Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, July 30 Strive for Sanctity You are That Saint

First Friday. When I took the Messenger of the Sacred Heart into my hand and read the account of the canonization of Saint Andrew Bobola, my soul was instantly filled with a great longing that our Congregation, too, might have a saint, and I wept like a child that there was no saint in our midst. And I said to the Lord, "I know Your generosity, and yet it seems to me that You are less generous toward us." ... And the Lord Jesus said to me, Don't cry. You are that saint. Then the light of God inundated my soul, and I was given to know how much I was to suffer, and I said to the Lord, "How will that come about? You have been speaking to me about another Congregation." And the Lord answered, It is not for you to know how this will come about. Your duty is to be faithful to My grace and to do always what is within your power and what obedience allows you to do ... (Diary, 1650).

My Prayer Response: Thank you, St. Faustina, for evoking the word of the Lord: You are that saint. Thank you, St. Faustina, for your holy life and your Diary.

'Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, July 29  Strive for Sanctity The Light of Holiness

Chosen souls are, in My hand, lights which I cast into the darkness of the world and with which I illumine it. As stars illumine the night, so chosen souls illumine the earth. And the more perfect a soul is, the stronger and the more far-reaching is the light shed by it. It can be hidden and unknown, even to those closest to it, and yet its holiness is reflected in souls even to the most distant extremities of the world (Diary, 1601).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, You told us through St. John: "I am the light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life" (Jn 8:12). And so You also taught us: "You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14). Thank You for teaching us through St. Faustina that the greater the sanctity of souls, the more the light of holiness is reflected around the world.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, July 28  Strive for Sanctity It Is All Grace

I have noticed that, from the very moment I entered the convent, I have been charged with one thing; namely, that I am a saint. But this word was always used scoffingly. At first, this hurt me very much, but when I had risen above it, I paid no attention to it. However, when on one occasion a certain person [perhaps Father Sopocko] suffered because of my sanctity, I was very pained that, because of me, others can experience some unpleasantness. And I began to complain to the Lord Jesus, asking why this should be so, and the Lord answered me, Are you sad because of this? Of course, you are a saint. Soon I Myself will make this manifest in you, and they will pronounce the same word, saint, only this time it will be with love (Diary, 1571).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me not to be ashamed of my striving for sanctity. Sanctity is all Your gift; it is all grace. Remind me that sanctity is not a private love affair with You, Lord - You have called all of us to "be holy, because I am holy" (1 Pet 1:16; Lev 10:2).

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, July 27  Strive for Sanctity Called to Humility

If you do not succeed in taking advantage of an opportunity, do not lose your peace, but humble yourself profoundly before Me and, with great trust, immerse yourself completely in My mercy. In this way, you gain more than you have lost, because more favor is granted to a humble soul than the soul itself asks for ... (Diary, 1361).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me to remain in peace, even when I struggle. May I rejoice in my humiliation and turn to Your mercy with even greater trust. May I give You thanks for Your mercy.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, July 25  Strive for Sanctity The Lord's Exhortation Know this, My daughter: if you strive for perfection you will sanctify many souls; and if you do not strive for sanctity, by the same token, many souls will remain imperfect. Know that their perfection will depend on your perfection, and the greater part of the responsibility for these souls will fall on you (Diary, 1165).

My Prayer Response:Thank you, St. Faustina, for listening to and obeying the Lord by striving for great sanctity. May I and all the readers of this exhortation of the Lord follow your example of striving for great sanctity. Lord, give u  s the grace to be saints like St. Faustina.

Mondays Mercy Minutes...

 

Spiritual Warfare
Experienced in Battle

     Jesus, Savior, who have deigned to come into my heart, drive away these distractions which are keeping me from talking to You.\\\\\Jesus answered me, I want you to become like a knight experienced in battle, who can give orders to others amid the exploding shells. In the same way, My child, you should know how to master yourself amid the greatest difficulties, and let nothing drive you away from Me, not even your falls (Diary, 1823).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, Your coming into my heart by Holy Communion strengthens me to enter into the battle of promoting Your message of The Divine Mercy. Help me to become experienced in battle. May I always be faithful to You.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, July 23  Spiritual Warfare Part Five of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.
Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles. Know that you are now on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you. Fight like a knight, so that I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Lord, for Your conference on spiritual warfare. Promoting Your message of Divine Mercy is a great battle, but with Your grace and presence, I want to fight like a knight!

Saturday's Mercy Minutes

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Refleions from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, July 22  Spiritual Warfare Part Four of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.  Do not become discouraged by ingratitude. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My Heart. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Lord, for the instruction on what to do when discouragement, fatigue, and struggles come upon me. Help me to run away from myself and hide in Your Heart. Give me courage in the midst of the struggle.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, July 21  Spiritual Warfare Part Three of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.  Observe the rule as faithfully as you can. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer. Do not pour out your feelings. Be silent when you are rebuked. Do not ask everyone's opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, thank You, for encouraging me to be faithful to my vocation in the midst of spiritual warfare. Help me to keep these points in mind: consider what good I can do to the person who caused me to suffer; not to pour out my feelings; and to be silent when rebuked.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, July 20 Spiritual Warfare Part Two of Conference       Conference on Spiritual Warfare.  Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds. Bear with yourself with great patience. Do not neglect interior mortifications. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor. Shun murmurers like a plague. Let all act as they like; you are to act as I want you to (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Lord, for teaching me about my personal response in spiritual warfare: to set aside self-love, be patient, and make use of mortifications. May I act as You want me to.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes....

