“The Cross Is My Joy, Not My Sorrow” Documentary on Spanish Carmelite Pablo María de la Cruz Premiers

The Carmelite Order begins the new year with the premiere of a documentary entitled: The Cross Is My Joy, Not My Sorrow’ the story of Pablo María de la Cruz, a young Carmelite from Salamanca who died in July 2023 at the age of 21. His death came a few weeks after making his religious profession as a Carmelite at the priory of St. Andrew (El Carmen de Abajo) in Salamanca.

The production narrates the young man's life through the testimonies of family members, friends, priests, friars, and monks who had a close relationship with him and were direct witnesses to the work that God in him. It also includes several excerpts from an interview with Pablo that was recorded a few days before his death.

“Heaven exists, Jesus is alive” is the main message that Pablo conveys in this documentary. He makes this clear in the words he speaks openly to the camera: “Through suffering in illness, I found God, and through death in illness, I will go to Him. And that makes me immensely happy.”

Pablo offered his life to God for three intentions: for the conversion of young people through their encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist; for the unity of the Church; and so that the offering of his life might help us all to overcome our fear of death.

The premiere of the documentary will take place in the St. John Paul II Auditorium at the Pontifical University of Salamanca on Friday, January 16th, at 7:30 pm. This production is suitable for all audiences, as the life of this young man will captivate both believers and non-believers alike.

The original audio of the video is in Spanish, but we have added English subtitles. To see a preview of the documentary is on the Carmelite YouTube, go here: