As Christians, we know the story of how, through Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, He gave us the gift of eternal life. So when a loved one dies, we can rest in the assurance that they have new life with Jesus. How often do we remember, though, that we, too, right now, can experience new life through the suffering of losing a loved one?

This month, I talk with four people who suffered devastating personal losses: a mother who lost an infant, a family who lost a teenage child, a young wife who lost her husband and a priest with a sudden and surprising terminal medical diagnosis. Each of them uniquely brought their sufferings to the foot of the Cross and found new life on the other side.

You will be inspired by stories that show us the truth of how Jesus’ death and resurrection apply to us now, even in midst of the sufferings of this world.

Listen to this month’s podcasts on each of these topics at being-pro-life.buzzsprout.com.

• April 6: Maria Dunlap shares the life of her infant daughter, Vivian, whom she lost to a heart disorder.

• April 13: Joan Stoltz lost her teenage daughter, Victoria, to a brain tumor.

• April 20: Sheila Munafo-Kanoza lost her young husband, Vince, to cancer.

• April 27: Father Paul Koetter responds to his terminal diagnosis of ALS.

Bob Wurzelbacher is the director of the Office for Respect Life Ministries. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Sharonville with their two young daughters.

This article appeared in the April 2021 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.