Diary Study Group: Reading Assignment 42
“1565 (140) When I entered the chapel for a moment, the Lord said to me, My daughter, help Me to save a certain dying sinner. Say the chaplet that I have taught you for him. When I began to say the chaplet, I saw the man dying in the midst of terrible torment and struggle. His Guardian Angel was defending him, but he was, as it were, powerless against the enormity of the soul’s misery. A multitude of devils was waiting for the soul. But while I was saying the chaplet, I saw Jesus just as He is depicted in the image. The rays which issued from Jesus’ Heart enveloped the sick man, and the powers of darkness fled in panic. The sick man peacefully breathed his last. When I came to myself, I understood how very important the chaplet was for the dying. It appeases the anger of God.”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” Apple Books.
Diary Study Group: Reading Assignment 41
Assignment: Diary entries 1525 & 1558
“1525 One day, a certain sister came to me and asked me for prayers, telling me that she could no longer stand things as they were. “And so, please pray, Sister.” I answered that I would, and I began a novena to The Divine Mercy. I learned that God would give her the grace, but that she would once again be dissatisfied when she received it. However, I kept on praying as she had asked me to do. The next day, the same sister came looking for me, and when we again began to talk about the same thing, I told her, “You know, Sister, when we pray, we ought not force the Lord God to give us what we want, but we should rather submit to His holy will.” (118) But she thought that what she was asking for was indispensable. Towards the end of the novena, the sister came again and said, “O Sister, the Lord Jesus has given me the grace, but now I am of a different mind. Please pray so that things will somehow be different again.” I answered, “Yes, I will pray, but that God’s will be done in you, Sister, and not[…]”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” Apple Books.
“1558 February 2, [1938]. Darkness of the soul. Today is the Feast of the Mother of God, and in my soul it is so dark. The Lord has hidden Himself, and I am alone, all alone. My mind has become so dimmed that I see only phantasms about me. Not a single ray of light penetrates my soul. I do not understand myself or those who speak to me. Frightful temptations (135) regarding the holy faith assail me. O my Jesus, save me. I cannot say anything more. I cannot describe these things in detail, for I fear lest someone be scandalized on reading this. I am astounded that such torments could befall a soul. O hurricane, what are you doing to the boat of my heart? This storm has lasted the whole day and night.
When Mother Superior [Irene] came in to see me and asked, “Would you like to take advantage of this occasion, Sister, since Father An. [Andrasz] is coming to hear confessions?” I answered, no. It seemed to me that Father would not understand me, nor would I be able to make a confession.
I spent the whole night with Jesus in Gethsemane. From my[…]”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” Apple Books.
#1525-He knows what is best for us even though we feel we are right in what we need and what we pray for! Trust Him, because the answer does make sense after we ponder over it.
#1558-I can’t help but wonder if what she was experiencing what a purely human condition that we all have known as a mild depression and she felt it was being abandoned by Jesus? Her connection to Him was so profound and developed we forget she had a human side. Just a thought!
Peace,
#1525
Makes me wonder how many times my prayers were answered and I could not realize the Grace I needed was given to me. I pray for personal relations to change; to me, I see nothing getting better. What I do find is, through payer, an ability to listen and understand, and sometimes, I may even speak an inspired word. If I look back in my life, I see God’s guiding hand moving me along.#1558
Faustina’s example of how to pray through apparent abandonment (from God) makes it easier for me to pray. St Faustina continued trust in God through this feeling of abandonment, gives me reassurance that God is always with me, even if I feel no spiritual awareness of Him. The essence of this reading is a little jewel I wish to keep with me for meditation.#1525
How easy it is for us to seek our own will & not God’s. How many times do we get or hear of prayer requests of someones, “laundry list,” of things they deem most important? I include myself in this, & almost never give thought to what is it that God wants in this situation. The conversation she talks about could as easily be done in the same way today.# 1558
Reminds me of St John of the Cross, “Dark night of the soul.” Many times if you read about various saints you will hear about the desert experience. Any consolations are totally taken away or simply not given. As they so often remind us, this is when God is the closest. It is as if we go from crawling to baby steps in a faith sense. During this time, if we only remain faithful to Him, our faith will grow.
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Diary Study Group Reading 40
“1315 + In times of interior desolation I do not lose my peace, because I know that God never abandons a soul, except perhaps only when the soul itself breaks the bond of love by its unfaithfulness. However, all creatures without exception depend on the Lord and are maintained by His omnipotence. Some are under the rule of love, others under the rule of justice. It depends on us under which rule we want to live, because no one is refused the aid of sufficient grace. I am not frightened at all by my apparent abandonment. I examine myself more profoundly to discover whether this is due to my fault. If this is not the case — then may [the Lord] be blessed!”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” Apple Books.
- Gene & Bonnie
March 10th, 2020 - 07:47#1315 (Bonnie): “No one is refused the aid of sufficient grace.” #1314 reveals that Faustina is at this time in very poor health, no wonder her sense of abandonment, yet she is not frightened by this.
This quote from Faustina brings to mind the passage from 2 Cor. 12:9 where St. Paul is speaking about his thorn in the flesh when he says 3 times he asked the Lord about this, that it might leave him, but the Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Faustina’s experience echoes Paul’s.
