Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, August 31   Confession Only a Screen    Today, the Lord has been teaching me, once again, how I am to approach the Sacrament of Penance: My daughter, just as you prepare in My presence, so also you make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen. Never analyze what sort of a priest it is that I am making use of; open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light (Diary, 1725).

My Prayer Response:    Thank You, Lord, for teaching St. Faustina how to make her confession before You. Help me to remember that the priest is only a screen. May I, too, make my confession before You, opening my soul to You that You may fill it with Your light.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, August 30  Confession  My Misery Meets Your Mercy   Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls (Diary, 1602).

My Prayer Response:   Thank You, Lord, for confession, where my misery meets Your mercy. Help me to draw mercy from this fount of mercy with the greatest trust: "Jesus, I trust in You!"

Monday's Mertcy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, August 29   Confession The Blood and Water

Today the Lord said to me, Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul (Diary, 1602).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart as a fountain of mercy for me. As I apprach You in confession, I immerse myself in Your mercy with great trust.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, August 28    Confession  Restoring the Soul in Full                       Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of ] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God's mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late (Diary, 1448).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, thank You for restoring souls in full by the miracle of Your mercy. May I always take advantage of it in my need.

Saturday's Mercy MInutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, August 27   Confession  The Miracle of Divine Mercy   Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [the Sacrament of Reconciliation] There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one's misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated (Diary, 1448).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching us where to find consolation. Thank You for the Tribunal of Mercy where great miracles take place when we reveal our miseries.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, August 26   Confession    Do Not Put off Confession                          I feel much better today. I was glad I would be able to meditate more during the Holy Hour. Then I heard a voice: You will not be in good health. Do not put off the Sacrament of Penance, because this displeases Me. Pay little attention to the murmurs of those around you. This surprised me, because I am feeling better today, but I gave it no more thought. When the sister switched off the light, I began the Holy Hour. But after a while something went wrong with my heart. I suffered in silence until eleven o'clock, but then I began to feel so bad that I woke up Sister N. [probably Sister Fabiola], who is my roommate, and she gave me some drops, which brought me a little relief so that I could lie down. I now understand the Lord's warning. I decided to call any priest at all, the next day, and to open the secrets of my soul to him (Diary, 1464).

My Prayer Response:  Lord, when You warn me not to put off the Sacrament of Penance, help me to search out a priest to hear my confession soon.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, August 25  Confession  A Cause of Murmuring  My daughter, I have something to tell you. I replied, "Speak, Jesus, for I thirst for Your words." It displeases Me that, because the sisters were murmuring, you did not ask to have Father Andrasz hear your confession in your cell. Know that, because of this, you gave them even greater cause for murmuring. Very humbly I begged the Lord's forgiveness. O my Master, rebuke me; do not overlook my faults, and do not let me err (Diary, 1460).

My Prayer Response:   Lord, help me not to be a cause of murmuring among my family and friends nor react to their murmuring. May I avoid offending You and be quick to beg Your forgiveness when I sin.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, August 24    Confession  Be Not Afraid 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 (Diary, 975).

My Prayer Response:   Merciful Lord, bless souls that fear to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation that you call the "Tribunal of My Mercy." Bless fearful souls with Your love, peace, and joy when going to receive Your mercy in confession.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, August 23  Tell My Priests Hardened Sinners Will Repent

The Lord said to me, My daughter, do not tire of proclaiming My mercy. In this way you will refresh this Heart of Mine, which burns with a flame of pity for sinners. Tell My priests that hardened sinners will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart. To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak (Diary, 1521).

My Prayer Response: Lord, what a fantastic promise to priests who proclaim and extol Your mercy! Awaken priests to receive Your wondrous power that anoints their words and touches the hearts of their congregation. Please do it, Lord; the Church and world desperately need Your mercy now while it is time for mercy!

