Make sickness itself a prayer

Make sickness itself a prayer

Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church, is known for his teachings on the importance of turning every aspect of our lives into a prayer. One of his most famous quotes is “Make sickness itself a prayer,” which emphasizes the idea that even in times of illness and suffering, we can find a way to connect with God.

For Saint Francis de Sales, sickness was not just a physical ailment, but an opportunity to grow closer to God through prayer and reflection. He believed that by offering up our suffering to God, we could unite our pain with the suffering of Christ on the cross and find meaning and purpose in our afflictions.

In his book "Introduction to the Devout Life," Saint Francis de Sales writes, “Sickness is a great grace from God, who allows us to participate in the sufferings of Christ and to offer our pain as a sacrifice for the salvation of souls.” He encourages his readers to see sickness as a way to purify their souls and draw closer to God, rather than as a burden to be endured.

Saint Francis de Sales also believed that sickness could be a time of spiritual growth and renewal. He saw illness as an opportunity to detach from the distractions of the world and focus on our relationship with God. By turning our suffering into a prayer, we can find peace and comfort in the midst of our pain and draw strength from the grace of God.

In the Catholic tradition, the concept of offering up our suffering as a prayer is known as “redemptive suffering.” This idea is based on the belief that by uniting our pain with the suffering of Christ, we can help to bring about the redemption of the world. Saint Francis de Sales teaches that by embracing our sickness as a prayer, we can participate in the work of salvation and find hope and healing in the love of God.