Watch now: Episode 6 of my reading course on JP2's letter on the Christian meaning of suffering

In this latest episode of my reading course on Salvifici doloris, Pope St. John Paul II's apostolic letter on the Christian meaning of human suffering, I look at John Paul's reflections on the Book of Job. The sections of the letter that this video covers are nos. 9, 10, and part of 11.

My goal is to post five episodes a week, adding each of them to the "Reading Pope John Paul II's Salvifici Doloris" playlist.

What did JP2 teach on suffering in times of pandemic? The answer's in Episode 5 of my reading course on Salvifici doloris

In Episode 5 of my online reading course on Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Salvifici doloris, above, I discuss section 8, where the pope reflects upon times of extraordinary suffering—including times of pandemic.

My intention is to post five episodes a week, preferably each weekday. That's been a challenge this week because of bandwidth issues, but I still hope to post three more episodes between now and Saturday night.

Thanks so much to those of you who have emailed me or commented that you are enjoying this series.

If you missed previous episodes, they are all available via the YouTube playlist below. Thanks for watching, and may God bless you.

Watch now: Episode 4 of my reading course on JP2 on suffering in Christ

In Episode 4 of my online reading course on Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Salvifici doloris, which just went online, I discuss section 7 of the document, where the pope examines how suffering is "an experience of evil."

I am grateful to those of you who have emailed me or commented that you are enjoying this series. It means a lot to me to be able to help others reflect upon this powerful document of John Paul's.

My intention is to post a new episode each weekday. Today's episode should have been Monday's, but it was delayed owing to a slow internet connection. I hope to make up for the delay by posting another one later today.

If you missed previous episodes, they are all available via the YouTube playlist below. Thanks for watching, and may God bless you.

Watch now: Episode 3 of my online course on JP2 on suffering in Christ

In today's episode of my reading course, I read and reflect upon sections 5 and 6 of Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Salvifici doloris, discussing the relationship between moral or spiritual suffering and physical suffering.

If you missed previous episodes, they are all available via the YouTube playlist below. Thanks for watching, and may God bless you.

Watch now: Episode 2 of my online course on JP2 on suffering in Christ

In today's episode, I read and reflect upon sections 3 and 4 of Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Salvifici doloris, discussing why Pope St. John Paul II calls suffering a mystery.

If you missed episode 1, you can watch it and then the second episode using the video below, which is a YouTube playlist.



I pray this series helps you find consolation in Christ through the teachings of the Church. God bless you!

Watch now: Episode 1 of my online course on JP2 on suffering in Christ

Today I am beginning a daily online reading course on Pope St. John Paul II's letter on Christian suffering, Salvifici doloris. It's very informal and is tailored to a wide audience. I pray that it helps you find consolation in Christ through the teachings of the Church.

I write on healing for the Pontifical Gregorian University's Child Protection blog

Click the image to read my article.

Today the blog of the Centre for Child Protection at the Pontifical Gregorian University features an article I wrote on "Healing through the Liturgy: Insights from Vatican II." I am grateful to contribute to the center's mission and look forward to assisting it further in March, when I am to be among ninety scholars from around the world participating in a conference on how theologians can help the Church confront abuse.

Where my books are being used to help people heal

I speak at the annual benefit for Children of the
Immaculate Heart in San Diego, February 2018

This past week, I was delighted to see news pop up on the web concerning different places around the country where my books on healing from trauma and abuse are being used to help people.

In New York City, the archdiocesan website recommends my book My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints as a resource. New York joins a number of other dioceses around the country that recommend My Peace I Give You to survivors of sexual abuse, including Washington, DC, and Los Angeles.

And in Milwaukee, the School Sisters of St. Francis are sponsoring a March 7 Lenten retreat where Sister Mary Carroll, OSF, DMin, is drawing upon my books. Judging by the press release, it looks like I'll be in outstanding company:

According to Sister Mary, “At the retreat, we will view Jesus, the ‘wounded warrior,’ while examining the art of Andrei Rublev, Rembrandt van Rijn, Marc Chagall, and Salvador Dalí. Pope Francis points out that the face of Christ appears in the poor and the suffering.

“Yet, seeing with our spiritual eyes brings healing,” she continued. “We will draw on examples of this healing from Catholic authors Dawn Eden Goldstein and Caryll Houselander.”