Nothing But the Truth
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Wednesday of the
Sixth Week of Easter
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Father John Doyle, LC
John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his
disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He
will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare
to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take
from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is
mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and
declare it to you."
Introductory Prayer:
Lord, as I begin
this prayer I offer You my whole self: my thoughts, desires, decisions,
actions, hopes, fears, weaknesses, failures and petty successes. I open my
entire being to You, aware that You know everything already. I’m certain of Your
mercy and of the purifying power of Your penetrating, loving gaze.
Petition: Lord, allow me to be sincerely and
truthfully Yours.
1. My Truth Before
God: Jesus tells his
apostles he has many more things to tell them, but it seems that they are not
yet ready to accept the truth. They were not ready, for one thing, to
acknowledge the fact that in a few short hours all of them would flee before
the prospect of the Cross, leaving Christ quite alone. I, too, may find it
hard to see, or to accept, a realistic picture of my relationship with Christ
or my state of soul. I may justify myself or my indifference with any number
of psychological consolations. I might convince myself that I am not quite as
bad off as so-and-so. Perhaps I put up an excellent external show, living all
the motions, but with little true conviction and sincerity.
2. Cheap Deceptions:
In our
consumer-oriented world, first impressions often seem to count more than the
goodness or evil of a thing. Opinion polls appear to set the standard for
right and wrong, and a false idea of tolerance is a highly held ideal. Truth
can be seen as bluntly offensive, and so it is repackaged in a more appealing
way. However, none of these attempts by the “spirit of the world” can ever
succeed in the end, just as no amount of darkness can ever stop the smallest
beam of light. The Holy Spirit is at work in the world declaring the truth
loud and clear in the depths of the human soul. Only the truth -- which comes
from Christ -- has the power to bring true peace and joy to the human heart
when all illusions are shown up as such.
3. Living in the
Truth: As Christians we
must be on guard against the spirit of insincerity. No one who lives outside
the truth can claim to be a disciple of Christ. Little falsehoods in our
lives are utterly destructive to the action of the “Spirit of Truth” in our
souls. Our Savior never spoke out so strongly against anything as he did
against the pretended righteousness of the leaders of his time. How many
things have I done recently just to be praised by others? How many good
things have I done which are known to God alone? Am I capable of standing
firm to my convictions in the face of misunderstanding or ridicule?
Conversation with
Christ: Jesus, the example
of Your life and death is one of complete honesty. Empower me through the
“Spirit of Truth” to be sincere in all that I do before God and others.
Resolution: I will ask forgiveness in the sacrament of
reconciliation at the first available opportunity for any insincerity in my
life.
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Excerpts from the DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
56 O my God, I understand well that You
demand this spiritual childhood[32]
of me, because You are constantly asking it of me through Your representatives.
At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His holy will in all things, because from the beginning I have been aware of my weakness. I know very well what I am of myself, because for this purpose Jesus has opened the eyes of my soul; I am an abyss of misery, and hence I understand that whatever good there is in my soul consists solely of His holy grace. The knowledge of my own misery allows me, at the same time, to know the immensity of Your mercy. In my own interior life, I am looking with one eye at the abyss of my misery and baseness, and with the other, at the abyss of Your mercy, O God.
At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His holy will in all things, because from the beginning I have been aware of my weakness. I know very well what I am of myself, because for this purpose Jesus has opened the eyes of my soul; I am an abyss of misery, and hence I understand that whatever good there is in my soul consists solely of His holy grace. The knowledge of my own misery allows me, at the same time, to know the immensity of Your mercy. In my own interior life, I am looking with one eye at the abyss of my misery and baseness, and with the other, at the abyss of Your mercy, O God.
148 +A noble and delicate soul, even the most
simple, but one of delicate sensibilities, sees God in everything, finds Him
everywhere, and knows how to find Him in even the most hidden things. It finds
all things important, it highly appreciates all things, it thanks God for all
things, it draws profit for the soul from all things, and it gives all glory to
God. It places its trust in God and is not confused when the time of ordeals comes.
It knows that God is always the best of Fathers and makes little of human
opinion. It follows faithfully the faintest breath of the Holy Spirit; it
rejoices in this Spiritual Guest and holds onto Him like a child to its mother.