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, August 22 Tell My Priests Recommend the Chaplet to Sinners      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 (Diary, 687).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, teach priests to love and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. May they recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation and to all at the hour of death so as to receive great mercy.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, August 21   Tell My Priests Pray for Priests  

No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy. I am making you the [dispenser] of My mercy (Diary, 570).

Today, I saw the Lord in great beauty, and He said to me, My loving host, pray for priests, especially during this time of harvest. My Heart is pleased with you, and for your sake I am blessing the earth (Diary, 980).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, inspire priests with Your love and mercy, so when they preach — especially on the Feast of Mercy — the people may receive Your great and unfathomable mercy. Remind me, Lord, to pray for priests, especially during this time of harvest.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, August 20  Tell My Priests Speak to Priests of Mercy

My daughter, speak to priests about this inconceivable mercy of Mine. The flames of mercy are burning Me — clamoring to be spent; I want to keep pouring them out upon souls; souls just don't want to believe in My goodness (Diary, 177).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, may the flames of Your mercy set priests on fire with Your inconceivable mercy, so lukewarm and unbelieving souls may be set ablaze with Your mercy through the ministry of priests.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, August 19 Tell My Priests Priests Are to Proclaim Mercy

I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners. Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me — clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls (Diary, 50).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, bless priests with Your great gift of mercy, so they may radiate Your mercy in preaching and in the confessional. May Your mercy draw sinners to the feet of Your representatives to receive grace from the fountain of Your mercy.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, August 18  Graces of Retreats The Gift of the Church

My daughter, consider the life of God which is found in the Church for the salvation and the sanctification of your soul. Consider the use that you make of these treasures of grace, of these efforts of My love (Diary, 1758).

My Prayer Response:   Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the treasure of graces You have given the Church for our salvation and sanctification. Thank You for the graces of Your Sacraments, culminating in the Holy Eucharist; for the Communion of Saints with Our Blessed Mother as Queen of all Saints; for the shepherds You have provided for us, with our chief shepherd, the Successor of Peter. All these treasures of grace are a gift of Your merciful love.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, August 16  Graces of Retreats Daily Bread for Me In the evening, Jesus gave me the subject for meditation. At the first moment, my heart was filled with fear and joy. Then I pressed myself close to His Heart, and the fear vanished; only joy remained. I felt entirely like a child of God, and the Lord said to me, Fear nothing. What has been forbidden to others has been given to you. The graces that are not given to other souls to discern, not even from a distance, nourish you every day, like the daily bread (Diary, 1753).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, I press close to Your Heart that my fear may vanish. Like a child, I want to receive all the graces You have prepared for me! May Your graces nourish me like daily bread.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, August 15  Graces of Retreats Send Forth Your Spirit

Today the Lord said to me, You shall make a three-day retreat before the coming of the Holy Spirit. I Myself will direct you. You shall not follow any of the rules required for retreats or use any books for meditation. Your task is to listen attentively to My words. For spiritual reading you shall read one chapter from the Gospel of St. John (Diary, 1709).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, bless me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to claim all of the five promises You made of sending the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of St. John (see 14:16- 17; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-11; 16:13-15). Lord, send forth Your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, August 14  Graces of Retreats Lavish New Graces on Us

After Holy Mass, I went out to the garden to make my meditation ..  Suddenly Jesus stood before me and said, What are you doing here so early? I answered, "I am thinking of You, of Your mercy and Your goodness toward us. And You, Jesus, what are You doing here?" I have come out to meet you, to lavish new graces on you. I am looking for souls who would like to receive My grace (Diary, 1705).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me to recognize and receive Your graces with joy. I need all the graces that You want to lavish on me!