Faustina must be praying, “Jesus, I trust in you.” In #1316 Jesus tells her He needs sacrifice lovingly accomplished. Surely the sacrifice of her trusting even within this sense of abandonment has meaning to Jesus.
#1315 (Gene): “In times of interior desolation I do not lose my peace…” says St. Faustina. Probably not surprising that she, too, at times experiences the “dark night of the soul.” Oh, how I have desired to be able to say that as well in times of great difficulties. And I know that’s where “Jesus, I trust in Thee” is always the answer regardless of what circumstances in life prevail.
Peace,
An affirmation that God is always in total control. My choice is, as I understand, which control I choose to live under- “Love or Justice”. Definitely this narrows down the multitude of choices I thought existed for me.
Again, the promise of sufficient Graces for me to depend on, to reach His Mercy.God’s Love
BB/UB/FB#1315
I found this note to be ver reassuring as to our relationship with God. God never leaves us, we are without Him when we leave Him. The next sentence was a little of a mystery to me, “However, all creatures without exception depend on the Lord & are maintained by His “Omnipotence” I understand how all are dependent on Him but curious how omnipotence is used here. I certainly want to live under the rule of love as the justice part scares me somewhat. I love the way she embraces her abandonment & not afraid by it. Her self examination as to whether it is self induced or not, referring to abandonment, & what part did she play in having that happen, was interesting to think about.
#1315-I wonder if her desolation she refers to has to do with her human nature. At time different “imbalances” in your body do make you depressed, angry, etc… Due to her closeness with Jesus she knows He is always with her and with His grace she is confident he did not abandon her. This passage was a little difficult to comprehend. It reminds me too, of reading “Dark Night of the Soul”. Anita
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Diary Study Group Reading 39
“1318 (58) October 10, [1937]. O my Jesus, in thanksgiving for Your many graces, I offer You my body and soul, intellect and will, and all the sentiments of my heart. Through the vows, I have given myself entirely to You; I have then nothing more that I can offer You. Jesus said to me, My daughter, you have not offered Me that which is really yours. I probed deeply into myself and found that I love God with all the faculties of my soul and, unable to see what it was that I had not yet given to the Lord, I asked, “Jesus, tell me what it is, and I will give it to You at once with a generous heart.” Jesus said to me with kindness, Daughter, give Me your misery, because it is your exclusive property. At that moment, a ray of light illumined my soul, and I saw the whole abyss of my misery. In that same moment I nestled close to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with so much trust that even if I had the sins of all the damned weighing on my conscience, I would not have doubted God’s mercy (59)“but, with a heart crushed to dust, I would have thrown myself into the abyss of Your mercy. I believe, O Jesus, that You would not reject me, but would absolve me through the hand of Your representative.”
“1319 You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.”
“1320 At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion….
”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” Apple Books.
Please give your insights to these readings
#1318
When I first read Jesus words, “My daughter you have not offered Me that which is really yours,” I wondered what it is that I hold back. After that He tells her He wants her misery. What a gift for all of us that he wants our painful misery!! What a loving God we have!#1319
Do I understand the depth of His Mercy—-barely at all. I just appreciate to the nth degree that it is there.#1320
He spells it out so clearly what a precious gift His Mercy is. We only need to remember the time,{3PM] & at that time, His agony & Passion that He went through for all of us. His promise to us at the end of this note, “I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion”, if beyond understanding as to the depth of His Love for us!When St Faustina said “… I nestled close to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus….”, I immediately wanted to join her in this place of total security. What a place to be in today’s world! Colette, I agree, God’s love keeps unfolding without end.
1319 I say this prayer at the beginning of each Chaplet and I reflect often on: “… the source of life gushed forth for souls…” This leaves no room to wonder where life came from.
1320 I am well advised to always remember what Christ did for me at the 3 o’clock hour and to reflect on it daily. If I only could only really concentrate on His agony, I know I would open myself more fully to His Holy Will.
God’s Love,
BB/UB/FBI remembered what we were told in grade school and high school. Any pain, or problems, either mental or physical, offer it up for the honor and glory of God. I feel that God is confirming what we were told at that time. He is only reaffirming the importance of His passion and death on the cross and, yes, He wants us to understand how much He loves us and we can be saved from our sins.
I do remember the 3 o’clock request. I hope He knows I try to really meditate on his passion. He is all-knowing and I pray He helps me with my human frailties.
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Reading Assignment 36: Diary Entry 1167
“1167 Satan has admitted to me that I am the object of his hatred. He said that “a thousand souls do me less harm than you do when you speak of the great mercy of the Almighty One. The greatest sinners regain confidence and return to God, and I lose everything. But what is more, you persecute me personally with that unfathomable mercy of the Almighty One.” I took note of the great hatred Satan has for the Mercy of God. He does not want to acknowledge that God is good.
”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
- Gene & Bonnie
March 9th, 2018 - 07:27Satan actually communicates his hatred for Faustina to Faustina. It is clear that he does not want sinners to know of God’s unfathomable Mercy. If they know, they may come to Trust. And if that happens, Satan loses hold on the sinner. God’s Goodness then overwhelms the sinner. In this passage Satan, the “Father of Lies,” for once is telling the Truth! From Jesus Calling (pg. 283): “Learn to recognize his (Satan’s) deceptive intrusions into your thoughts. One of his favorite deceptions is to undermine your confidence in My unconditional Love. Fight back against those lies. Do not let them go unchallenged.” From James 4: 7-8.”Submit yourself to God, resist Satan and he will flee from you.” Bonnie.
I have often wondered what has happened to the lack of reference to demons/Satan in modern times. Have we become too sophisticated to believe in what now is portrayed as almost a bogeyman, Halloween type, fictitious ghost? But, if there is no Satan, there is no sin. And if there is no sin, there is no need for Christ’s Redemption. And Satan is delighted! So all the more reason for the Mission of Divine Mercy. “I took note of the great hatred Satan has for the Mercy of God.” Those who believe in and promote the Mercy of God are Satan’s targets. We must continue to pray daily St. Michael’s prayer like we always did as a Church after Mass. Pray over yourself, your family and relatives for a “Hedge of protection, Lord, through your Precious Blood over all of us.” About 25 years ago I started praying and “dressing up” daily with St. Paul’s “Armor of Spiritual Warfare” (Eph. 6.) We need all the help we can get! Gene.
# 1167
What unimaginable power God’s mercy has! All I need to do is turn to it when I feel I am in need. It sounds so simple but I rarely do it. Why is that??
The fact that satan hates us totally & completly really isn’t new but it is something I haven’t tried to think about. The result of that hatred is so devastating to our self worth & happiness. I must remind myself when I come in contact with that kind of destruction to run to God’s mercy & KNOW He has all the answers for me.
What this note brings home to me is that God IS the ultimate Good in every possible way. He invites all of us to turn to Him & believe in His mercy. What a great God we have!!! We are all so blessed!!!
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Reading assignment #35: 1128
“1128 May 22, 1937. The heat is so intense today that it is difficult to bear. We are all thirsting for rain, and still it does not come. For several days the sky has been overcast, but there is no rain. When I looked at (35) the plants, thirsting for the rain I was moved with pity, and I decided to say the chaplet until the Lord would send us rain. Before supper, the sky covered over with clouds, and a heavy rain fell on the earth. I had been saying this prayer without interruption for three hours. And the Lord let me know that everything can be obtained by means of this prayer.”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
- Gene & Bonnie
March 5th, 2017 - 09:541128: This is persistence… 3 solid hours of Divine Mercy Chaplet. This is the person in the Gospel who pounds on the door of a friend relentlessly asking for bread for another. The owner finally gives in not so much because of the plea, but because of the persistence in pleading. I don’t ordinarily do that (in one sitting, so to speak) but I could, I can, I will, I hope! (I’m retired without major outside commitments and responsibilities.) Bonnie.
1128: What a metaphor for when we think our prayers are not being answered! We feel like we are in a condition of draught. But we persevere in our petitions and intercession for others, and sometimes the rain of grace comes, and sometimes not. Although from our vantage point we sometimes believe our prayers are not being answered, “I came to understand that God does not always accept our petitions for the souls we have in mind, but directs these to other souls. (621)” “For I am the Lord…. immune to orders or needs. (85)” “Act like a beggar… take as many treasures from My Heart as you can carry, for then you will please Me more… take these graces not only for yourself, but also for others. Oh, how I love those souls who have complete confidence in Me — I will do everything for them. (294)” Gene.
#1128
How can any of us not identify with her concern regarding the weather? Instead of the dryness that was her situation when she wrote this in her notebook, we appear to have the opposite, with temperatures that are anything but predictable.
To me her message of persistance in prayer & total “trust” that our prayers will be answered, maybe not always the way we want them to, but “believe” He is listening to every word we say. He is listening. To me it is very interesting that it is important that we actually pray, even though He knows all our needs. Also, I want to mention that her prayer at that time with the “chaplet” she not only was praying for Mercy but for the needs & conditions they were living under at the time. I don’t think I would have thought this had I not read this#1128-I get the feeling that everything can be obtained by means of this prayer as long as it is God’s Will. I’m thinking of “The Lords Prayer”. We can only hope that our personal intentions are in acceptance to His Will. I do have a favorite prayer that I say when things get overpowering and I feel I am not on the right track and my prayers are being ignored.
The time may be delayed, the manner may be unexpected, but the answer is sure to come. Not a tear of sacred sorrow, not a breath of holy desire poured out to God is ever lost. But in God’s own time and way, the answer will be wafted back to you in clouds of mercy, and shower blessings on you and on those for whom you pray.
Sometimes God does say no, but understanding comes why it is the best for you.
#1128 For those of you that know me well, know that I dislike hearing or using words like “always” & “never”, plus other all inclusive words; so when St. Faustina wrote: “…everything can be obtained by means of this prayer”, my mind wonders how much of “everything” does God mean. Does this prayer give me another tool to help promote the message of Divine Mercy? How do I guard against praying only for my own self-centered interest that is not of God’s Will? For a seemingly simple reading, this reading has opened up many more questions than answers for me. Maybe -I should pray for wisdom. (not maybe! I hear you say)
God’s Love,
BB/UB/FB
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Reading Assignment #34: 1090,1106,1107 & 1150
1090: “And this happened on the last day of my novena to the Holy Spirit. After this return to health, I found myself united with the Lord Jesus in a purely spiritual way. Jesus gave me strong assurances; that is, He confirmed me in respect to His demands. I remained close to the Lord Jesus all that day and talked with Him about the details concerning that congregation.
(24) Jesus infused my soul with power and courage to act. Now I understand that if the Lord demands something of a soul, He gives it the means to carry it out, and through grace He makes it capable of doing this. So, even if the soul be utterly miserable, at the Lord’s command it can undertake things beyond its expectation, because this is the sign by which it can be known that the Lord is with that soul: if God’s power and strength, which make the soul courageous and valiant, is manifest within it. As for myself, I am always at first a bit frightened at the Lord’s greatness, but afterwards my soul is filled with profound peace which nothing can disturb, as well as an inner strength to do what[…]”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
“1106 (28) + Virtue without prudence is not virtue at all. We should often pray to the Holy Spirit for this grace of prudence. Prudence consists in discretion, rational reflection and courageous resolution. The final decision is always up to us. We must decide; we can and we ought to seek advice and light…
1107 Today during meditation, God gave me inner light and the understanding as to what sanctity is and of what it consists. Although I have heard these things many times in conferences, the soul understands them in a different way when it comes to know of them through the light of God which illumines it.
Neither graces, nor revelations, nor raptures, nor gifts granted to a soul make it perfect, but rather the intimate union of the soul with God. These gifts are merely ornaments of the soul, but constitute neither its essence nor its perfection. My sanctity and perfection consist in the close union of my will with the will of God. God never violates our free will. It is up to us whether we want to receive God’s grace or not. It is up to us whether we will cooperate with it or waste it.
”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
“1150 Today, I experienced a good deal of sorrow because of a certain person, a lay person, that is. On the basis of one true thing, she said many things which were fictitious. And because they were taken to be true and spread around the whole house, when the news reached my ears, my heart felt a twinge of pain. How can one abuse the goodness of others like that? But I resolved not to say a word in my defense and to show even greater kindness toward that person. I became aware, however, that I was not strong enough to bear this calmly, because the matter lingered on for weeks. When I saw the storm building up and the wind beginning to blow sand straight into my eyes, I went before the Blessed Sacrament and said to the Lord, “Lord Jesus, I ask You to give me the strength of Your actual grace, because I feel that I will not manage to survive this struggle. Shield me with Your breast.”
Then I heard the words, Do not fear; I am with you. When I left the altar, an extraordinary peace and power filled my soul, and the storm[…]”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
Prudence, what a virtue! To me prudence is a gift. Her understanding of these virtues is a Gift from the Holy Spirit. How often we have to remind ourselves to listen carefully before we answer. As said, that is why we have 2 ears and 1 mouth.
In her entry of 1050, I was impressed with her human factor. How many times we hear things about us personally and we are hurt and angry especially when it is not true? The way she forgave the person and her realization it was her problem she must deal with it with God.- Gene & Bonnie
December 11th, 2016 - 11:401090: Strength to do what the Lord demands. Grace!
1106: Prudence – using our brain with courage after seeking Divine Light.
1107: God’s light comes often in prayer.
1150: “Lord Jesus, I ask you to give me the strength of your actual grace, because I feel that I will not manage to survive this struggle.” I must adopt this prayer. Bonnie1090,1106,1107 & 1150: Remember when we learned about the 4 Cardinal virtues? Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude. Seems like St. Faustina meditates on 2 of these: in 1090 Courage, “(the soul) can undertake things beyond its expectation, because this is the sign by which it can be known that the Lord is with the the soul: if God’s power and strength, which make the soul courageous and valiant, is manifest within it.” And her beautifully succinct summary of Prudence and Courage in 1106, “Prudence consists in discretion, rational reflection and courageous resolution.” In 1107, Faustina saying “Yes!” to the graces of these virtues helps her towards perfection, “”My sanctity and perfection consist in the close union of my will with the will of God… It is up to us whether we want to receive God’s grace or not. It is up to us whether we will cooperate with it or waste it.” Forgive me, Lord, for the many times I have rather said, “No!” and wasted your graces. And so often it is in that split second that my fateful decision is “chosen!” But when troubled in 1150 Faustina heard the Lord’s directive of Courage, “Do not fear; I am with you.” Gene.
#1090
How wonderful it was for her to feel His presence so strongly & that it would last the day. I can only imagine what that would feel like.To know that our Lord takes souls or chooses to take souls that are utterly miserable & have them do these courageous acts & then leave them with total peace afterwards has to be so uplifting to all of us. If we ever feel His call for us to action we can rest assure He will be with us all the way through.
#1106
I am so glad she went into detail regarding the meaning of “prudence.” All the tools are there to figure out if this is from our Lord or not.#1107
I love the line which Faustina relates about perfection. It isn’t all the special gifts that He grants us but our intimate union with God that leads to perfection. Again our ultimate goal is having our will in line with God’s will. For all this to begin to happen, we must act & pursue God’s grace. We either waste the time or cooperate with it. How often do I waste time when I could concentrate on doing God’s will at the time?#1150
How often do we come in contact with people who disturb our peace? How often do I run to the Lord & ask for help in this matter? This makes me aware that I don’t do it enough.
I now know of how important it is to seek “actual” grace at times when “ordinary” grace is not enough.- BB/UB/FB
December 11th, 2016 - 11:43For me, the four readings highlighted two graces- ordinary and actual. We are given so many tools from Him to help us live. I must admit I have more questions now than before about grace. I went to – http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06689x.htm (didn’t know this site existed) to clear up matters and was reading for a long time.