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, July 19  Spiritual Warfare Part One of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.

My daughter, I want to teach you about spiritual warfare. Never trust in yourself, but abandon yourself totally to My will. In desolation, darkness, and various doubts, have recourse to Me and to your spiritual director. He will always answer you in My name. Do not bargain with any temptation; lock yourself immediately in My Heart and, at the first opportunity, reveal the temptation to the confessor (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response: Thank You, Jesus, for Your conference on spiritual warfare. May Your teachings sink deeply into my heart and mind. May I place my trust in You and abandon myself to Your will, locking myself in Your Heart. Remind me at the first opportunity to reveal the temptations to my confessor.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, July 18   Spiritual Warfare Like Fog before the Sun's Rays Know, My daughter, that if your soul is filled with the fire of My pure love, then all difficulties dissipate like fog before the sun's rays and dare not touch the soul. All adversaries are afraid to start a quarrel with such a soul, because they sense that it is stronger than the whole world ... (Diary, 1643).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, may I be filled with the "fire of mercy" (Pope John Paul II, Krakow, Poland, August 17, 2002, Entrustment of the World to Divine Mercy) and watch all difficulties to promoting Divine Mercy disappear like fog in the sun's rays. I trust in Your mercy.

Monday's Mercy Minutes

 

Divine Mercy Daily 

(Sorry these are so late today0

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, July 17  Spiritual Warfare  The Work of Redemption

Listen, My daughter, although all the works that come into being by My will are exposed to great sufferings, consider whether any of them has been subject to greater difficulties than that work which is directly Mine - the work of Redemption. You should not worry too much about adversities. The world is not as powerful as it seems to be; its strength is strictly limited (Diary, 1643).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, may I not worry and lose my peace when I face difficulties in promoting Your mercy to souls in need. May I be inspired in the struggle by the words of the Great Mercy Pope: "The ultimate limit to evil is Divine Mercy" (see Pope John Paul II, Memory and Identity, p. 55).

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, July 16   Spiritual Warfare More Directives Third, have the certitude that I am looking at you and supporting you. Fourth, do not fear either struggles of the soul or any temptations, because I am supporting you; if only you are willing to fight, know that the victory is always on your side. Fifth, know that by fighting bravely you give Me great glory and amass merits for yourself. Temptation gives you a chance to show Me your fidelity (Diary, 1560).

My Prayer Response:Lord Jesus, thank You, for Your encouragement and support in fighting   temptations. May I give You great glory in fighting temptations and show You my fidelity.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, July 15 Spiritual Warfare Directives about Temptations

February 3, [1938]. Today after Holy Communion, Jesus again gave me a few directives: First, do not fight against a temptation by yourself, but disclose it to the confessor at once, and then the temptation will lose all its force. Second, during these ordeals do not lose your peace; live in My presence; ask My Mother and the Saints for help (Diary, 1560).

My Prayer Response: Thank You, Lord, for giving me directives about temptations. May I always be open with my confessor. May I remain at peace in the midst of temptation by living in Your presence and asking Mother Mary and the Saints for help.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, July 14 Spiritual Warfare Help Me Withstand Temptations

[St. Faustina was tempted repeatedly by Satan against her vocation of proclaiming God's mercy and praying for mercy for souls, especially sinners (see Diary, 1496-1499):]

At that moment, I saw Jesus, who said, I am pleased with what you are doing. And you can continue to be at peace if you always do the best you can in respect to this work of mercy. Be absolutely as frank as possible with your confessor.

Satan gained nothing by tempting you, because you did not enter into conversation with him. Continue to act in this way. You gave Me great glory today by fighting so faithfully (Diary, 1499).

My Prayer Response:  Lord, may I be faithful to my vocation at times of temptation. May I not enter into temptation by conversation with the Evil One. By the grace of Your presence, help me to withstand temptations.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, July 13  Spiritual Warfare Suffering and Praying for Souls

[Sister Faustina was vexed by demons during the night, one of them took the form of a cat, jumping onto her bed:]   I kept praying the rosary all the while, and toward dawn these beings vanished, and I was able to get some sleep. When I entered the chapel in the morning I heard a voice in my soul, You are united to Me; fear nothing. But know, My child, that Satan hates you; he hates every soul, but he burns with a particular hatred for you, because you have snatched so many souls from his dominion (Diary, 412).