Where other souls come to a standstill and fear, this soul passes on without
fear or difficulty.
167 Today [November, 1932], I arrived in
Warsaw for the third probation. After a cordial meeting with the dear Mothers,
I went into the small chapel for a moment. Suddenly God's presence filled my
soul, and I heard these words, My daughter, I desire that your heart be
formed after the model of My merciful Heart. You must be completely imbued with
My mercy.
Dear Mother Directress [Margaret]
at once asked me whether I had had a retreat that year, and I said no. "Then you must first have a retreat of at least three days." Thanks be to God there was at Walendows[57] an eight-day retreat in which I could take part. But difficulties arose in regard to my leaving for this retreat. A certain person opposed my going very much, and it already [appeared that] I was not to go. After dinner, I went into the chapel for a five-minute adoration. Suddenly I saw the Lord Jesus, who said to me, My daughter, I am preparing many graces for you, which you will receive during this retreat which you will begin tomorrow. I answered, "Jesus, the retreat has already begun, and I am not supposed to go." And He said to me, Get ready for it, because you will begin the retreat tomorrow. And as for your departure, I will arrange that with the superiors. And in an instant, Jesus disappeared.
I began to wonder how this was going to happen. But after a moment I rejected all such thoughts and devoted the time I had to prayer, begging the Holy Spirit for light to see the whole misery that I am. After a short while, I left the little chapel to go about my duties. Soon Mother General [Michael] called me and said, "Sister, you will go to Walendow today with Mother Valeria so that you can start the retreat tomorrow. Fortunately, Mother Valeria happens to be here and you can go together." Within two hours I was already in Walendow. I reflected for a moment within myself and recognized that only Jesus can arrange things in such a way.
Dear Mother Directress [Margaret]
at once asked me whether I had had a retreat that year, and I said no. "Then you must first have a retreat of at least three days." Thanks be to God there was at Walendows[57] an eight-day retreat in which I could take part. But difficulties arose in regard to my leaving for this retreat. A certain person opposed my going very much, and it already [appeared that] I was not to go. After dinner, I went into the chapel for a five-minute adoration. Suddenly I saw the Lord Jesus, who said to me, My daughter, I am preparing many graces for you, which you will receive during this retreat which you will begin tomorrow. I answered, "Jesus, the retreat has already begun, and I am not supposed to go." And He said to me, Get ready for it, because you will begin the retreat tomorrow. And as for your departure, I will arrange that with the superiors. And in an instant, Jesus disappeared.
I began to wonder how this was going to happen. But after a moment I rejected all such thoughts and devoted the time I had to prayer, begging the Holy Spirit for light to see the whole misery that I am. After a short while, I left the little chapel to go about my duties. Soon Mother General [Michael] called me and said, "Sister, you will go to Walendow today with Mother Valeria so that you can start the retreat tomorrow. Fortunately, Mother Valeria happens to be here and you can go together." Within two hours I was already in Walendow. I reflected for a moment within myself and recognized that only Jesus can arrange things in such a way.
170 The first day of the retreat. I tried to
be the first in the chapel in the morning; before the meditation I had a bit of
time for prayer to the Holy Spirit and to Our Lady. I earnestly begged the
Mother of God to obtain for me the grace of fidelity to these inner
inspirations and of faithfully carrying out God's will, whatever it might be. I
began this retreat with a very special kind of courage.
248 The words of the Bishop [Rospond[73]],
spoken at the ceremony of the taking of perpetual vows: "Accept this
candle as a sign of heavenly light and of burning love." While giving the
ring: "I betroth you to Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father Most High; may
He keep you unblemished. Take this ring as a sign of the eternal covenant you
are making with Christ, the Spouse of Virgins. May it be for you the ring of
faith and the sign of the Holy Spirit, that you may be called the bride of
Christ and, if you serve Him faithfully, be crowned [as such] for all eternity.
