Determined Discipleship
Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew
8:18-22
When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders
to cross to the other side. A scribe approached and said to him, "Teacher,
I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have
dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest
his head." Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me go
first and bury my father." But Jesus answered him, "Follow me, and
let the dead bury their dead."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I
come to You in this meditation ready to do whatever You ask. Left to myself I
often take the easy and convenient path, yet I know the way of a Christian is
through the narrow gate. In You I find the reason to abandon the easy path for
a more perfect mission of love. I’m ready to learn the meaning of Your command:
“Follow me.”
Petition: Lord Jesus, help me to seek true holiness by
following after you.
1. Follow His Footsteps: The transition to becom
ing a disciple is not an easy one. While a disciple generously hands over his
own will to the Lord unconditionally, the scribe in today’s passage still seeks
his own will, as noble as it may be. A disciple is born from an invitation:
“Follow me .” This scribe does not yet have the total freedom of heart that
life with Christ demands. Where do I stand? One becomes identified with Christ
not through a mere accumulation of doctrine, principles and techniques, but by
living a common life with Christ born from union with the Master’s will. May I
hear Christ’s voice setting the pace of holiness in my life and inviting me to
leave behind my own will for the new life he presents.
2. Choosing the Better Way : Christ does not coldly ignore the scribe, but seeks to attract him to a different way of life, a life of simple poverty. Our Lord’s own self-emptying poverty goes beyond the lot of the poorest of men. What Christ’s poverty shows, however, is not misery. Rather, it compels and attracts, for it is an infallible sign of the richness of God from whom Christ lives and moves. Christ’s living example empowers men to leave their world for something better, nobler and more worthy of the life they have been given. May my example also compel others to find a better way, a holier way.
2. Choosing the Better Way : Christ does not coldly ignore the scribe, but seeks to attract him to a different way of life, a life of simple poverty. Our Lord’s own self-emptying poverty goes beyond the lot of the poorest of men. What Christ’s poverty shows, however, is not misery. Rather, it compels and attracts, for it is an infallible sign of the richness of God from whom Christ lives and moves. Christ’s living example empowers men to leave their world for something better, nobler and more worthy of the life they have been given. May my example also compel others to find a better way, a holier way.
3. Shunning Shoddy Sophisms: There is an almost
ruthless quality to Christ’s response to the sophisms and excuses offered to
avoid following him. Detachment from all personal wants and desires is the way
to simplicity of heart. Simplicity of heart requires us to be brutally honest
with ourselves. What comes first in our life? What is really moving our heart
to make the choices we make? Is it God’s will? God’s will for us is never
complicated; perhaps it may be difficult, but it is never complicated.
Sometimes , under the pretext of doing good , we rationalize not doing what is
better. We do not need sophisticated analyses assessing how many obstacles
there are to doing God’s will . All we need to clear the path to its perfect
fulfillment is a generous heart.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know You have
called me; I ask for Your strength to respond with simplicity and fortitude. I
have heard Your voice and I now answer.
Resolution: Today I will live better my vocation in life and,
in particular, fulfill some obligation that I normally put off.
Excerpts from the DIARY of Saint
Faustina Kowalska
186 +Today
Jesus said to me, I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns
in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My
Passion. Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation.
When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of
some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer:
187 "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."
187 "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."
206 The next
day, after Communion, I heard the voice saying, My daughter, look into the
abyss of My mercy and give praise and glory to this mercy of Mine. Do it in
this way: Gather all sinners from the entire world and immerse them in the
abyss of My mercy. I want to give Myself to souls; I yearn for souls, My
daughter. On the day of My feast, the Feast of Mercy, you will go through the
whole world and bring fainting souls to the spring of My mercy. I shall heal
and strengthen them.
280 Jesus
commanded me to celebrate the Feast of God's Mercy on the first Sunday after
Easter. [This I did] through interior recollection and exterior mortification,
wearing the belt for three hours and praying continuously for sinners and for
mercy on the whole world. And Jesus said to me, My eyes rest with pleasure
upon this house today.
