This Valley of Tears: A Comprehensive Study of the Origins, Meaning and Value of Suffering

The title "This Valley of Tears" comes from the prayer written by St. Bernard, 'Salve Regina' or 'Hail Holy Queen'. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve we, their children, must now live in this world of suffering, pain, and death. We are the "poor banished children of Eve." This book is a treatment of the source of our suffering, that suffering has a meaning and has been made valuable by the Passion, suffering, and Death of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of Original Sin, we have the tendency to seek gratification and to avoid pain and suffering at whatever the cost. We see the members of the Military, Firefighters, Police Officers, Search and Rescue Professionals, as heroes because they have been trained not only to endure hardship and pain but to run toward it to fight an enemy or in most cases to save the life or lives of others. Athletes, in like manner, are trained in endurance to pain and suffering for the 'winner's trophy' as well as passing glory. We must also train ourselves to become 'selfless' and to seek the good of others before our own gratification, even if this means we must endure pain and suffering in order to accomplish the good we set out to do. We can do all of this by the development of our spiritual life, through sacrifice and reparation. This book addresses the universal questions about suffering and pain in this world. It is written from a traditional Apostolic, Catholic, orthodox perspective, nevertheless, it is also written for the edification and inspiration of all people of good will.