291 On a certain occasion, I saw a person
about to commit a mortal sin. I asked the Lord to send me the greatest torments
so that that soul could be saved. Then I suddenly felt the terrible pain of a
crown of thorns on my head. It lasted for quite a long time, but that person
remained in the Lord's grace. 0 my Jesus, how very easy it is to become holy;
all that is needed is a bit of good will. If Jesus sees this little bit of good
will in the soul, He hurries to give himself to the soul, and nothing can stop
Him, neither shortcomings nor falls-absolutely nothing. Jesus is anxious to
help that soul, and if it is faithful to this grace from God, it can very soon
attain the highest holiness possible for a creature here on earth. God is very
generous and does not deny His grace to anyone. Indeed He gives more than what
we ask of Him. Faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit-that is the
shortest route.
356 O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the
testament of God's mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus as proof of infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained life eternal and of infinite mercy, dispensed in abundance to us and especially to poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the mercy of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit toward us, and especially toward poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the infinite price of mercy which will compensate for all our debts, and especially those of poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the fountain of living water which springs from infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the fire of purest love which blazes forth from the bosom of the Eternal Father, as from an abyss of infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the medicine for all our infirmities, flowing from infinite mercy, as from a fount, for us and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the union between God and us through His infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom are contained all the sentiments of the most sweet Heart of Jesus toward us, and especially poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in all the sufferings and adversities of life.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of darkness and of storms within and without.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in life and at the hour of our death.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of adversities and floods of despair.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of falsehood and treason.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of the darkness and godlessness which inundate the earth. O Blessed Host, our only hope in the longing and pain in which no one will understand us.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the toil and monotony of everyday life.
O Blessed Host, our only hope amid the ruin of our hopes and endeavors.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of the ravages of the enemy and the efforts of hell.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when the burdens are beyond my strength and I find my efforts are fruitless.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when storms toss my heart about and my fearful spirit tends to despair.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my heart is about to tremble and mortal sweat moistens my brow.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when everything conspires against me and black despair creeps into my soul.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my eyes will begin to grow dim to all temporal things and, for the first time, my spirit will behold the unknown worlds.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my tasks will be beyond my strength and adversity will become my daily lot.
O Blessed Host I trust in You when the practice of virtue will appear difficult for me and my nature will grow rebellious.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when hostile blows will be aimed against me.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my toils and efforts will be misjudged by others.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when Your judgments will resound over me; it is then that I will trust in the sea of Your mercy.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus as proof of infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained life eternal and of infinite mercy, dispensed in abundance to us and especially to poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the mercy of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit toward us, and especially toward poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the infinite price of mercy which will compensate for all our debts, and especially those of poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the fountain of living water which springs from infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the fire of purest love which blazes forth from the bosom of the Eternal Father, as from an abyss of infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the medicine for all our infirmities, flowing from infinite mercy, as from a fount, for us and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom is contained the union between God and us through His infinite mercy for us, and especially for poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, in whom are contained all the sentiments of the most sweet Heart of Jesus toward us, and especially poor sinners.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in all the sufferings and adversities of life.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of darkness and of storms within and without.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in life and at the hour of our death.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of adversities and floods of despair.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of falsehood and treason.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of the darkness and godlessness which inundate the earth. O Blessed Host, our only hope in the longing and pain in which no one will understand us.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the toil and monotony of everyday life.
O Blessed Host, our only hope amid the ruin of our hopes and endeavors.
O Blessed Host, our only hope in the midst of the ravages of the enemy and the efforts of hell.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when the burdens are beyond my strength and I find my efforts are fruitless.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when storms toss my heart about and my fearful spirit tends to despair.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my heart is about to tremble and mortal sweat moistens my brow.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when everything conspires against me and black despair creeps into my soul.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my eyes will begin to grow dim to all temporal things and, for the first time, my spirit will behold the unknown worlds.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my tasks will be beyond my strength and adversity will become my daily lot.
O Blessed Host I trust in You when the practice of virtue will appear difficult for me and my nature will grow rebellious.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when hostile blows will be aimed against me.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my toils and efforts will be misjudged by others.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when Your judgments will resound over me; it is then that I will trust in the sea of Your mercy.
