Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, speaks to Vatican News about the deep meaning of a special ecumenical Way of the Cross he presided over in Kiyv on April 11 ahead of the Holy Week with the participation of former prisoners and war amputees.

QUESTION : What does it mean for people who have suffered so much to take part in Jesus’ suffering?

ANSWER : To share  one’s experience through faith and to cry with Jesus. I believe per-sonal experience helps to understand, at least partially, the Passion of Jesus. Many mystics say this, and there are many testimonies from the sick that support it. But beyond that, when we live suffering in our own flesh, through faith, it becomes a grace.
Another aspect is that in that moment, there’s no need for someone else to nece-ssarily understand or accompany you, be-cause you are living the Cross – the Cross is with you. In that mo-ment, it’s just you and God. That is the grace.

• Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas
  Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine