Redemptive Suffering

  What is the Catholic teaching on suffering?  from Wekepoedia

The Catholic Church sees human suffering as a chance to follow the example of Christ and believe that it is a part of God's plan. The document aims to reconcile suffering and pain with the belief in a loving God. Those who suffer here on Earth are united in that suffering with Christ, who died on the cross.

Redemptive suffering is the Christian belief that human suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with the Passion of Jesus, can remit the just punishment for one's sins or for the sins of another, or for the other physical or spiritual needs of oneself or another.

Cardinal Pell in an address he gave at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo, California said he offered up his suffering in prison.  He thought of Christ's suffering and united himself to Him.

I also just got off the phone with a friend who is in great mental and emotional anguish.  She also is offering her pain as redemptive suffering.  So the pain can be physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Anyone can offer their pain up.  Don't waste your suffering.  Think of the suffering of Jesus and unite yourself to Him.