From the Gospel of John    53 

    These words of Holy Scripture also have a meaning for the future of the 

Church. The Twelve Apostles represent the twelve parts of the  Church. 

During the years of the Church's great suffering (in the 25th century), most 

of the Church will suffer greatly and many of the faithful will die as martyrs 

for Christ. But one portion out of the twelve parts of the Church will be kept 

safe from the worst persecutions of that time (Rev 12:6, 14). John represents 

that part of the Church which will be spared the worst of those sufferings 

occurring during the last half of the reign of the Antichrist. Jesus was 

predicting this event for the future of His Church. 

    After the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, John took the Virgin Mary into his 

own home and his care (John 19:27). John's care of the Mother of Jesus 

began at the foot of the Cross. This event has a symbolic meaning for the 

future of the Church. John represents that part of the Church which will care 

for and preserve the Faith during the time of the Crucifixion  of the Church. 

This part of the Church will be spared many sufferings, but will suffer by 

looking upon the great suffering of the rest of the Church, just as John and 

Mary suffered by looking upon the great suffering of Jesus Christ in His 

Crucifixion.