When I consider suffering, I do so as someone who is physically challenged. Cerebral palsy has forced me to use a wheelchair all my life. For most of my life, I have believed that the suffering we bear in life is a result of the human tendency to sin. But then I looked to Mary, who was sinless and suffered a great deal and my argument seemed to fall apart. I found myself contemplating this problem before images of Our Lady in art, especially Michelangelo’s Pietà. There captured in marble, we see what Mary saw, her perfect son broken for you and me. But I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve looked upon the replica of Michelangelo’s statue at a nearby church, and in my mind’s eye I saw Mary holding me in place of her beloved son, Jesus. One night in particular I sensed her consolation. That night a friend picked me up for Mass. I needed to go so that I could receive Our Lord in Holy Communion to cope with the reality that was suddenly before me. I had just learned that my brother was found dead. I sat in the back of the church near the Pietà. And if I closed my eyes, I could see Mary holding my brother, as I sometimes imagined her holding me. I was comforted by my heavenly Mother as never before…..She can love us perfectly, hold us, and yet help us accept our sufferning too. In Michelangelo’s masterpiece, I see a mother who can pray for us sinners – for me, my brothers, my sisters and for you, now and at the hour of our death.

– Bill Zalot