359 January 10, 1935. +Thursday. In the
evening during benediction,[85]
such thoughts as these began to distress me: Is not perhaps all this that I am
saying about God's great mercy just a lie or an illusion...? And I wanted to
think about this for a while, when I heard a strong and clear inner voice
saying, Everything that
you say about My goodness is true; language has no adequate expression to extol
My goodness. These words were so filled with power and so clear
that I would give my life in declaring they came from God. I can tell this by
the profound peace that accompanied them at that time and that still remains
with me. This peace gives me such great strength and power that all
difficulties, adversities, sufferings, and death itself are as nothing. This
light gave me a glimpse of the truth that all my efforts to bring souls to know
the mercy of the Lord are very pleasing to God. And from this springs such
great joy in my soul that I do not know whether it could be any greater in
heaven. Oh, if souls would only be willing to listen, at least a little, to the
voice of conscience and the voicethat is, the inspirations-of the Holy Spirit!
I say "at least a little," because once we open ourselves to the
influence of the Holy Spirit, He himself will fulfill what is lacking in us.
392 The Lord God grants His graces in two
ways: by inspiration and by enlightenment. If we ask God for a grace, He will
give it to us; but let us be willing to accept it. And in order to accept it,
self-denial is needed. Love does not consist in words or feelings, but in
deeds. It is an act of the will; it is a gift; that is to say, a giving. The
reason, the will, the heart-these three faculties must be exercised during
prayer. I will rise from the dead in Jesus, but first I must live in Him. If I
do not separate myself from the Cross, then the Gospel will be revealed in me.
Jesus in me makes up for all my deficiencies. His grace operates without
ceasing. The Holy Trinity grants me Its life abundantly, by the gift of the
Holy Spirit. The Three Divine Persons live in me. When God loves, He loves with
all His Being, with all the power of His Being. If God has loved me in this
way, how should I respond I, His spouse?
451
Once after Holy Communion, I heard these words: You are Our dwelling place. At that
moment, I felt in my soul the presence of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit. I felt that I was the temple of God. I felt I was a child
of the Father. I cannot explain all this, but the spirit understands it well. O
infinite Goodness, how low You stoop to Your miserable creature!
472 I knew, more distinctly than ever before,
the Three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But their
being, their equality and their majesty are one. My soul is in communion with
these Three; but I do not know how to express this in words; yet my soul
understands it well. Whoever is united to One of the Three Persons is thereby
united to the whole Blessed Trinity, for this Oneness is indivisible. This
vision, or rather, this knowledge filled my soul with unimaginable happiness,
because God is so great. What I am describing I did not see with my eyes, as on
previous occasions, but in a purely interior manner, in a purely spiritual way,
independent of the senses. This continued until the end of Holy Mass.
This now happens often to me, and not only in the chapel, but also at work and at times when I least expect it.
This now happens often to me, and not only in the chapel, but also at work and at times when I least expect it.
477 Silence is a sword in the spiritual
struggle. A talkative soul will never attain sanctity. The sword of silence
will cut off everything that would like to cling to the soul. We are sensitive
to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to
whether it is God's will that we should speak. A silent soul 14 strong; no
adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is
capable of attaining the closest union with God. It lives almost always under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent soul without
hindrance.
478 O my Jesus, You know, You alone know well
that m heart knows no other love but You! All my virginal love is drowned
eternally in You, O Jesus! I sense keenly ho Your divine Blood is circulating
in my heart; I have no the least doubt that Your most pure love has entered m
heart with Your most sacred Blood. I am aware did You are dwelling in me,
together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, or ratherIam aware that it is I
who it living in You, O incomprehensible God! I am aware that I am dissolving
in You like a drop in an ocean. I am aware that You are within me and all about
me, that You are in all things that surround me, in all that happens to me. O
my God, I have come to know You within my heart, and I have loved You above all
things that exist on earth or in heaven. Our hearts have a mutual
understanding, and no one of humankind will comprehend this.
486 Jesus, when You come to me in Holy
Communion, You who together with the Father and the Holy Spirit have deigned to
dwell in the little heaven of my heart, I try to keep You company throughout
the day, I do not leave You alone for even a moment. Although I am in the
company of other people or with our wards, my heart is always united to Him.