308 1934,
Holy Thursday. Jesus said to me, I desire that you make an offering of
yourself for sinners and especially far those souls who have lost hope in God's
mercy.
God and Souls. An Act of Oblation.
309 Before heaven and earth, before all the choirs of Angels, before the Most Holy Virgin Mary, before all the Powers of heaven, I declare to the One Triune God that today, in union with Jesus Christ, Redeemer of souls, I make a voluntary offering of myself for the conversion of sinners, especially for those souls who have lost hope in God's mercy. This offering consists in my accepting, with total subjection to God's will, all the sufferings, fears and terrors with which sinners are filled. In return, I give them all the consolations which my soul receives from my communion with God. In a word, I offer everything for them: Holy Masses, Holy Communions, penances, mortifications, prayers. I do not fear the blows, blows of divine justice, because I am united with Jesus. O my God, in this way I want to make amends to You for the souls that do not trust in Your goodness. I hope against all hope in the ocean of Your mercy. My Lord and my God, my portion-my portion forever, I do not base this act of oblation on my own strength, but on the strength that flows from the merits of Jesus Christ. I will daily repeat this act of self-oblation by pronouncing the following prayer which You yourself have taught me, Jesus:
"O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a Fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You!"
God and Souls. An Act of Oblation.
309 Before heaven and earth, before all the choirs of Angels, before the Most Holy Virgin Mary, before all the Powers of heaven, I declare to the One Triune God that today, in union with Jesus Christ, Redeemer of souls, I make a voluntary offering of myself for the conversion of sinners, especially for those souls who have lost hope in God's mercy. This offering consists in my accepting, with total subjection to God's will, all the sufferings, fears and terrors with which sinners are filled. In return, I give them all the consolations which my soul receives from my communion with God. In a word, I offer everything for them: Holy Masses, Holy Communions, penances, mortifications, prayers. I do not fear the blows, blows of divine justice, because I am united with Jesus. O my God, in this way I want to make amends to You for the souls that do not trust in Your goodness. I hope against all hope in the ocean of Your mercy. My Lord and my God, my portion-my portion forever, I do not base this act of oblation on my own strength, but on the strength that flows from the merits of Jesus Christ. I will daily repeat this act of self-oblation by pronouncing the following prayer which You yourself have taught me, Jesus:
"O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a Fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You!"
319 August
9, 1934. Night adoration on Thursdays.[79]
I made my hour of adoration from eleven o'clock till midnight. I offered it for
the conversion of hardened sinners, especially for those who have lost hope in
God's mercy. I was reflecting on how much God had suffered and on how great was
the love He had shown for us, and on the fact that we still do not believe that
God loves us so much. O Jesus, who can understand this? What suffering it is
for our Savior! How can He convince us of His love if even His death cannot
convince us? I called upon the whole of heaven to join me in making amends to
the Lord for the ingratitude of certain souls.
320 Jesus
made known to me how very pleasing to Him were prayers of atonement. He said to
me, The prayer of a humble and loving soul disarms the anger of My Father
and draws down an ocean of blessings. After the adoration, half way to my
cell, I was surrounded by a , pack of huge black dogs who were jumping and
howling and trying to tear me to pieces. I realized that they were not dogs,
but demons. One of them spoke up in a rage, "Because you have snatched so
many souls away from us this night, we will tear you to pieces." I
answered, "If that is the will of the most merciful God, tear me to
pieces, for I have justly deserved it, because I am the most miserable of all
sinners, and God is ever holy, just, and infinitely merciful." To these
words all the demons answered as one, "Let us flee, for she is not alone;
the Almighty is with her!" And they vanished like dust, like the noise of
the road, while I continued on my way to my cell undisturbed, finishing my Te
Deum and pondering the infinite and unfathomable mercy of God.
324 The next
day, I felt very weak, but experienced no further suffering. After Holy
Communion, I saw the Lord Jesus just as I had seen Him during one adoration.
The Lord's gaze pierced my soul through and through, and not even the least
speck of dust escaped His notice. And I said to Jesus, "Jesus, I thought
You were going to take me. "And Jesus answered, My will has not yet
been fully accomplished in you; you will still remain on earth, but not for
long. I am well pleased with your trust, but your love should be more ardent.
Pure love gives the soul strength at the very moment of dying. When I was dying
on the cross, I was not thinking about Myself, but about poor sinners, and I
prayed for them to My Father. I want your last moments to be completely similar
to Mine on the cross. There is but one price at which souls are bought, and
that is suffering united to My suffering on the cross. Pure love understands
these words; carnal love will never understand them.
349 In the
morning, during meditation, I felt a painful thorn in the left side of my head.
The suffering continued all day. I meditated continually about how Jesus had
been able to endure the pain of so many thorns which made up His crown. I
joined my suffering to the sufferings of Jesus and offered it for sinners. At
four o'clock when I came for adoration, I saw one of our wards offending God
greatly by sins of impure thoughts. I also saw a certain person who was the
cause of her sin. My soul was pierced with fear, and I asked God, for the sake
of Jesus' pain, to snatch her from this terrible misery.
350 Jesus
answered that He would grant her that favor, not for her sake, but for the sake
of my request. Now I understood how much we ought to pray for sinners, and
especially for our wards.
Our life is truly apostolic; I cannot imagine a religious living in one of our houses; that is, in our Community, and not having an apostolic spirit. Zeal for the salvation of souls should burn in our hearts.
Our life is truly apostolic; I cannot imagine a religious living in one of our houses; that is, in our Community, and not having an apostolic spirit. Zeal for the salvation of souls should burn in our hearts.
355
1934-1935. New Year's Eve. I was given permission not to go to sleep, but
rather pray in the chapel. One of the sisters had asked me to offer an hour of
adoration for her. I said yes, and prayed for her for an hour. During the hour,
God gave me to understand how very pleasing this soul was to Him.
I offered the second hour of adoration for the conversion of sinners, and I tried especially to offer expiation to God for the insults that were being committed against Him at this present moment. How greatly God is being offended!
I offered the third hour for my spiritual director. I fervently prayed for light for him in a particular matter. Finally the clock struck twelve, the last hour of the year. I finished it in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and I also started the first hour of the New Year in the Name of the Holy Trinity. I asked each of the Three Persons to bless me and, with great confidence, looked toward the New Year which certainly would not be sparing of suffering.
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.
I offered the second hour of adoration for the conversion of sinners, and I tried especially to offer expiation to God for the insults that were being committed against Him at this present moment. How greatly God is being offended!
I offered the third hour for my spiritual director. I fervently prayed for light for him in a particular matter. Finally the clock struck twelve, the last hour of the year. I finished it in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and I also started the first hour of the New Year in the Name of the Holy Trinity. I asked each of the Three Persons to bless me and, with great confidence, looked toward the New Year which certainly would not be sparing of suffering.
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.
Holy
Trinity, One God,
361 incomprehensible in the greatness of Your mercy for creatures, and especially for poor sinners, You have made known the abyss of Your mercy, incomprehensible and unfathomable [as it is] to any mind, whether of man or angel. Our nothingness and our misery are drowned in Your greatness. O infinite goodness, who can ever praise You sufficiently? Can there be found a soul that understands You in Your love? O Jesus, there are such souls, but they are few.
361 incomprehensible in the greatness of Your mercy for creatures, and especially for poor sinners, You have made known the abyss of Your mercy, incomprehensible and unfathomable [as it is] to any mind, whether of man or angel. Our nothingness and our misery are drowned in Your greatness. O infinite goodness, who can ever praise You sufficiently? Can there be found a soul that understands You in Your love? O Jesus, there are such souls, but they are few.
367 +On one
occasion, Jesus gave me to know that when I pray for intentions which people
are wont to entrust to me, He is always ready to grant His graces, but souls do
not always want to accept them: My Heart overflows with great mercy for
souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am
the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water
flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell
in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. I desire to bestow My graces upon souls,
but they do not want to accept them. You, at least, come to Me as often as
possible and take these graces they do not want to accept. In this way you will
console My Heart. Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many
proofs of love! My Heart drinks only of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of
souls living in the world. They have time for everything, but they have no time
to come to Me for graces.
So I turn to you, you-chosen souls, will you also fail to understand the love of My Heart? Here, too, My Heart finds disappointment; I do not find complete surrender to My love. So many reservations, so much distrust, so much caution. To comfort you, let Me tell you that there are souls living in the world who love Me dearly. I dwell In their hearts with delight. But they are few. In convents too, there are souls that fill My Heart with joy. They bear My features; therefore the Heavenly Father looks upon them with special pleasure. They will be a marvel to Angels and men. Their number is very small. They are a defense for the world before the justice of the Heavenly Father and a means of obtaining mercy for the world. The love and sacrifice of these souls sustain the world in existence. The infidelity of a soul specially chosen by Me wounds My Heart most painfully. Such infidelities are swords which pierce My Heart.
So I turn to you, you-chosen souls, will you also fail to understand the love of My Heart? Here, too, My Heart finds disappointment; I do not find complete surrender to My love. So many reservations, so much distrust, so much caution. To comfort you, let Me tell you that there are souls living in the world who love Me dearly. I dwell In their hearts with delight. But they are few. In convents too, there are souls that fill My Heart with joy. They bear My features; therefore the Heavenly Father looks upon them with special pleasure. They will be a marvel to Angels and men. Their number is very small. They are a defense for the world before the justice of the Heavenly Father and a means of obtaining mercy for the world. The love and sacrifice of these souls sustain the world in existence. The infidelity of a soul specially chosen by Me wounds My Heart most painfully. Such infidelities are swords which pierce My Heart.
384 When I
stayed for adoration from nine to ten o'clock, four other sisters stayed; too.
When 1 approached the altar and began to meditate on the Passion of the Lord
Jesus, a terrible pain immediately filled my soul because of the ingratitude of
so many souls living in the world; but particularly painful was the ingratitude
of souls especially chosen by God. There is no notion or comparison [which can
describe it]. At the sight of this blackest ungratefulness I felt as though my
heart were torn open; my strength failed me completely, and I fell on my face,
not attempting to hide my loud cries. Each time I thought of God's great mercy
and of the ingratitude of souls, pain stabbed at my heart, and I understood how
painfully it wounded the sweetest Heart of Jesus. With a burning heart, I
renewed my act of self-oblation on behalf of sinners.
420 Low
Sunday; that is, the Feast of The Divine Mercy, the conclusion of the Jubilee
of Redemption. When we went to take part in the celebrations, my heart leapt
with joy that the two solemnities were so closely united. I asked God for mercy
on the souls of sinners. Toward the end of the service, when the priest took
the Blessed Sacrament to bless the people, I saw the Lord Jesus as He is
represented in the image. The Lord gave His blessing, and the rays extended
over the whole world. Suddenly, I saw an impenetrable brightness in the form of
a crystal dwelling place, woven together from waves of a brilliance
unapproachable to both creatures and spirits. Three doors led to this
resplendence. At that moment, Jesus, as He is represented in the image, entered
this resplendence through the second door to the Unity within. It is a triple
Unity, which is incomprehensible-which is infinity. I heard a voice, This Feast
emerged from the very depths of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the vast
depths of My tender mercies. Every soul believing and trusting in My mercy will
obtain it. I was overjoyed at the immense goodness and greatness of my God.
423 Praise
the Lord, my soul, for everything, and glorify His mercy, for His goodness is
without end. Everything will pass, but His mercy is without limit or end. And
although evil will attain its measure, in mercy there is no measure.
O my God, even in the punishments You send down upon the earth I see the abyss of Your mercy, for by punishing us here on earth You free us from eternal punishment. Rejoice, all you creatures, for you are closer to God in His infinite mercy than a baby to its mother's heart. O God, You are compassion itself for the greatest sinners who sincerely repent. The greater the sinner, the greater his right to God's mercy.
O my God, even in the punishments You send down upon the earth I see the abyss of Your mercy, for by punishing us here on earth You free us from eternal punishment. Rejoice, all you creatures, for you are closer to God in His infinite mercy than a baby to its mother's heart. O God, You are compassion itself for the greatest sinners who sincerely repent. The greater the sinner, the greater his right to God's mercy.
687 Once, as
I was going down the hall to the kitchen, I heard these words in my soul: Say
unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will
receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners
as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if
he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My
infinite mercy. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire
to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.
699 On one
occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My
inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy [139]
be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that
day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of
graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will
go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness
of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which
grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its
sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel,
will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has
come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its
relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The
Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that
it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not
have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.
730 + In
this retreat, I shall keep you continually close to My Heart, that you may
better know My mercy, that mercy which I have for people and especially for
poor sinners.
741 Today, I
was led by an Angel to the chasms of hell. It is a place of great torture; how
awesomely large and extensive it is! The kinds of tortures I saw: the first
torture that constitutes hell is the loss of God; the second is perpetual
remorse of conscience; the third is that one's condition will never change; the
fourth is the fire that will penetrate the soul without destroying it-a
terrible suffering, since it is a purely spiritual fire, lit by God's anger;
the fifth torture is continual darkness and a terrible suffocating smell, and,
despite the darkness, the devils and the souls of the damned see each other and
all the evil, both of others and their own; the sixth torture is the constant
company of Satan; the seventh torture is horrible despair, hatred of God, vile
words, curses and blasphemies. These are the tortures suffered by all the
damned together, but that is not the end of the sufferings. There are special
tortures destined for particular souls. These are the torments of the senses.
Each soul undergoes terrible and indescribable sufferings, related to the
manner in which it has sinned. There are caverns and pits of torture where one
form of agony differs from another. I would have died at the very sight of
these tortures if the omnipotence of God had not supported me. Let the sinner
know that he will be tortured throughout all eternity, in those senses which he
made use of to sin. I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul
may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been
there, and so no one can say what it is like.
I, Sister Faustina, by the order of God, have visited the abysses of hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence. I cannot speak about it now; but I have received a command from God to leave it in writing. The devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God. What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw. But I noticed one thing: that most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell. When I came to, I could hardly recover from the fright. How terribly souls suffer there! Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners. I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them. O my Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend You by the least sin.
I, Sister Faustina, by the order of God, have visited the abysses of hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence. I cannot speak about it now; but I have received a command from God to leave it in writing. The devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God. What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw. But I noticed one thing: that most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell. When I came to, I could hardly recover from the fright. How terribly souls suffer there! Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners. I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them. O my Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend You by the least sin.
793 I am
reliving these moments with Our Lady. With great longing, I am waiting for the
Lord's coming. Great are my desires. I desire that all humankind come to know
the Lord. I would like to prepare all nations for the coming of the Word
Incarnate. O Jesus, make the fount of Your mercy gush forth more abundantly,
for humankind is seriously ill and thus has more need than ever of Your
compassion. You are a bottomless sea of mercy for us sinners; and the greater
the misery, the more right we have to Your mercy. You are a fount which makes
all creatures happy by Your infinite mercy.
845 Before
the vigil supper, I entered the chapel for a moment to break the wafer
spiritually with those dear to my heart. I presented them all, by name, to
Jesus and begged for graces on their behalf. But that wasn't all. I commended
to the Lord all those who are being persecuted, those who are suffering, those
who do not know His Name, and especially poor sinners. O little Jesus, I
fervently ask You, enclose them all in the ocean of Your incomprehensible
mercy. O sweet little Jesus, here is my heart; let it be a little cozy dwelling
place for Yourself. O Infinite Majesty, with what sweetness You drew close to
us. Here, there is no dread of the thunderbolts of the great Jehovah; here,
there is the sweet little Jesus. Here, no soul is afraid, although Your majesty
has not lessened, but only concealed itself. After supper, I felt very tired
and was in pain. I had to lie down. But I kept vigil with the Most Holy Mother,
awaiting the arrival of the little Child.
873 January
8. On Friday morning, as I was going to the chapel to attend Holy Mass, I
suddenly saw a huge juniper tree on the pavement and in it a horrible cat who,
looking angrily at me, blocked my way to the chapel. One whisper of the name of
Jesus dissipated all that. I offered the whole day for dying sinners. During
Holy Mass, I felt the closeness of the Lord in a special way. After Holy
Communion, I turned my gaze with trust toward the Lord and told him,
"Jesus, I so much desire to tell You something." And the Lord looked
at me with love and said, And what is it that you desire to tell Me?
"Jesus, I beg You, by the inconceivable power of Your mercy, that all the souls who will die today escape the fire of hell, even if they have been the greatest sinners. Today is Friday, the memorial of Your bitter agony on the Cross; because Your mercy is inconceivable, the Angels will not be surprised at this." Jesus pressed me to His Heart and said, My beloved daughter, you have come to know well the depths of My mercy. I will do what you ask, but unite yourself continually with My agonizing Heart and make reparation to My justice. Know that you have asked Me for a great thing, but I see that this was dictated by your pure love for Me; that is why I am complying with your requests.
"Jesus, I beg You, by the inconceivable power of Your mercy, that all the souls who will die today escape the fire of hell, even if they have been the greatest sinners. Today is Friday, the memorial of Your bitter agony on the Cross; because Your mercy is inconceivable, the Angels will not be surprised at this." Jesus pressed me to His Heart and said, My beloved daughter, you have come to know well the depths of My mercy. I will do what you ask, but unite yourself continually with My agonizing Heart and make reparation to My justice. Know that you have asked Me for a great thing, but I see that this was dictated by your pure love for Me; that is why I am complying with your requests.
875 Today, I
experienced a great suffering during the visit of our sisters. I learned of
something that hurt me terribly, but I controlled myself so that the sisters
didn't notice anything. For some time, the pain was tearing my heart apart, but
all that is for the sake of poor sinners.... O Jesus, for poor sinners....
Jesus, my strength, stay close to me, help me....
893 January
22, [1937]. Today is Friday. My soul is in a sea of suffering. Sinners have
taken everything away from me. But that is all right; I have given everything
away for their sake that they might know that You are good and infinitely
merciful. I shall be faithful to You, come rain or shine.
908 + O
Jesus, how sorry I feel for poor sinners. Jesus, grant them contrition and repentance.
Remember Your own sorrowful Passion. I know Your infinite mercy and cannot bear
it that a soul that has cost You so much should perish. Jesus, give me the
souls of sinners; let Your mercy rest upon them. Take everything away from me,
but give me souls. I want to become a sacrificial host for sinners. Let the
shell of my body conceal my offering, for Your Most Sacred Heart is also hidden
in a Host, and certainly You are a living sacrifice.
Transform me into Yourself, O Jesus, that I may be a living sacrifice and pleasing to You. I desire to atone at each moment for poor sinners. The sacrifice of my spirit is hidden under the veil of the body; the human eye does not perceive it, and for that reason it is pure and pleasing to You. O my Creator and Father of great mercy, I trust in You, for You are Goodness Itself. Souls, do not be afraid of God, but trust in Him, for He is good, and His mercy is everlasting.
Transform me into Yourself, O Jesus, that I may be a living sacrifice and pleasing to You. I desire to atone at each moment for poor sinners. The sacrifice of my spirit is hidden under the veil of the body; the human eye does not perceive it, and for that reason it is pure and pleasing to You. O my Creator and Father of great mercy, I trust in You, for You are Goodness Itself. Souls, do not be afraid of God, but trust in Him, for He is good, and His mercy is everlasting.
927 On these
two days, I received Holy Communion as an act of reparation, and I said to the
Lord, "Jesus, I offer everything today for sinners. Let the blows of Your
justice fall on me, and the sea of Your mercy engulf the poor sinners."
And the Lord heard my prayer: many souls returned to the Lord, but I was in
agony under the yoke of God's justice. I felt I was the object of the anger of
the Most High God. By evening my sufferings had reached such a stage of
interior desolation that moans welled up involuntarily from my breast. I locked
the door of my room and began an adoration; that is to say, a Holy Hour.
Interior desolation and an experience of God's justice-that was my prayer; and
the moans and pain that welled up from my soul took the place of a sweet
conversation with the Lord.
929 When I
had rested near His sweetest Heart, I told Him, "Jesus, I have so much to
tell You." And the Lord said to me with great love, Speak, My daughter.
And I started to enumerate the pains of my heart; that is, how greatly
concerned I am for all mankind, that "they all do not know You, and those
who do know You do not love You as You deserve to be loved. I also see how
terribly sinners offend You; and then again, I see how severely the faithful,
especially Your servants, are oppressed and persecuted. And then, too, I see
many souls rushing headlong into the terrible abyss of hell. You see, Jesus,
this is the pain that gnaws at my heart and bones. And, although You show me
special love and inundate my heart with streams of Your joys, nevertheless,
this does not appease the sufferings I have just mentioned, but rather they
penetrate my poor heart all the more acutely. Oh, how ardently I desire that
all mankind turn with trust to Your mercy. Then, seeing the glory of Your name,
my heart will be comforted."
Jesus listened to these outpourings of my heart with gravity and interest, as if He had known nothing about them, and this seemed to make it easier for me to talk. And the Lord said to me, My daughter, those words of your heart are pleasing to Me, and by saying the chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to Me. After these words, I found myself alone, but the presence of God is always in my soul.
Jesus listened to these outpourings of my heart with gravity and interest, as if He had known nothing about them, and this seemed to make it easier for me to talk. And the Lord said to me, My daughter, those words of your heart are pleasing to Me, and by saying the chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to Me. After these words, I found myself alone, but the presence of God is always in my soul.
934 Small
practices for Lent. Although I wish and desire to do so, I cannot practice big
mortifications as before, because I am under the strict surveillance of the
doctor. But I can practice little things: first-sleep without a pillow; keep
myself a little hungry; every day, with my arms outstretched, say the chaplet
which the Lord taught me; occasionally, with arms outstretched, for an
indefinite period of time pray informally. Intention: to beg divine mercy for
poor sinners, and for priests, the power to bring sinful hearts to repentance.
942 February
11, [1937]. Today is Friday. During Mass, I suffered pain in my body: in my
hands, my feet and my side. Jesus is sending me this kind of suffering that I
may make reparation for sinners. The pain is brief, but very severe. I do not
suffer for more than a couple of minutes, but the impression remains for a long
time and is very vivid.
943 + Today,
I feel such desolation in my soul that I do not know how to explain it even to
myself. I would like to hide from people and cry endlessly. No one understands
a heart wounded by love, and when such a heart feels itself abandoned
interiorly, no one can comfort it. O souls of sinners, you have taken the Lord
away from me, but all right, all right; you get to know how sweet the Lord is,
and let the whole sea of bitterness flood my heart. I have given all my divine
comforts to you.
951 + O incomprehensible and
limitless Mercy Divine, To extol and adore You worthily, who can? Supreme
attribute of Almighty God, You are the sweet hope for sinful man.
Into one hymn yourselves unite, stars, earth and sea, and in one accord, thankfully and fervently sing of the incomprehensible Divine Mercy.
Into one hymn yourselves unite, stars, earth and sea, and in one accord, thankfully and fervently sing of the incomprehensible Divine Mercy.
975 Today I
heard these words: Pray for souls that they be not afraid to approach the
tribunal of My mercy. Do not grow weary of praying for sinners. You know what a
burden their souls are to My Heart. Relieve My deathly sorrow; dispense My
mercy.
999 Last
night I was in such pain that I thought it was the end. The doctors could not
diagnose what the sickness was. I felt as if my entrails had been torn to
shreds, but after a few hours of such sufferings I am all right. All this is
for sinners. Let Your mercy descend upon them, O Lord.
1059 Jesus
is commanding me to make a novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today I am to
begin it for the conversion of the whole world and for the recognition of The
Divine Mercy... so that every soul will praise My goodness. I desire trust
from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy.
Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more
sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the
unmeasurable depths of My mercy.
1062 + I
made an hour of adoration in thanksgiving for the graces which had been granted
me and for my illness. Illness also is a great grace. I have been ill for four
months, but I do not recall having wasted so much as a minute of it. All has
been for God and souls; I want to be faithful to Him everywhere.
