In the mystery of human existence, suffering stands as one of the most profound and universal experiences. None of us can or will escape it in our lifetimes. For Catholics, however, suffering is never meaningless, nor should it be cause for despair, because it finds its meaning in the cross. When we unite our suffering to the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly embraced his own profound suffering for our redemption, our own trials become a participation in his salvific work. Through the lens of faith, our suffering is an invitation to a deeper communion with God. This concept is what we refer to as redemptive suffering. (You can find more about redemptive suffering on my website.)