When I am asleep I offer Him every beat of my heart; when I awaken I immerse
myself in Him without saying a word. When I awaken I adore the Holy Trinity for
a short while and thank God for having deigned to give me yet another day, that
the mystery of the incarnation of His Son may once more be repeated in me, and
that once again His sorrowful Passion may unfold before my eyes. I then try to
make it easier for Jesus to pass through me to other souls. I go everywhere
with Jesus; His presence accompanies me everywhere.
501 Oh, how great is Your beauty, Jesus my
Spouse! Living Flower enclosing life-giving dew for a thirsting soul! My soul
is drowned in You. You alone are the object of my desires and strivings. Unite
me as closely as possible to Yourself, to the Father and to the Holy Spirit.
Let me live and die in You.
525 O Holy Trinity, in whom is contained the
inner life of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, eternal joy,
inconceivable depth of love, poured out upon all creatures and constituting
their happiness, honor and glory be to Your holy name forever and ever. Amen.
When I consider Your greatness and beauty, O my God, I rejoice exceedingly that the Lord I serve is so great. With love and joy I carry out His will, and the more I come to know Him, the more I desire to love Him. I burn with the desire to love Him ever more and more.
When I consider Your greatness and beauty, O my God, I rejoice exceedingly that the Lord I serve is so great. With love and joy I carry out His will, and the more I come to know Him, the more I desire to love Him. I burn with the desire to love Him ever more and more.
552 In addition to the vows, I see one rule
as most important. Although all the rules are important, I put this one in
first place, and it is silence. Truly, if this rule were to be observed
strictly, I would not worry about the others. Women are very fond of talking,
but the Holy Spirit does not speak to a soul that is distracted and garrulous.
He speaks by His quiet inspirations to a soul that is recollected, to a soul
that knows how to keep silence. If silence were strictly observed, there would
not be any grumbling, bitterness, slandering, or gossip, and charity would not
be tarnished. In a word, many wrongs would not be done. Silent lips are pure
gold and bear witness to holiness within.
647 From this, I came to understand one
thing: that I must pray much for each of my confessors, that he might obtain
the light of the Holy Spirit, for when I approach the confessional without
first praying, fervently, the confessor does not understand me very well.
Father encouraged me to pray fervently for these intentions, that God would
give better knowledge and understanding of the things He is asking of me.
"Make novena after novena, Sister, and God will not refuse the
graces."
June, 1936. Conversation with Father A.
[Andrasz]
658 "Know that these are hard and difficult things. Your principal spiritual director is the Holy Spirit. We can only give direction to these inspirations, but your real director is the Holy Spirit. If you yourself have decided to leave, Sister, I neither prohibit nor order you to do so. You take the responsibility for yourself. I say this to you, Sister: you can begin to take action. You are capable of doing so, and therefore you can do so. These things are indeed probable; all you have told me up to now [before perpetual vows in Cracow in 1933] speaks in favor of taking action. Still, you have to be very careful in all this. Pray much and ask that I be given light."
658 "Know that these are hard and difficult things. Your principal spiritual director is the Holy Spirit. We can only give direction to these inspirations, but your real director is the Holy Spirit. If you yourself have decided to leave, Sister, I neither prohibit nor order you to do so. You take the responsibility for yourself. I say this to you, Sister: you can begin to take action. You are capable of doing so, and therefore you can do so. These things are indeed probable; all you have told me up to now [before perpetual vows in Cracow in 1933] speaks in favor of taking action. Still, you have to be very careful in all this. Pray much and ask that I be given light."
734 I see that Jesus himself is acting in my
soul during this retreat. And as for me, I try only to be faithful to His
grace. I have submitted my soul completely to the influence of God. This Mighty
Ruler of Heaven has taken entire possession of my soul. I feel that I am being
lifted up above earth and heaven into the inner life of God, where I come to
know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but always in the unity of
majesty.
777 November 27, [1936]. Today I was in
heaven, in spirit, and I saw its inconceivable beauties and the happiness that
awaits us after death. I saw how all creatures give ceaseless praise and glory
to God. I saw how great is happiness in God, which spreads to all creatures,
making them happy; and then all the glory and praise which springs from this
happiness returns to its source; and they enter into the depths of God,
contemplating the inner life of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
whom they will never comprehend or fathom.
