A MODEL FOR SUFFERING

As we continue through the stations of the Cross depicting the last days of Jesus' life and death, we consider the life of another man who offered his sufferings for the life of others.

VENEABLE FAUSTO GEI was born on March 24, 1927, in Brescia to Angelo and Maria Della Biasia. He earned his high school diploma from the Calini Scientific High School and enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Pavia. Becoming a doctor was his dream.

At the age of twenty, while completing his second year of university, he was struck by a mysterious illness. He diagnosed it himself, which was later confirmed as multiple sclerosis. He told his family, “It's a fatal disease. I don't know how long I'll last."

Abandoned by medical science, he clung to the hope of a miracle, going to Lourdes but was not cured.
Returning from the pilgrimage, he told someone: "I prayed for those who suffered more than me. I want to speak to those who suffer. I have not been able to help them as a doctor, I will do so as a sick person."

While his body gave way under the progression of his illness and his suffering increased day by day,, he portrayed serenity, and peace.

In 1955 he joined the Center for Volunteers of Suffering and gave one of the most profound definitions of the Association: "There are two attitudes that a soul can have when struck by suffering: that of the forced or that of the volunteer. Those forced to suffer are those who, in pain, curse, rebel, despair, without improving, but rather worsen their situation, which thus becomes more difficult and desolate, while in rebellion and sin every possibility of merit and comfort is extinguished, with the risk of transforming one's earthly unhappiness into eternal unhappiness. 

Volunteers to suffer, on the other hand, are those who, without making useless and vain comparisons with those who are "apparently" well and without getting lost in sterile regrets, accept the command of Jesus: "Whoever would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." Souls who have learned from Faith the providential nature of pain, who believe in the love of God and trust in Him even when He puts them to the test, the Volunteers of Suffering agree to continue the Passion of Jesus within themselves, to give glory to the Lord, to sanctify themselves and to extend the fruits of Redemption to all their brothers, especially those most in need of divine mercy. In their submission to the Will of God and in the offering of their own pain, they experience joys and comforts that no earthly happiness can even remotely equal”.

Fausto wrote on 31 July 1956: “I believe I have found the secret of happiness. Despite the physical limitation that afflicts me, I am always serene because I am always happy with everything. The lack of normal activity (normal for men) does not deprive me of serenity. I cannot see my illness as an unjust punishment, but only as a means to reach the goal and to carry out God's plans”.  

He wrote in his spiritual testament: "We must help our brothers and sisters find the path that leads to God. This involves offering suffering and sacrifice, but remember that the key word is: Love, suffer, offer. The salvation of a soul is priceless, and our greatest consolation must be that of having brought it back to the Father's fold... Don't be afraid of some failure: in life you don't always have to win, the important thing is to fight. To do all this, you must ask Our Lady for help, abandoning yourself into her hands. Always remember her favorite prayer, the rosary. For me, it has been the weapon that has given me the best results, especially on days when the devil was most threatening me."

He wrote to Monsignor  Luigil Novarese* (Co-founder of the Apostolate of the Suffering): “I don’t want to be defeated and I want my spirit to always triumph. I am always serene because I am always happy with everything.” 

The monsignor replied: “Live your day, the hours of your day, next to the Most Holy Madonna. She, who has perfectly understood the mystery of suffering, will not fail to support you, guide you, and make you ever more active in your offering.”

Fausto died on March 27, 1968, at the age of 41. Pope Leo declared him Venerable on February 21, 2026.

* Monsignor Novarese was beatuified May 11,  2013.