I am thankful all of you found much more in these reading. Bonnie – I agree, that prayer -“Lord Jesus, I ask You to give me the strength of Your actual grace, because I feel that I will not manage to survive this struggle” should be part of my/our prayer repertoire to gain an Actual Grace.
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Reading Assignment #33: 916, 926
“916 (272) This day is so special for me; even though I encountered so many sufferings, my soul is overflowing with great joy. In a private room next to mine, there was a Jewish woman who was seriously ill. I went to see her three days ago and was deeply pained at the thought that she would soon die without having her soul cleansed by the grace of Baptism. I had an understanding with her nurse, a [religious] Sister, that when her last moment would be approaching, she would baptize her. There was this difficulty however, that there were always some Jewish people with her. However, I felt inspired to pray before the ”
“image which Jesus had instructed me to have painted. I have a leaflet with the Image of the Divine Mercy on the cover. And I said to the Lord, “Jesus, You Yourself told me that You would grant many graces through this image. I ask You, then, for the grace of Holy Baptism for this Jewish lady. It makes no difference who will baptize her, as long as she is baptized.”
After these words, I felt strangely at peace, and I was quite sure that, despite the difficulties, the waters of Holy Baptism would be poured upon her soul. That night, (273) when she was very low, I got out of bed three times to see her, watching for the right moment to give her this grace. The next morning, she seemed to feel a little better. In the afternoon her last moment began to approach. The Sister who was her nurse said that Baptism would be difficult because they were with her. The moment came when the sick woman began to lose consciousness, and as a result, in order to save her, they began to run about; some [went] to fetch the doctor, while others went off in[…]”
“926 February 9, [1937]. Shrove Tuesday. During the last two days of the carnival, I experienced the overwhelming flood of chastisements and sins. In one instant the Lord gave me a knowledge of the sins committed throughout the whole world during these days. I fainted from fright, and even though I know the depth of God’s mercy, I was surprised that God allows humanity to exist. And the Lord gave me to know who it is that upholds the existence of mankind: it is the chosen souls. When the number of the chosen ones is complete, the world will cease to exist.”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
- Colette
October 6th, 2016 - 13:20#916
I was first impressed with the amount of reading this notebook had. Not a bad thing, just different from the others we have done.I have to admit the first paragraph really surprised me in regards to the Jewish woman & her baptism, or awaiting baptism. How they would wait until she would be alone to baptize her, caused me to really think hard about what I knew about baptism. St. Faustina’s only concern was the cleansing of her soul with this sacrament.
The 2nd paragraph is more of the same, watching & waiting on this poor suffering woman, for the opportunity to baptize her.
The last paragraph talks about the baptism & the beautiful state her soul was in. What I understand baptism to be is, the mutual agreement of the one baptizing & the person who is receiving it. The beauty that St. Faustina saw in regards to her soul after baptism made me wonder if the opportunity to baptize someone, young or old, offers itself to us, that we do it as they did?? Then I thought that St. Faustina, having known this woman a little, knew she desired baptism. I am eager to read other opinions on this subject.#926
Shrove Tues., I’m not clear on what that means. I try to imagine what it was like for Christ during the agony in the garden. He KNEW all the sins of mankind, past, present & the future. I know how depressed I can get seeing what I perceive as sin within our family- I can’t imagine what it was like to know ALL of mankinds. Only God could take all that on. Again, the chosen ones are mentioned. Did we decide they wer priests? Sorry that it has slipped my mind again on this topic. This topic seems to come up off & on. - Gene & Bonnie
October 6th, 2016 - 13:21916: In it’s totality I do not understand this passage very well. I thought that adult Baptism required consent and belief. The catechism does not help clear this up. Anyone more clear than I on this, please enlighten me. Somehow this Baptism is granted through Faustina’s prayer for this Jewish woman before the Divine Mercy image, it seems.
926: Again I am confused. This time by the phrase “chosen souls” (they are upholding the existence of mankind).”When the numaber of these ‘chose
916: The implication in the reading is that St. Faustina believed her Jewish friend would not be saved without Baptism. Could it be that her Jewish friend was on a path of salvation, and got “supercharged” with baptismal graces to reach an “upper level?” “…I saw her soul ascending to heaven in wondrous beauty.”
A Theologian I am not, but have had discussions on this topic in the past with Msgr. Barr, and also discussions during 4 years of “Why Catholic?” studying the Catechism which is saturated with quotes from Vatican II including this topic. Jesus Christ died for all of humankind. No one is saved except through the merits of Jesus Christ. His saving grace is available to every person. How this sanctifying grace for eternal salvation manifests itself in Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, nonbelievers, etc. remains a puzzlement for us, but not for Him. My understanding is as long as those believers are trying to lead a virtuous life according to their religious beliefs, and through God’s Mercy and Justice, salvation can be obtained without Baptism through the merits of Christ’s passion and death for all. Yes, we believe the Catholic Church has the fullness of Truth, but elements of these Truths abide in other religions as well. Otherwise, if this were not so, there would not be salvation available for billions of people! So, is it a matter of degree to which we experience this saving grace with being baptized potentially leading one to an “upper level”? “In My Father’s house there are many mansions…” (I’m hoping for a 1st floor, small, back room at a Motel 6!)
