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.

 

4 thoughts on “Reading Assignment #33: 916, 926”

  1. #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.

  2. 916: 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.

  3. 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!

  4. #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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