Love cannot exist without suffering, and suffering without love is ‘hell’

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The third annual Mass of Belonging was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Sept. 22, on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Mass brings together the Fire Foundation of Northern Kentucky and supporters of the mission of inclusive education, for the celebration of Mass and a social gathering in St. Mary’s Park, Covington.

Celebrating the Mass was Father Ryan Maher, rector of the Cathedral. Concelebrating were priests of the Diocese, including Father Joseph Gallenstein, pastor, St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger; Father Eric Andriot, parochial vicar, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Burlington; Father Britton Hennessey, pastor, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Falmouth; Father Mark Keene, pastor, St. Agnes Parish, Ft. Wright; Father Michael Grady, pastor, St. Therese Parish, Southgate; and Father Thomas Picchioni, pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Carrollton.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Kendra McGuire, addressed those gathered before the start of Mass, highlighting the impact of the Fire Foundations work in the Diocese.

“We are hearing from more families who are seeking a Catholic education for their children, and our Catholic schools are working hard with the Fire Foundation’s generous support to welcome them,” she said. “Together, we are building a community that includes all of our brothers and sisters, regardless of their disability.”

The Mass of Belonging was celebrated on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a feast day commemorating the “martyrdom of Mary,” said Father Ryan Maher, quoting St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Though, Father Maher pointed out, Mary is not officially recognized as a martyr of the Church. “We don’t wear read, she did not die a martyr’s death,” he said, but “she suffered a martyr’s death in her heart.”

“…She experienced in her heart everything Jesus experienced in his body [during his crucifixion]. This beautiful participation in the work of salvation that Jesus gave to his mother to share with him,” said Father Maher, explaining Mary’s martyred heart. Because of her great love for her son, she took part in the work of Jesus’ greatest sacrifice. “Suffering without love is hell … suffering without love, no possibility of love. Love without suffering is an incomplete love,” said Father Maher.

In her suffering during Christ’s passion, “she can’t do anything. She accepts and suffers with love and suffering … The final sword, in a real way that pierced the side of Jesus, first went through Mary’s heart, and she suffered with love. The Lord gave her a share in his passion,” said Father Maher.

“We ask the Blessed Mother to intercede for us,” he said, “to help us love deeply, because there is so much suffering in the world. But suffering does not have to have the last word, love has the last word. Love makes suffering, in a way, beautiful, love makes suffering whole.”