Offering up pain and fear is ESSENTIAL to all Christians, not just Catholics. And I’m surprised how few are aware of it.
...” Our enlightened era looks with skepticism on penance, and believes pain is valueless and must be instantly vanquished.”
I have believed in the sanctity of redemptive suffering for many years - my Dear Uncle Walter was wasting away in a hospice situation, no chance of survival - the last time I went to see him; he asked me to make a promise to him.
He asked me to speak to the hospice nurse, and explain that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES did he want to be administrated ANY pain killing medications, which was the S.O.P. for patients like him.
He was worried that during his final agony, his loving wife would make a plea on his behalf. I kept my promise (and to her credit, the nurse kept hers as well.)
He told me he welcomed his suffering on earth, and as a devout Catholic; he was obliged to offer his suffering for he intentions of others - thus joining his Soul into the Holy Sacrifice of Calvary...
Brave, fearless, and an example to us all!