Freedom and Truth in Suffering

For those who experience suffering and those in the medical profession, this book explores why a proper understanding of the human person and freedom is essential for guidance in moral actions and persevering. The author demonstrates that with this framework, the power of grace, the examples of Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother, including other essential elements, allow us the potential to find purpose, experience true freedom, persevere, and be an encouraging and salvific witness.

TESTIMONIALS

"Sydney March brings to her argument the same passionate commitment she brings to patient care, with the added conviction of her Catholic faith. This book is an argument for the possibility that suffering can be endured and perhaps redemptive; her argument will have the most meaning for the committed Catholic believer. Though I do not share the religious belief, as a physician I recognize and appreciate the commonality we share in seeing the patient and the human as a spiritual whole. For the Catholic believer this thesis will be reassuring and instructive; for all others it will provide a clear insight into the strength that the Catholic provider can draw from a detailed analysis of the faith in attending to the sick, which in the end is our common human goal." - Warren Kearney, M.D. C.M. HEC-C, ASBH Certified Health Care Ethics Consultant

"This significant work provides guidance for both the health care professional, and those they serve, to enable the sufferer to persevere and flourish. 'Suffering well' involves truth concerning the transcendent needs of the human person, so that moral and effective choices can be made, while trusting in God's providential care." - Dr. Marie T. Hilliard, MS (Maternal Child Health Nursing), MA (Religious Studies), JCL (Canon Lawyer), PhD, RN, Senior Fellow, The National Catholic Bioethics Center

"Sydney March explores the nature of suffering and its role in the Christian moral life with insight and sensitivity in this lovely book. Her enlightening reflections will be of value to all who recognize the need to 'suffer well' as we sojourn in this valley of tears." - Dr. Christopher Tollefsen, Professor of Philosophy, University of South Carolina

"Understanding suffering is vitally important in today's world that so often seeks to escape suffering and finds it meaningless. This short treatise on suffering beautifully expounds on the redemptive and salvific meaning that suffering can beget. For healthcare professionals in particular, we are not only called to alleviate what suffering we can, but also to genuinely accompany the sufferer, and, in some sense, to enter into their suffering. I trust this work will allow each reader to become a beacon of hope to a suffering world." - Lisa Gilbert, MD, MA (Ethics), FAAFP, Family Physician

Mrs. Sydney March lives in Minnesota. She holds an M.A. in Theology with a concentration in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College & Seminary, an M.S. with a concentration in Bioethics from the University of Mary, and certification in bioethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. She is a Registered Nurse working in the Emergency Department of a major Metro hospital and a local pregnancy medical clinic that provides free prenatal and postpartum care for underserved women. She is one of the many founding members of a local Clinical Ethics and Values Program, an active ethics committee member, and co-leader of an Ethics Champions Program at her hospital.