How can Catholics find meaning in suffering and grow closer to God through it?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Megan Hjelmstad, author of Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, to explore the theological and practical dimensions of suffering. They discuss how suffering, often an obstacle to faith, can be transformed into a path toward redemption by uniting it with Christ’s cross. Hjelmstad shares her personal experiences with chronic illness, pregnancy loss, and dietary restrictions, illustrating how these challenges led her to a deeper understanding of redemptive suffering.

Resources:

Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)

Ave Maria University website

Megan Hjelmstad's personal website

Find Megan Hjelmstad’s new book, Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, published by Emmaus Road

The Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering w/ Megan Hjelmstad | Ep. 157

Catholic Theology Show

The Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering w/ Megan Hjelmstad | Ep. 157