During this adoration, I realized the utter care and goodness that Jesus has been lavishing upon me and the protection He has given me against all evil. I thank You especially, Jesus, for visiting me in my solitude, and I thank You also for inspiring my superiors to send me for this treatment. Give them, Jesus, the omnipotence of Your blessing and compensate them for all the losses incurred because of me.
During this adoration, I realized the utter care and goodness that Jesus has been lavishing upon me and the protection He has given me against all evil. I thank You especially, Jesus, for visiting me in my solitude, and I thank You also for inspiring my superiors to send me for this treatment. Give them, Jesus, the omnipotence of Your blessing and compensate them for all the losses incurred because of me.
1063 Today,
Jesus is bidding me to comfort and reassure a certain soul who has opened
herself to me and told me about her difficulties. This soul is pleasing to the
Lord, but she is not aware of it. God is keeping her in deep humility. I have
carried out the Lord's directives.
1064 + O my
most sweet Master, good Jesus, I give You my heart. You shape and mold it after
Your liking. O fathomless love, I open the calyx of my heart to You, like a
rosebud to the freshness of dew. To You alone, my Betrothed, is known the
fragrance of the flower of my heart. Let the fragrance of my sacrifice be
pleasing to You. O Immortal God, my everlasting delight, already here on earth
You are my heaven. May every beat of my heart be a new hymn of praise to You, O
Holy Trinity! Had I as many hearts as there are drops of water in the ocean or
grains of sand in the whole world, I would offer them all to You, O my Love, O
Treasure of my heart! Whomever I shall meet in my life, no matter who they may
be, I want to draw them all to love You, O my Jesus, my Beauty, my Repose, my
sole Master, Judge, Savior and Spouse, all in one; I know that one title will
modify the other-I have entrusted everything to Your mercy.
1065 + My
Jesus, support me when difficult and stormy days come, days of testing, days of
ordeal, when suffering and fatigue begin to oppress my body and my soul.
Sustain me, Jesus, and give me strength to bear suffering. Set a guard upon my
lips that they may address no word of complaint to creatures. Your most
merciful Heart is all my hope. I have nothing for my defense but only Your
mercy; in it lies all my trust.
1122 God of
great mercy, who deigned to send us Your only begotten Son as the greatest
proof of Your fathomless love and mercy, You do not reject sinners; but in Your
boundless mercy You have opened for them also Your treasures, treasures from
which they can draw abundantly, not only justification, but also all the
sanctity that a soul can attain. Father of great mercy, I desire that all
hearts turn with confidence to Your infinite mercy. No one will be justified
before You if he is not accompanied by Your unfathomable mercy. When You reveal
the mystery of Your mercy to us, there will not be enough of eternity to
properly thank You for it.
1123 Oh, how sweet it is to have in the depth of one's soul that which the Church tells us we must believe. When my soul is immersed in love, I solve the most intricate questions clearly and quickly. Only love is able to cross over precipices and mountain peaks. Love, once again, love.
1123 Oh, how sweet it is to have in the depth of one's soul that which the Church tells us we must believe. When my soul is immersed in love, I solve the most intricate questions clearly and quickly. Only love is able to cross over precipices and mountain peaks. Love, once again, love.
1396 Today I
heard a voice in my soul: Oh, if sinners knew My mercy, they would not
perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach
Me; speak to them of My great mercy.
1397 The
Lord said to me, The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You
always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me is
prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is
always heard and answered.
1446 The
Lord said to me, It should be of no concern to you how anyone else acts; you
are to be My living reflection, through love and mercy. I answered,
"Lord, but they often take advantage of my goodness." That makes
no difference, My daughter. That is no concern of yours. As for you, be always
merciful toward other people, and especially toward sinners.
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-I-186-187, 206, 280, 308-309, 319, 320)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-I-324, 349, 350, 355-356, 361, 367, 384)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-I-420, 423
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-II-687, 699, 730, 741, 793, 854, 873, 875)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-II-893, 908, 927, 929, 934, 942-943, 951)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-II-975, 999
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-III-1059, 1062-1065, 1122-1123)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-V-1393-1397, 1446)