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, August 13   Graces of Retreats Responding Faithfully to Your Grace  As I was trying to make my Holy Hour, I saw the suffering Jesus, who spoke these words to me: My daughter, do not pay so much attention to the vessel of grace as to the grace itself which I give you, because you are not always pleased with the vessel, and then the graces, too, become deficient. I want to guard you from that, and I want you never to pay attention to the vessel in which I send you My grace. Let all the attention of your soul be concentrated on responding to My grace as faithfully as possible (Diary, 1599).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, may I recognize Your grace, no matter how it comes to me. Guard me from distractions. May I receive Your grace faithfully with thanksgiving, so You may be glorified.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, August 12   Graces of Retreats A Pliant Tool

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! (Diary, 451).

Bear in mind that when you come out of this retreat, I shall be dealing with you as with a perfect soul. I want to hold you in My hand as a pliant tool, perfectly adapted to the completion of My works (Diary, 1359).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, may I feel the presence of the Most Holy Trinity within me as Your temple, and so be Your tool to do Your work of mercy. O Lord, make me a pliant tool in Your hand. All for Your glory!

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, August 11   Graces of Retreats Fearless Apostles of Divine Mercy  On the evening of the introductory day of the retreat, as I listened to the points for the meditation, I heard these words: During this retreat I will speak to you through the mouth of this priest to strengthen you and assure you of the truth of the words which I address to you in the depths of your soul. Although this is a retreat for all the sisters, I have you especially in mind, as I want to strengthen you and make you fearless in the midst of all the adversities which lie ahead. Therefore, listen intently to his words and meditate upon them in the depths of your soul (Diary, 456).

My Prayer Response:   Lord, strengthen us with the words of preachers and teachers to assure us of the words that You speak in the depth of our hearts. Make us fearless apostles of Divine Mercy who are emboldened to "speak the truth in love" (Eph 4:15).

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, August 10   Graces of Retreats Witnesses of Your    Infinite Mercy   During one conference, Jesus said to me, You are a sweet grape in a chosen cluster; I want others to have a share in the juice that is flowing within you (Diary, 393).

I suddenly saw the Lord Jesus, radiant with unspeakable beauty, and He said to me with kindness, My chosen one, I will give you even greater graces that you may be the witness of My infinite mercy throughout all eternity (Diary, 400).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, make us witnesses of Your infinite mercy. Help us to share Your radiant mercy with our brothers and sisters that they, too, may experience Your mercy.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes.

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, August 9   Graces of Retreats  Like Jesus in Suffering and Humility  [October 11, 1933, after a three-hour struggle in adoration, Jesus in His Passion appeared to St. Faustina.]

The bride must resemble her Betrothed. I understood these words to their very depth. There is no room for doubt here. My likeness to Jesus must be through suffering and humility.
         See what love of human souls has done to Me. My daughter, in your heart I find everything that so great a number of souls refuses Me. Your heart is My repose. I often wait with great graces until towards the end of prayer (Diary, 268).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, bless those who are in struggles with the gift of perseverance in their prayer. May our hearts be a repose in Your agony over those who refuse You. May we be like You through suffering and humility.

Monday's Mercy Minutes....

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, August 8   Graces of Retreats Your Heart Is My Heaven

[In the evening of April 30, 1933, before Perpetual vows.]   My daughter, your heart is My heaven (Diary, 238).    The words of Jesus during my perpetual vows: My spouse, our hearts are joined forever. Remember to whom you have vowed ... everything cannot be put into words (Diary, 239).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, make my heart Your heaven. May my heart be joined with You forever. Saint Faustina, intercede for me that I may be one heart with the Heart of Jesus.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, August 7  Graces of Retreats Confirmed in Love

In this retreat I am giving you, not only peace, but also such a disposition of soul that even if you wanted to experience uneasiness you could not do so. My love has taken possession of your soul, and I want you to be confirmed in it. Bring your ear close to My Heart, forget everything else, and meditate upon My wondrous mercy. My love will give you the strength and courage you need in these matters (Diary, 229).

