By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ARCHDIOCESE — At one time or another, all of us have questioned the meaning of suffering as we’ve faced the struggles that are the reality of our human condition. In his new book, John Paul II and the Meaning of Suffering: Lessons from a Spiritual Master (published by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.), Robert Schroeder offers insights and reflections on the meaning of suffering.

The question of suffering is one that Schroeder, who holds a master’s degree in theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn., has struggled with himself through the years. As a child, he witnessed his father’s battle with cancer. As an adult, he faced an illness that incapacitated him for 10 months and, along with his wife, Sarah, grieved the loss of two children to miscarriages.

In the wake of these personal tragedies, Schroeder said, "I really went into a downward spiral of sorrow, anger and confusion. I found myself asking questions like ‘Why does God allow me to suffer, and does my pain serve any purpose in God’s plan?’ My own quest for the meaning of suffering really became a necessary chapter in my journey. Since my faith has always been a central source of meaning in my life, I turned to it for answers."

On his quest, Schroeder explored numerous spiritual resources but couldn’t find anything that addressed his questions in a meaningful way. Then, he stumbled across Pope John Paul II’s 1984 apostolic letter On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering. "The document really spoke to me," Schroeder explained. "The pope really speaks in a very compassionate way to those who are suffering and searching for meaning. He takes great care to present the church’s teachings on suffering in a way that brings hope to those looking for answers. One of the things that becomes clear right away is the pope’s positive response to suffering and the affirmation that you really can find meaning in it."

As he read the document, found answers to his own questions and began sharing insights with family and friends, Schroeder thought it would be beneficial to present the late pontiff’s teachings in a format accessible to the layperson. The result was John Paul II and the Meaning of Suffering. Schroeder wrote the book in a conversational, easy-to-read style, drawing on experiences of suffering within his own life and the lives of friends and acquaintances. The book explores six lessons readers can reflect on and apply to address the mystery of suffering, while incorporating quotes from Scripture, the wisdom of Pope John II and insights from other writers.

"I hope readers take to heart the pope’s message of hope in this book that suffering really does have meaning and purpose. The book offers a number of key points that I hope helps facilitate this for readers," Schroeder said.

He found a great deal of consolation in the research and writing process. "I think as I became the pope’s student, I found insights into the questions that had developed for me. It helped move me in a direction of healing and hope and away from my abyss of despair. I’m still aware that suffering is a mystery. It doesn’t vanish, but it does bring consolation when we can ascribe some meaning to it. If we can filter it through the lens of the Gospel, then we can find hope."

To order John Paul II and the Meaning of Suffering, visit www.osv.com or www.amazon.com.