926: St. Faustina wrote this on my 4th birthday. Yikes! “… who it is that upholds the existence of mankind: it is the chosen souls.” Lots of questions. Chosen souls like in predestination? Do chosen souls really uphold the existence of mankind? Is St. Faustina saying that chosen souls are the ones who recognize, accept and willfully choose Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? So really, doesn’t Christ first uphold those “chosen souls” and humankind? Help! Gene.
The message is so strong for us to pray for mercy for the chosen souls. He also states He will not forget the ones who honor His request. Also remember this is the day of the novena in honor of St. Faustina. Remember the Chaplet. Also we should also remember to say the Rosary. Our Blessed Mother is the Mediatrix of all graces. October is the month of the Rosary. The Novena goes through to October 4th.
He is so hurt by our mistrust and rejection! He is our Father!! Which one of us is not emotionally hurt by rejection by a friend or family member? We are His children. Think of the multitude of time he has been hurt by His children! I have 2 different images, very similar, I wonder which is the one He approved. All He wants from us is to pray, love and forgive.
Eugene, I do think the mansion with many rooms is a good explanation as to what we are trying to understand. The chosen have a special responsibility for Jesus. We are being asked to help Him assemble the chosen. I am sure it also means that the ones that have accepted His request will not be forsaken. I strongly feel that God will not abandon the good people who have love in their hearts and believe in Him or The Father and who are not aware of the importance of baptism will be denied entrance into heaven. Anne Catherine Emmerich, a mystic and visionary, whose thoughts and visions are detailed in “The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ” also shared visions about people who were very kind and loving that were isolated from other people who didn’t know of Our Savior and were allowed into the kingdom of heaven. I don’t think it was an accident that the Jewish woman was in the hospital and the room was in proximity to St. Faustina. She was special to Jesus and the longer I live I see very few circumstances that can be considered accidental.I feel so fortunate to be baptized, and to be born in the Catholic Faith. I will continue to Trust In Him, say the chaplet, and the so important Rosary that is so important to Mary our Mother.
I will continue to ponder on this. I sure need the Spirit to help me!
#916 To me, this is another confirmation that Baptism DOES bestow Sanctifying Grace and that no one is without a unique/personal Soul. I said this before, our Soul has to be a most precious gift! I feel since Faustina’s intentions were pure, this act was done for our benefit. (if only, I could understand) Albert Einstein said “…Let me know God’s thoughts, the rest are details”
#926
Since this is the second time we’ve encountered “Chosen ones” in our readings, I take this as a confirmation that “Chosen Souls” exists- and if I (we) are one of them, I (we) have a responsibility to others. If I (we) are not, may we pray for those who are.
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Reading Assignment #32: 961 & 1783
“961 + This morning after completing my spiritual exercises, I began at once to crochet. I sensed a stillness in my heart; I sensed that Jesus was resting in it. That deep and sweet consciousness of God’s presence prompted me to say to the Lord, “O Most Holy Trinity dwelling in my heart, I beg You: grant the grace of conversion to as many souls as the [number of] stitches that I will make today with this crochet hook.” Then I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, too great are your demands. “Jesus, You know that for You it is easier to grant much rather than a little.” That is so, it is less difficult for Me to grant a soul much rather than a little, but every conversion of a sinful soul demands sacrifice. “Well, Jesus, I offer You (304) this whole-hearted work of mine; this offering does not seem to me to be too small for such a large number of souls; You know, Jesus, that for thirty years You were saving souls by just this kind of work. And since holy obedience forbids me to perform great penances and mortifications, therefore I ask You “Lord: accept these mere nothings stamped with the seal of obedience as great things.” Then I heard a voice in my soul: My dear daughter, I comply with your request.”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
“1783 + When I immersed myself in prayer and united myself with all the Masses that were being celebrated all over the world at that time, I implored God, for the sake of all these Holy Masses, to have mercy on the world and especially on poor sinners who were dying at that moment. At the same instant, I received an interior answer from God that a thousand souls (132) had received grace through the prayerful mediation I had offered to God. We do not know the number of souls that is ours to save through our prayers and sacrifices; therefore, let us always pray for sinners.”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
961: How interesting that the Trinity seems to be amendable to Faustina’s pleadings especially as she calls the Trinity’s attention to the fact that large sacrifices are not possible for her because her superiors have forbidden great penances and mortification due to her compromised, fragile health. Instead she appeals to the Trinity to consider her holy obedience as her great sacrifice. The Lord says in her soul, “My dear daughter, I comply with your request.” What a statement from the Almighty to a humble servant and remember she is begging for the grace of conversion for a multitude.
1783: A thousand souls had received grace through a single simple act on Faustina’s part of immersing herself in prayer and uniting herself with all the Masses that were being celebrated all over the world at this time, especially for poor souls dying at this moment. She implores us always to pray for sinners. This morning as I was praying the Chaplet I was nudged to pray it for a high school classmate of mine, a doctor, who was just charged with sexual solicitation of a patient. I’d known about the charges for several days and felt disgust and aversion, but this morning came the urge to pray for him. Bonnie.
961: I delight with the bantering and negotiating St. Faustina does with the Lord. Her persistence and confidence, presuming that the Lord will accept her sacrificial “mere nothings (her crochet stitches!) stamped with the seal of obedience as great things.” And the Lord accepts her offering for the conversion of souls. Quite a lesson and assurance for us while doing our daily offerings of “mere nothings!”
