Joy of the Cross

"Christianity proclaims joy to us, indeed; this joy, however, only develops on the path of love, and this path of love has to do with the Cross, with communion with the Crucified Christ"  -Benedict XVI >>>

True Joy and the Cross
Pope John Paul II , June 19, 1991.

 "According to Paul, Christians reproduce in themselves the paschal mystery of Christ, whose foundation is the cross. But its crowning glory is 'joy in the Holy Spirit' for those who persevere in the time of trial. It is the joy of the beatitudes, particularly the beatitude of the mourning and the persecuted (cf. Mt 5:4, 10-12). Did not Paul the Apostle say: 'I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake...' (Col 1:24)? And Peter, in his turn, urged: 'But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly' (1 Pet 4:13).

"Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that he may always enkindle in us a desire for the good things of heaven and enable us one day to enjoy their fullness: 'Grant us virtue and its reward, grant us a holy death, give us eternal joy.' Amen."

Joining God in Penance and suffering -St Benedicta of the Cross.
Crucified for love, free and joyful -Catherine Doherty, 1976