I believe that the sufferings of hunger that we endured during the war in prison were somewhat easier for me to bear, thanks in part to the fasting, self-denial, and acts of penance I once imposed on myself. The experience of hunger was at least not new to me; the only difference was in its intensity. And soon I realized that while prayer does not alleviate physical suffering or mental distress, it allows one to endure them more patiently. And surely it was through prayer that I was able to overcome every crisis.
(Walter J. Ciszek SJ /1904–1984/,
memories of Soviet prison during World War II, He Leads Me, Chapter 5)
