"...for the road of suffering is more secure and even more profitable than that of fruition and action..." St. John of the Cross
A good friend of mine who was very close to Blessed Pope John Paul II, told me that as the Pope's suffering increased near the end of his life, he was able to transmit even more peace and comfort to all of the souls who approached him. What an example of persevering love! He did not simply fade out into the sunset…he gave the very best of himself until there was simply nothing left to give. His last conscious act was to bless the people who were praying the rosary for him below in St. Peter's square. He showed us how to live with dignity and how to die with dignity.
