Life certainly has a sacred and religious value, but in no way is that value a concern only of believers’ (Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, n.1010). And just as the suffering ask only for help, so accept everyone’s help when it is offered as a loving response."

"Christ took all human suffering on himself, even mental illness. Yes, even this affliction, which perhaps seems the most absurd and incomprehensible, configures the sick person to Christ and gives him a share in his passion."

"The sick or suffering bear Christ’s cross. Each of them is a great prophet, a very great prophet who bears Christ’s cross with his strength, in his light."

"When Jesus died on the cross in his terrible passion, humiliated and abandoned, he showed to the whole world the full meaning and depth of such trials."

"Always look trustingly toward Jesus, the ‘Suffering Servant,’ asking him for the strength to transform the trial afflicting you into a gift. Listen with faith to his voice repeating to each of you: ‘Come to me, all who are weary and oppressed, and I will give you rest’ (Mt 11:28)."

"You, Lord, are everything to everyone, but especially to the suffering, because you suffered, you took up the cross, you died on the cross and you rose again."

"In meeting suffering humanity, believers know that they are meeting Christ himself, whose Holy Face is the face of those who bear the endless crosses imposed on them by injustice, violence and selfishness."