My Prayer Response:Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your word of warning: Satan hated St. Faustina because she snatched so many souls from his dominion. Please protect us as we suffer and pray for the salvation of souls.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, July 12  Spiritual Warfare Surrendering to Your Will

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!" (Diary, 320).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Lord, for teaching me an effective response to spiritual attacks as demonstrated by St. Faustina. She responded by surrendering to Your will. May I always humbly obey Your will.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, July 11 Lukewarm and Indifferent Help Us to Reach Sinners

Tell sinners that no one shall escape My Hand; if they run away from My Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands. Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart ... when will it beat for Me? Write, that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want (Diary, 1728).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, since no one can escape Your hand, teach us and help us to reach sinners with the good news of Your hand of mercy rather than Your hand of justice. Help us to reach the world desperately in need of Your mercy.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

 July 8 Lukewarm and Indifferent The Spirit of Love

March 1, 1937. The Lord gave me to know how displeased He is with a talkative soul. I find no rest in such a soul. The constant din tires Me, and in the midst of it the soul cannot discern My voice (Diary, 1008).

Why are You sad today, Jesus? Tell me, who is the cause of Your sadness? And Jesus answered me, Chosen souls who do not have My spirit, who live according to the letter [cf. 2 Cor. 3:6] and have placed the letter above My spirit, above the spirit of love.

I have founded My whole law on love, and yet I do not see love, even in religious orders. This is why sadness fills My Heart (Diary, 1478).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, help us to discern Your voice within and live according to the spirit of love, so that Your Heart may be filled with joy. We pray for chosen souls who place the letter above Your spirit of love.

Friday's Mercy Minutes.

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, July 7  Lukewarm and Indifferent Do Not Despise 

God’s Graces  There are souls who despise My graces as well as all the proofs of My love. They do not wish to hear My call, but proceed into the abyss of hell. The loss of these souls plunges Me into deadly sorrow. God though I am, I cannot help such a soul because it scorns Me; having a free will, it can spurn Me or love Me. You, who are the dispenser of My mercy, tell all the world about My goodness, and thus you will comfort My Heart (Diary, 580).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help all apostles of Divine Mercy to reach souls who despise Your graces and proofs of Your love. Help us to save souls from choosing the abyss of hell — and so comfort Your Heart.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, July 5  Lukewarm and Indifferent  Give Us 

Grateful Hearts  On a certain occasion, the Lord said to me, I am more deeply wounded by the small imperfections of chosen souls than by the sins of those living in the world. It made me very sad that chosen souls make Jesus suffer, and Jesus told me, These little imperfections are not all. I will reveal to you a secret of My Heart: what I suffer from chosen souls. Ingratitude in return for so many graces is My Heart’s constant food, on the part of [such] a chosen soul. Their love is lukewarm, and My Heart cannot bear it; these souls force Me to reject them. (Diary, 580).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, forgive the imperfections, the ingratitude, and lukewarm love of souls You have chosen! I beg You have mercy on them and all of us sinners — and bring us to repentance so that we may not continue to make You suffer.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, July 4  Prayers and Novenas of St.

 Faustina Novena of Chaplets  The Lord told me to say this chaplet for nine days before the Feast of Mercy. It is to begin on Good Friday. By this novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls (Diary, 796).

My Prayer Response: Lord, help us to pray with fervor the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy as we pray the Novena before the Feast of Mercy. Thank You for the gifts of the Novena, the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, and the Feast of Mercy. What wondrous graces You have promised!

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, July 2  Prayers and Novenas of St. Faustina Joining in Prayer with John Paul II  As I was praying for Poland, I heard the words: I bear a special love for Poland, and if she will be obedient to My will, I will exalt her in might and holiness. From her will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming (Diary, 1732).

My Prayer Response II on the occasion of the dedication of the Basilica of The Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland, August 17, 2002, also entrusted the world to The Divine Mercy. In his reflections, he quoted the above text of the Diary of St. Faustina about “the spark” that needs to be lighted by the grace of God — a fire of mercy that needs to be passed on to the world (see John Paul II: The Great Mercy Pope, pp. 211-213). In that light, let us join with John Paul II in praying: “May the binding promise of the Lord Jesus be fulfilled. From here there must go forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming.”

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, July 1Prayers and Novenas of St. Faustin a Prayer for Our Native Country Once, after an adoration for our country, a pain pierced my soul, and I began to pray in this way: “Most merciful Jesus, I beseech You through the intercession of Your Saints, and especially the intercession of Your dearest Mother who nurtured You from childhood, bless my native land. I beg You, Jesus, look not on our sins, but on the tears of little children, on the hunger and cold they suffer. Jesus, for the sake of these innocent ones, grant me the grace that I am asking of You for my country.” At that moment, I saw the Lord Jesus, His eyes filled with tears, and He said to me, You see, My daughter, what great compassion I have for them. Know that it is they who uphold the world. (Diary, 286).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, give us a great concern for our native country. Hear our prayer for those who attempt to live without You or those afflicted with poverty and injustice. Especially protect the children — the innocent ones — in our secularized nation.