What is the Confraternity of the Holy Cross?

The Confraternity of the Holy Cross is a spiritual association of the faithful erected under the authority of Bishop Slattery and open to those Catholics in the Diocese of Tulsa whose lives are characterized by serious, chronic, debilitating, or life-threatening diseases and who wish to offer their suffering as a gift to God our Father in union with the suffering of His Son.

Those who offer their suffering as a gift to the Father do so for three principle ends:

1. the sanctification of the universal Church
2. their own growth in charity and love
3. the healing of those who have been sexually abused by priests

Who may join the Confraternity?

The Confraternity was originally open only to those generous members of the Church in Tulsa; however, Bishop Slattery has recently opened enrollment to any Roman Catholic from whatever parish throughout the world, who loves the Church and is willing to let God the Father use their daily suffering and pain for the salvation and healing of others.

Their suffering may be either psychological or physical and may be occasioned by any chronic (such as asthma, diabetes, Gulf War syndrome, arthritis, or Crohn's disease), debilitating (such as fibromyalgia, MS, polio, or cystic fibrosis), or life-threatening (such as cancer, leukemia, AIDS, or congestive heart disease) illnesses.

Suffering is generally burdensome and those who suffer often find themselves isolated and alone. But when we suffer in union with Christ, our pain can become redemptive; and when we are conscious that we are part of a large group of people who are bound by faith and motivated by charity, then we pass beyond the loneliness and isolation imposed by illness.

Best of all is the knowledge that our suffering is useful, that despite the limitations we live with because of our condition, we are in a unique position to offer something beautiful to God. We have only to recall the words of the Apostle Paul to imagine the good which can be accompolished by the individual members of this Confraternity: Even now, I find my joy in the suffering I endure for you. In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the Church. (Colossians 1:24)

How is our suffering joined to that of Christ?

Christ has already made the means available for us to join our suffering to His own. In baptism we are joined to Christ in such a perfect union that everything we do can have an infinite value and can be infinitely pleasing to the Father. At Mass that perfect union becomes an opportunity for us to offer our lives to God. Christ is the first to offer His life as a perfect sacrifice, but then in obedience to Our Lord's command, "Do this in memory of Me," we join Him, surrendering our lives to the Father just as they are: sometimes joyful, but oftentimes sorrowful and always beset by sin.

The members of the Confraternity of Holy Cross try to live out the meaning of Christ's Eucharistic surrender every day by making a conscious, personal and complete offering of their pain and loneliness to the Father, praying in a special way for the healing of those who have been abused by the ordained shepherds of the Church and whose pain may have been worsened by the inattentiveness or the insensitivity of some bishops.

They make this daily offering by means of certain prayers, chiefly their Sunday (or daily) Mass and a Morning Offering.

Can our suffering actually be beneficial?

Yes, our suffering can be of spiritual benefit to ourselves and others. This is because God's plan for redemption centers upon our incorporation into the Mystical Body of Christ. As part of that single Body, we share the sufferings of others even as others are strengthened by the sacrifices we make on their behalf. But there is an even more fundamental mystery at work here!

By our suffering, we discover how deficient we are, how helpless and how often out-of-control. When we discover how great our weakness is, and accept it in faith, then we become more disposed to experience God's Presence in our lives and more open to giving God permission to lead us where He wills. Whether He wants health or sickness for us, we accept whatever He wants as a way of discovering His mercy.

Suffering thus can be a most apt means of surrendering control over our lives back to God. And when we discover joy in allowing God to love us as He wills, then we discover the very essence of holiness. This means that the suffering occasioned by our sickness can be our greatest impetus to growth in holiness and grace.

How can I join this Confraternity?

If you would like to join with other members of the Diocese in offering a daily gift to God of your sickness and suffering, just send your name and address to Bishop Slattery with your promise to make your offering to God for the complete healing of those who have been sexually abused by priests. You can also include something of your own faith life and a description of your suffering. This submission of your information to Bishop's office will be held in the strictest confidence, but will also help the Bishop determine how best to guide the future direction of the Confraternity. Please note that you need not share this personal information if to do so would make you uncomfortable for any reason. For your convenience, you may download an application form (an MS Word .doc file) that you can mail to Bishop's office.

Remember too that the promise to pray the Morning Offering does not bind under sin. If you are prevented by your sickness or weakness from praying that prayer, or if you already know another one by heart, do not worry. What counts is that we intend to offer our suffering for the healing of abuse victims.