Who are the missionaries of intercession?

The Missionaries of Intercession are a vital part of the work of Servants of the Cross in Reynosa, Mexico.  They are our prayer partners, many offering their daily crosses and struggles to Jesus, asking for grace to be poured out on the mission effort.  They are co-workers with us in the work of family renewal, the preparation of the young for their vocations, and the establishment of a culture of life and love.

How is it beneficial to offer up one’s suffering?

At the end of Vatican II, the Council wrote:

“All of you who feel heavily the weight of the Cross…you who weep…you the unknown victims of suffering, take courage.  You are the preferred children of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of hope, happiness, and life.  You are the brothers of the suffering Christ, and with him, if you wish, you are saving the world.”

Through the sacrifice of Jesus, human suffering that is united to his, takes on redemptive value.  Those who carry their crosses with Jesus play an important role in spreading the Gospel.  At the same time, suffering and taking up one’s daily cross is a means of progress towards the Lord.
Through the apparitions in Fatima, Mary taught us the redemptive value of suffering, a mystery which only makes sense in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Our Lord didn’t remove suffering and evil from the world, but he defeated them through His Cross.  When we unite our sufferings to Jesus through Mary, there is great power and grace.

Pope Benedict gave the following message on the occasion of World Day of the Sick in 2011:

“Especially you, dear sick people, feel the nearness of the Sacred Heart of Jesus full of love and draw with faith and joy from this source…Since Jesus became man and shared in our suffering, in all suffering He brought about the consolation of God’s love and makes the star of hope to rise…Often the Passion, the Cross of Jesus, generate fear because they seem to be the negation of life.  In reality, it is exactly the contrary!  The Cross is God’s “yes” to mankind, the highest and most intense expression of his love and the source from which flows eternal life…Only a God who loves us to the extent of taking upon himself our wounds and our pain, especially innocent suffering, is worthy of faith…I repeat this message to you, dear brothers and sisters, so that you may  be witnesses to it through your suffering, your lives and your faith…May the Virgin Mary, whom we invoke with trust as Health of Sick and Consoler of the Suffering, keep watch at your side!…her maternal compassion for the Son becomes maternal compassion for each one of us in our daily sufferings.”

What does being a Missionary of Intercession entail?

Missionaries of Intercession make a commitment to pray daily for the Servants of  the Cross and the missionary work in Reynosa, Mexico.  Together we unite the crosses of daily life to Jesus Crucified through prayer, trusting in His grace for the salvation of others. read more...

The Servants of the Cross Missionaries pray for our faithful prayer supporters, especially our Missionariesof Intercession, particularly on Mondays when Fr. Tim offers Mass for all of their intentions.

How can I join the Missionaries of Intercession – or I know of someone else who is interested? Click here