This worksheet deals with a number of issues and requires some understanding of concepts discussed. Often, students find it difficult to understand why suffering exists and we know that this is a cause of doubt for many. However, it clearly has a role to play in our role as members of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. Just as Christ’s suffering continues to be offered for the remission of sins and just as we participate in that suffering because of our inclusion in the Body of Christ, so too our suffering can have meaning. This handout seeks to provide an understanding of suffering as our way of participating in the continuing salvation of the world. It also links this concept with an understanding of images of Church and the theology of Fatima, which is approved by the Church. (Please click on the images of Church document for more information).
This is suitable for Upper School students, although not necessarily in the form presented here.
Note: For further information please read the article "Prayer and Suffering" by Fr John Hardon SJ. It is found in the Catholicism section of the Teachers for Life On-Line Web Page.
THE MISSION AND DIGNITY OF ALL THE BAPTISED: PARTICIPATING IN THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD
St Matthew
11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Colossians
24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.
25 I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.
FATIMA: A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH
Context: Mary said "If My requests are not granted, Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions against the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will suffer much and various nations will be annihilated."
As History has shown us, this is in fact, what occurred.
At Fatima, the Blessed Virgin Mary told the three child seers that many souls go to hell because they have no one to pray or make sacrifices for them. In her Memoirs, Sister Lucy describes the vision of hell and then quotes Mary's words:
"You saw hell where the souls of poor sinners go. In order to save them, God wishes to establish devotion to my Immaculate Heart in the world. If people do what I ask, many souls will be saved and there will be peace."
How the seers responded
| JACINTA After seeing the vision of hell, Jacinta decided to offer herself completely for the salvation of souls. Yet from her hospital bed, she declared cheerfully that her sickness was just a new opportunity to suffer for the conversion of sinners. Jacinta freely undertook sacrifices. As a sacrifice she offered her afternoon snacks to children even poorer than she. |
FRANCISCO Francisco continued to offer constant. "Only a little time remains to me before going to Heaven," he told Lucy one day. "There above, I am going to console Our Lord and Our Lady a great deal; Jacinta is going to pray a great deal for sinners, for the Holy Father and for you. You are going to stay here because Our Lady wishes it. Listen, do everything She tells you." Fransisco |
PRAYERS THAT THE CHILDREN WERE TAUGHT BY HEAVEN which express this understanding of their role as "mediators" to defeat the power of evil.
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You!
O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need.
O Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the most Blessed Sacrament!
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I offer You the most precious Body, Blood , Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the sacrileges, outrages and indifference by which He Himself is offended. And through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of you the conversion of poor sinners."
Questions to ask your students.
Q. How do the children see their role?
Q. Which image of Church were they following?
Q. What can you offer in your daily life to participate in Jesus' role as Saviour of the World?
Q. Why are "offerings" so powerful to help others in a mystical way?