1783: And then the paradox of sacrificial stitches versus Mass! To go from stitches to “all the Masses that were being celebrated all over the world at that time.” Wow, how is that for a soul saver? “…a thousand souls had received grace through the prayerful meditation I had offered to God.” What power in the attitude and consciousness of the greatness of the One Perfect Sacrifice of the Mass… the re-presentation of Christ’s ultimate sacrificial death on the Cross. What would happen if every Catholic in the world (one billion plus) would pray this way? Gene.
- Colette
May 13th, 2016 - 08:53#961
I think what grabbed my attention was the phrase, “every conversion of a sinful soul demands sacrifice.” To pray for someone you know that appears on the precipice of loosing his or her soul is a given. To understand that some sort of sacrifice is required, takes it to another level of caring for that person. It certainly deepens the prayer experience. I really need to keep that in mind when I do pray for that person.
#1783
Again, St. Faustina reminds us of the necessity of prayers for sinners. For those fortunate souls who can frequent daily Mass or remembers to unite their prayers at any Mass they attend with Masses said around the world that day for sinners is a very meaningful & powerful way of praying for them. I honestly don’t think I ever gave mind to considering uniting my prayers with those being said around the world. What a powerful thought that is!
We may never know the extent our prayers are heard & responded to. It appears our faithfulness to this form of prayer is very important. We are so blessed to have the benefit of knowing all the discussions, visions, etc.,, that Faustina had during that period in her life.God bless, Colette
#961
Colette, the phrase about “…sacrifice” – also adds a new dimension to what I understand about prayer; having some soul benefit from my prayer is not just a trivial reward (couldn’t think of a better word) . The other thought that came to mind while reading is how again God shows us that a persistent soul asking for their intentions (our Reading 3 #294) is encouraged by Him. Keep asking and don’t stop.#1783
After reading this passage, I now know there is a “…number of souls…” (not just a abstract maybe) souls that truly receive help from our prays. This helps with my daily prayers – I sometimes have a problem finding a soul or an intention to pray for; creating another way for all of us to unite our prayers with all praying at that moment, to make our small prayer immensely purposeful.The theme of this whole diary is to pray for sinners. God is Love, and he wants us to love all His people, even the sinners. It is quite obvious to me that the chaplet was given to us to save sinners.
Saint John Vianney, French Priest, 19th. century, said it so well. “Our sins are nothing but a grain of sand alongside the great mountain of the mercy of God”
I will say the Rosary for personal intentions that to me are important. I will say the chaplet for God’s mercy on us sinners.
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Reading Assignment #31: Diary entry 1540, and 1541
“1540 (124) January 28, 1938. Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, write down these words: All those souls who will glorify My mercy and spread its worship, encouraging others to trust in My mercy, will not experience terror at the hour of death. My mercy will shield them in that final battle…
1541 My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.
Write this for the benefit of distressed souls; when a soul sees and realizes the gravity of it sins, when the whole abyss of the misery into which it immersed itself is displayed before its eyes, let it not despair, but with trust let it throw itself into the arms of My mercy, as a child into the arms of its beloved mother. These souls (125) have a right of priority to My compassionate Heart, they have first access to My mercy. Tell them that no soul that has called upon My mercy[…]”
Excerpt From: Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. “Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” iBooks.
Hello everyone!
The only thought I had about these passages that wasn’t already better said by everyone else is that they sort of reinforced for me how Christianity is a bit of a paradox. I think G.K. Chesterton talked about that a lot, but I could be mistaken. You know, like how the first shall be last and the last shall be first, in order to be rich we have to become poor, wise we have to become simple, that sort of thing. Anyway, the whole point about how the people that need His Mercy the most are the ones that have first dibs on it…..that’s not usually how we humans operate, is it? At least I don’t anyway, I’m much more interested in seeing justice served than mercy given I think. But what a comforting thought…..that even though I screw up so badly and so often, even though what I deserve for the things I’ve done is eternal separation from Him, He still forgives me and wants to be merciful to me, if only I ask Him for it. What a great and wonderful God we serve!
- Colette
February 7th, 2016 - 09:44#1540
Again, we are not to keep this awareness of His Divine Mercy to ourselves but readily share it with anyone we come up to who is in need of hearing this message of hope & mercy. One part of a sentence that struck me, was, “will not experience terror @ the hour of death,” leads me to believe this earth has quite a “purification,” in it’s future.#1541
In this reading the 1st paragraph refers to sharing with others the chaplet. The part where He would grant all they ask for, is incredible. I;m sure the granting of such favors would only be to help their souls. Then He mentions the last hour of their death being a peaceful/happy one. This is very reassuring.
The 2nd paragraph Our Lord refers to enlightening distressed souls to the depths of their sins & asks them to turn to His mercy, never despairing. This made me think of somewhere in the bible where the question was asked about our sins being exposed to all — who could endure it? We must stay focused on His compassionate heart. There is our salvation.
How hopeful the last part of this reading is! If we pray the chaplet before a dying person- Christ will stand between us & His Father & be the merciful Savior. What incredible hope for all of us!!!
