On 19 March 2022, Magistral Chaplain Fr James McCarthy guided Members and Friends in an online Lenten reflection upon the importance of suffering in the mission of Christ and the Order of Malta.

Here are some key points captured by Confrère Joseph Grogan who is the MC for this series of reflections:

Fr James referred to St Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, “Salvifici Doloris – On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering” . This Papal insight helps us to balance the needs and tensions between alleviating or eliminating suffering and uniting sufferings in compassion with Christ.  

 The Paschal Mysteries invite meditation upon the cathartic and redemptive dimensions of suffering. Through our Order’s Mission, we are dedicated to reaching out, accompanying and serving Our Lords the Sick and Poor.

It is important to remember the deep Paschal truth at the heart of all suffering, that every pain and suffering is a touch of Lent leading to a touch of Easter. 

Our humanitarian interventions are spiritually enriched if rooted in our relationship with Christ’s loving compassion, prayer, and aid.  The Order of Malta’s annual Lourdes Pilgrimage offers a profound experience of this blessing.

In our own suffering, we should also seek to share Christ’s suffering as did Simon of Cyrene in carrying His Cross.

Fr Gerald O’Collins, Emeritus Principal Chaplain of the Subpriory of the Immaculate Conception will lead the next Hour of Reflection on Holy Saturday 16 April 2022. The topic aptly titled: “What Holy Saturday Means”.