My Prayer Response:     Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your gift of peace. Take possession of my heart with Your love. Help me to meditate on Your wondrous mercy that gives me strength and courage.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, August 6  Graces of Retreats  You Are Sovereign

During this retreat, I Myself will direct your soul. I want to confirm you in peace and love. And so, the first few days passed by. On the fourth day, doubts began to trouble me: Is not this tranquility of mine false? Then I heard these words, My daughter, imagine that you are the sovereign of all the world and have the power to dispose of all things according to your good pleasure. You have the power to do all the good you want, and suddenly a little child knocks on your door, all trembling and in tears and, trusting in your kindness, asks for a piece of bread lest he die of starvation. What would you do for this child? Answer Me, My daughter. And I said, "Jesus, I would give the child all it asked and a thousand times more" (Diary, 229).

My Prayer Response:    Lord Jesus, thank You for directing our souls in times of retreat and prayer. Since You are sovereign over the whole world, direct our prayer and lives according to Your will. Thank You for Your astounding goodness to us in our need.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, August 5   Graces of Retreats Bless Our Confessors             And as a proof that it is I who am speaking to you, you will go to confession on the second day of the retreat to the priest who is preaching the retreat; you will go to him as soon as he has finished his conference and will present to him all your doubts concerning Me. I will answer you through his lips, and then your fears will end. During this retreat, observe such strict silence that it will be as though nothing exists around you. You shall speak only to Me and to your confessor; you will ask your superiors only for penances. I felt immense joy that the Lord would show me such kindness and lower Himself so much for my sake (Diary, 169).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, I ask You to bless our confessors. Bless them with Your wisdom and answers to our doubts and concerns. Bless our retreat masters that they may speak Your word in answer to our needs.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes....

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, August 4   Graces of Retreats The Gift of Profoun Peace   My conversation with the Lord Jesus before the retreat. Jesus told me that this retreat would be a little different from others. You shall strive to maintain a profound peace in respect to your communings with Me. I will remove all doubts in this regard. I know that you are at peace now as I speak to you, but the moment I stop talking you will start looking for doubts. But I want you to know that I will affirm your soul to such a degree that even if you wanted to be troubled, it will not be within your power (Diary, 169).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, I love the way You described Your gift of peace to St. Faustina. I would love to receive that kind of peace! So I ask You: Fill me with Your peace that I may be at peace.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, August 3   Graces of Retreats                    Jesus Arranges the Circumstances   My daughter, I desire that your heart be formed after the model of My merciful Heart. You must be completely imbued with My mercy. 

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 (Diary, 167).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, I desire to model my heart after Your Merciful Heart - so I ask You to form my heart. As you arranged the retreat for St. Faustina, so arrange the circumstances in my life in order to accomplish Your work within me. Lord Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like Yours that I may be infused with Your mercy.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, August 2   Graces of Retreats This Grace Is Being Given      A few weeks before I was told about the probation, I entered the chapel for a moment and Jesus said to me, At this very moment the superiors are deciding which sisters are going to take perpetual vows. Not all of them will be granted this grace, but this is their own fault. He who does not take advantage of small graces will not receive great ones. But to you, My child, this grace is being given (Diary, 165).

My Prayer Response:    Lord Jesus, may we, like St. Faustina, take advantage of small graces. Help us to be faithful in receiving Your graces with thanksgiving and sharing them with others.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, August 1   Graces of Retreats Comfort of My Heart

Probation Before Perpetual Vows   When I learned I was to go for probation [testing], my heart beat with joy at the thought of such an immense grace, that of the perpetual vows. I went before the Blessed Sacrament; and when I immersed myself in a prayer of thanksgiving, I heard these words in my soul: My child, you are My delight, you are the comfort of My Heart. I grant you as many graces as you can hold. As often as you want to make Me happy, speak to the world about My great and unfathomable mercy (Diary, 164).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, may we, too, make You happy as we speak to the world about [Your] great and unfathomable mercy. May we, too, delight You and comfort You by our trust in Your mercy.