God bless, Colette
My first thought after reading both of these passages was of being with my Mom right before she died. I just wished I had the chaplet to say for her because she was so scared. Knowing what a powerful prayer it is, it would have been the perfect help for her. Sister Gabriel and I just talked to her about Jesus and His love. I trust in His mercy that He was with her and the prayers for her and my Dad were answered. I feel so fortunate and blessed I had them for parents.
The chaplet is part of my life every day!! With all the chaos in this world and the problems in the USA it is comforting to know that this prayer is so powerful!! We do have to TRUST in His mercy.
- Gene Bonnie
February 7th, 2016 - 09:48Greetings,
1540 & 1541. Taking both of these selections together these are quite incredible promises: 1.) That if I glorify His Mercy and promote devotion to His Divine Mercy, I will be shielded at the hour of my death from any terror; 2.) (In praying the chaplet we ask “atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world”) it pleases our Lord to grant everything asked by the chaplet (in which we ask atonement); 3.) Our prayers as members of the faithful, in God’s economy, are applied to hardened sinners who will receive peace and a happy death.
As an aside, one of those Gene and I mourn who died recently emailed us in April, “Thanks for the Divine Mercy card. Divine Mercy Sunday is probably the most eagerly awaited weekend for me each year. What a gift to everyone.” Jesus, through St. Faustina urges us to promote this gift. Jesus then addresses distressed souls, those overwhelmed by the gravity of their sins — Do not despair. Throw yourself on My Mercy as a child into your mother’s arms — you have 1st access to My Mercy! Note this is all recorded around the end of January, 1938, the year of St. Faustina’s death in October. Bonnie.
I am reminded of my year at Alexian Brothers Hospital being trained as a Chaplain after I retired in 1992. Each day consisted of the morning teachings with the afternoon for on the floor “practice.” During that year I attended over 100 plus deaths ministering to those dying as well as their families, and if appropriate praying together with them. I wish I knew the Chaplet then. “… when they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the Just Judge, but as the Merciful Savior.” Lord, could my Chaplets now be retroactive?! Gene.
- Brother Bill
February 7th, 2016 - 09:50Peace,
I regret not knowing the power of the Divine Mercy chaplet, earlier in my life; So many people I could have prayed the chaplet for during their last moments on earth. Now, as knowledge of the power of Divine Mercy unfolds for me, I again feel a “call to action” to promote God’s Mercy. I know my efforts are small and sometimes – one step forward and two steps back – but I pray I may continue. That sentence also struck me ” Will not experience …..” and got my attention too.
God continually reassures me that saying the chaplet is part of His goodness; throughout the Diary, He states His desire to give us Mercy. The promises of what saying the chaplet will bring is something I am trying to get my arms around and understand. I am comforted and appreciate knowing that the “distressed” (def. suffering from anxiousness, sorrow, or pain) “have first access to His Mercy” and I pray, given the opportunity, I may share His Mercy with the distressed people I meet.
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March 10th, 2020 - 07:38
Peace,
#1565
God saying to one of His creation “…help Me…” – How powerful is this prayer and the promise that comes with the prayer !!! How great is the value of a individual soul !!! I definitely regret not knowing this prayer many years ago when some of the dearest people to me passed away.
I truly appreciate the reaffirmation (of the existence) of the Guardian Angel and how they serve the soul. Mine has worked overtime a lot.
God’s Love
BB/UB/FB
March 20th, 2020 - 06:37
#1565 (Bonnie): The Chaplet appeases the anger of God for the dying soul. By means of another praying for a “certain dying sinner” he went from torment and struggle to peacefully breathing his last. Notice how Jesus taught Faustina by having her say the Chaplet. He taught her about the power of the Chaplet by having her pray it for someone who was dying, giving her a vision of that soul and of the demons fighting and waiting for this soul; then the power of the Chaplet by giving her the vision of the man being enveloped by the rays issuing from the heart of Jesus before peacefully breathing his last.
#1565 (Gene): “The rays which issued from Jesus’ Heart enveloped the sick man, and the powers of darkness fled in panic. The sick man peacefully breathed his last….I understood how very important the chaplet was for the dying.” After daily Mass, when we attend, a small group prays the Rosary and the Chaplet. One of the prayer intentions for the Chaplet is for those that are dying that day. One wonders how those prayers might have affected 7! dear friends and relatives who have recently died in the past than 6 months. Christ’s solemn instructions to St. Faustina, …”help Me to save a certain dying sinner.” Are we not, then, encouraged to participate in His Redemptive action…an infinitesimally small bit player at that? I made up a verb….the Lord “infinitizes” (makes infinite!) our prayerful actions utilizing His, not our, power, of course!
March 20th, 2020 - 06:38
#1565
What struck me was the enormous importance of praying for someone who is truly unable to pray for themselves because of the severity their souls are in at the time of dying. What chilling image it was for me to imagine devils sitting around & just waiting for them to die so they then are free to take them. After that she writes about the imagine of Divine Mercy coming to that soul & how the demons run in virtual panic. I think we need to keep that image in mind of those we know about & those who are yet to come into our lives, especially, at the time of death. We must pray the chaplet every time the situation for those souls arise. What a Merciful God we all have.
March 20th, 2020 - 06:39
This soul had to be one of his chosen! I can’t help but think of “The Lord’s Prayer”. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The power of the Chaplet He gave us is really demonstrated in this entry. I read in “The Observer” about a priest saying the Chaplet over a dying person and how it greatly influenced his life. This passage was so profound.