This source of happiness is unchanging in its essence, but it is always new, gushing forth happiness for all creatures. Now I understand Saint Paul, who said, "Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him."
This source of happiness is unchanging in its essence, but it is always new, gushing forth happiness for all creatures. Now I understand Saint Paul, who said, "Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him."
1073 April 4, 1937. Low Sunday; that is, the
Feast of Mercy. In the morning, after Holy Communion, my soul was immersed in
the Godhead. I was united to the Three Divine Persons in such a way that when I
was united to Jesus, I was simultaneously united to the Father and to the Holy
Spirit. My soul was flooded with joy beyond understanding, and the Lord gave me
to experience the whole ocean and abyss of His fathomless mercy. Oh, if only
souls would want to understand how much God loves them! All comparisons, even
if they were the most tender and the most vehement, are but a mere shadow when
set against the reality.
When I was united to the Lord, I came to know how many souls are glorifying God's mercy.
When I was united to the Lord, I came to know how many souls are glorifying God's mercy.
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.
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 the Lord is demanding at that particular moment....
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 the Lord is demanding at that particular moment....
1106 + 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...
1174 July 4, 1937. First Sunday of the month.
Monthly retreat.
This evening, I prepared with great care and prayed long to the Holy Spirit that He might deign to grant me His light and take me under His special guidance; [I prayed] also to Our Lady, to my Guardian Angel, and to our patron saints. [200]
Monthly retreat.
This evening, I prepared with great care and prayed long to the Holy Spirit that He might deign to grant me His light and take me under His special guidance; [I prayed] also to Our Lady, to my Guardian Angel, and to our patron saints. [200]
1286 + Thank You, O God, for all the
graces
Which unceasingly You lavish upon me,
Graces which enlighten me with the brilliance of the sun,
For by them You show me the sure way.
Thank You, 0 Lord, for creating me,
For calling me into being from nothingness,
For imprinting Your divinity on my soul,
The work of sheer merciful love.
Thank You, O God, for Holy Baptism
Which engrafted me into Your family,
A gift great beyond all thought or expression
Which transforms my soul.
Thank You, O Lord, for Holy Confession,
For that inexhaustible spring of great mercy,
For that inconceivable fountain of graces
In which sin-tainted souls become purified.
Thank You, O Jesus, for Holy Communion
In which You give us Yourself.
I feel Your Heart beating within my breast
As You cause Your divine life to unfold within me.
Thank You, O Holy Spirit, for the Sacrament of Confirmation,
Which dubs me Your knight
And gives strength to my soul at each moment,
Protecting me from evil.
Thank You, O God, for the grace of a vocation.
For being called to serve You alone,
Leading me to make You my sole love,
An unequal honor for my soul.
Thank You, O Lord, for perpetual vows,
For that union of pure love,
For having deigned to unite Your pure heart with mine
And uniting my heart to Yours in the purest of bonds.
Thank You, O Lord, for the Sacrament of Anointing
Which, in my final moments, will give me strength;
My help in battle, my guide to salvation,
Fortifying my soul till we rejoice forever.
Thank You, O God, for all the inspirations
That Your goodness lavishes upon me,
For the interior lights given my soul,
Which the heart senses, but words cannot express.
Thank You, O Holy Trinity, for the vastness of the graces
Which You have lavished on me unceasingly through life.
My gratitude will intensify as the eternal dawn rises,
When, for the first time, I sing to Your glory.
Which unceasingly You lavish upon me,
Graces which enlighten me with the brilliance of the sun,
For by them You show me the sure way.
Thank You, 0 Lord, for creating me,
For calling me into being from nothingness,
For imprinting Your divinity on my soul,
The work of sheer merciful love.
Thank You, O God, for Holy Baptism
Which engrafted me into Your family,
A gift great beyond all thought or expression
Which transforms my soul.
Thank You, O Lord, for Holy Confession,
For that inexhaustible spring of great mercy,
For that inconceivable fountain of graces
In which sin-tainted souls become purified.
Thank You, O Jesus, for Holy Communion
In which You give us Yourself.
I feel Your Heart beating within my breast
As You cause Your divine life to unfold within me.
