Near death is often a time of great suffering, physically and emotionally. But see how the saints see suffering. The capacity to understand and embrace suffering separates us from the beasts. Suffering helps us atone for our sins. Don’t waste it!.
ST. GEMMA GALGANI: "If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love."
ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: “If God gives you an abundant harvest of trials, it is a sign of great holiness which He desires you to attain. Do you want to become a great saint? Ask God to send you many sufferings. The flame of Divine Love never rises higher than when fed with the wood of the Cross, which the infinite charity of the Savior used to finish His sacrifice. All the pleasures of the world are nothing compared with the sweetness found in the gall and vinegar offered to Jesus Christ. That is, hard and painful things endured for Jesus Christ and with Jesus Christ.”
BLESSED SEBASTIAN VALFRE: “'When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.” Let us willingly embrace suffering offering it to save souls from hell.
POPE ST. GREGORY the GREAT: “The more the wicked abound, so much the more must we suffer with them in patience; for on the threshing floor few are the grains carried into the barns, but high are the piles of chaff burned with fire.” Remember the love for sinners little Jacinta of Fatima had and save those in danger of hell uniting your suffering to Christ’s.
ST. ROSE of LIMA: Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: "Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven."
ST. TERESA of AVILA: “Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end . . . and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.” Many souls can reduce the length of their stay in Purgatory by accepting suffering here.