Thank You, O Holy Spirit, for the Sacrament of Confirmation,
Which dubs me Your knight
And gives strength to my soul at each moment,
Protecting me from evil.
Thank You, O God, for the grace of a vocation.
For being called to serve You alone,
Leading me to make You my sole love,
An unequal honor for my soul.
Thank You, O Lord, for perpetual vows,
For that union of pure love,
For having deigned to unite Your pure heart with mine
And uniting my heart to Yours in the purest of bonds.
Thank You, O Lord, for the Sacrament of Anointing
Which, in my final moments, will give me strength;
My help in battle, my guide to salvation,
Fortifying my soul till we rejoice forever.
Thank You, O God, for all the inspirations
That Your goodness lavishes upon me,
For the interior lights given my soul,
Which the heart senses, but words cannot express.
Thank You, O Holy Trinity, for the vastness of the graces
Which You have lavished on me unceasingly through life.
My gratitude will intensify as the eternal dawn rises,
When, for the first time, I sing to Your glory.
1504 + Lord, You know that since my
youth I have always sought Your will and, recognizing it, have always tried to
carry it out. My heart has been accustomed to the inspirations of the Holy
Spirit, to whom I am faithful. In the midst of the greatest din I have heard
the voice of God. I always know what is going on in my interior...
1556 When I had gone to the chapel for
a moment, the Lord gave me to know that, among His chosen ones, there are some
who are especially chosen, and whom He calls to a higher form of holiness, to
exceptional union with Him. These are seraphic souls, from whom God demands
greater love than He does from others. Although all live in the same convent,
yet He sometimes demands of a particular soul a greater degree of love. Such a
soul understands this call, because God makes this known to it interiorly, but
the soul may either follow this call or not. It depends on the soul itself
whether it is faithful to these touches of the Holy Spirit, or whether it
resists them. I have learned that there is a place in purgatory where souls
will pay their debt to God for such transgressions; this kind of torment is the
most difficult of all. The soul which is specially marked by God will be distinguished
everywhere, whether in heaven or in purgatory or in hell. In heaven, it will be
distinguished from other souls by greater glory and radiance and deeper
knowledge of God. In purgatory, by greater pain, because it knows God more
profoundly and desires Him more vehemently. In hell, it will suffer more
profoundly than other souls, because it knows more fully whom it has lost. This
indelible mark of God's exclusive love, in the [soul], will not be obliterated.
1557 O Jesus, keep me in holy fear,
so that I may not waste graces. Help me to be faithful to the inspirations of
the Holy Spirit. Grant that my heart may burst for love of You, rather than I
should neglect even one act of love for You.
1567 As I took the
pen in hand, I addressed a short prayer to the Holy Spirit and said,
"Jesus, bless this pen so that everything You order me to write may be for
the glory of God." Then I heard a voice: Yes, I bless [it], because this writing bears the seal
of obedience to your superior and confessor, and by that very fact I am already
given glory, and many souls will be drawing profit from it. My daughter, I
demand that you devote all your free moments to writing about My goodness and
mercy. It is your office and your assignment throughout your life to continue
to make known to souls the great mercy I have for them and to exhort them to
trust in My bottomless mercy.
1670 + Easter [April 17, 1938]. During
Mass, I thanked the Lord Jesus for having deigned to redeem us and for having
given us that greatest of all gifts; namely, His love in Holy Communion; that
is, His very own Self. At that moment, I was drawn into the bosom of the Most
Holy Trinity, and I was immersed in the love of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit. These moments are hard to describe.
1828 16. + Today, the Majesty of God
is surrounding me. There is no way that I can help myself to prepare better. I
am thoroughly enwrapped in God. My soul is being inflamed by His love. I only
know that I love and am loved. That is enough for me. I am trying my best to be
faithful throughout the day to the Holy Spirit and to fulfill His demands. I am
trying my best for interior silence in order to be able to hear His voice...
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-56, 148, 167, 170, 248,
291, 356, 359)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-392, 451, 472, 477-478,
486, 501 )
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-525-526, 552, 647, 658,
734, 777 )
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1073, 1090, 1106, 1174)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1286)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1504, 1556-1557, 1567)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-VI-1670, 1828)
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