Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, September 30  Union of Love In the Smallest Things At the chapter, Mother [Borgia] stressed a life of faith and fidelity in small things. Half way through the chapter, I heard these words: I desire that you would all have more faith at the present time. How great is My joy at the faithfulness of My spouse in the smallest things. Then I looked at the crucifix and saw that Jesus' head was turned towards the refectory, and His lips were moving (Diary, 352).

My Prayer Response:Dearest Jesus, I desire to be more faithful to You even in the smallest things in my daily life. I desire and long to live in union with You and be the joy of Your Heart.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, Sept.29Jesus the TeacherThe Spiritual Guide of Souls

The very inner depths of My being are filled to overflowing with mercy, and it is being poured out upon all I have created. My delight is to act in a human soul and to fill it with My mercy and to justify it. My kingdom on earth is My life in the human soul. Write, My secretary, that I Myself am the spiritual guide of souls — and I guide them indirectly through the priest, and lead each one to sanctity by a road known to Me alone (Diary, 1784).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, fulfill Your delight and fill souls that trust in You with Your mercy. Guide each one of us to sanctity by a road known to You alone. You are the spiritual guide of my soul.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, September 28  Jesus the Teacher  If Only  Today, in the course of a long conversation, the Lord said to me, How very much I desire the    salvation of souls! My dearest secretary, write that I want to pour out My divine life into human souls and sanctify them, if only they were willing to accept My grace. The greatest sinners would achieve great sanctity, if only they would trust in My mercy (Diary, 1784).

My Prayer Response:  O Lord Jesus, what power is in the two words: "if only." You want to sanctity me and all souls if only we were willing to accept Your grace — if only we would trust in Your mercy!

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, September 27  Jesus the Teacher Part 3 of Conference

Conference on Mercy.  Pray as much as you can for the dying. By your entreaties, obtain for them trust in My mercy, because they have most need of trust, and have it the least. Be assured that the grace of eternal salvation for certain souls in their final moment depends on your prayer (Diary, 1777).

You know the whole abyss of My mercy, so draw upon it for yourself and especially for poor sinners. Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would My mercy not embrace a trusting soul (Diary, 1777).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, teach me how to pray for the dying. May I obtain for them the grace of trust in Your mercy in their final moments: "Jesus, I trust in You!"   Lord Jesus, may I teach poor sinners to trust in You. And may all of us "Trust in Jesus even more!"

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, September 26  Jesus the Teacher Part 2 of Conference

Conference on Mercy. My daughter, I desire that your heart be an abiding place of My mercy. I desire that this mercy flow out upon the whole world through your heart. Let no one who approaches you go away without that trust in My mercy which I so ardently desire for souls (Diary, 1777).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, may Your desires for St. Faustina, be fulfilled in me as well. I, too, desire that my heart be an abiding place of Your mercy, so it may flow out to the whole world and souls may learn to trust in You!

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, September 25   Jesus the TeacherPart 1 of Conference

Conference on Mercy.  My daughter, know that My Heart is mercy itself. From this sea of mercy, graces flow out upon the whole world. No soul that has approached Me has ever gone away unconsoled. All misery gets buried in the depths of My mercy, and every saving and sanctifying grace flows from this fountain (Diary, 1777).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You Jesus, for this five-star teaching on Your mercy! Thank You for Your Heart, which is mercy itself, a sea of mercy, a fountain of mercy from which flows every saving and sanctifying grace! May I and all who approach You be immersed in the sea

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, September 24  Jesus the Teacher Part 5 of Conference

Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer.   All its power rests in the will, and so these contrary feelings, far from lowering the value of the sacrifice in My eyes, will enhance it. Know that your body and soul will often be in the midst of fire. Although you will not feel My presence on some occasions, I will always be with you. Do not fear; My grace will be with you ... (Diary, 1767).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, in the midst of suffering, may I hear the words of Your promise: I will always be with you. Do not fear; My grace will be with you.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, September 23   Jesus the Teacher Part 4 of Conference

Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer.  I will now instruct you on what your holocaust shall consist of, in everyday life, so as to preserve you from illusions. You shall accept all sufferings with love. Do not be afflicted if your heart often experiences repugnance and dislike for sacrifice (Diary, 1767).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, by Your grace and with Your love that You showed me on the Cross, may I accept all sufferings with love. May I come to know like St. Faustina that suffering plus love equals joy!

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, September 22  Jesus the Teacher Part 3 of Conference

Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer.Outwardly, your sacrifice must look like this: silent, hidden, permeated with love, imbued with prayer. I demand, My daughter, that your sacrifice be pure and full of humility, that I may find pleasure in it. I will not spare My grace, that you may be able to fulfill what I demand of 

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, may my sacrifice be silent, hidden, loving, prayerful, and joyful! May it be pure and humble, so it may please You. Fulfill Your purpose for my life.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, September 21  Jesus the Teacher Part 2 of Conference

Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer.  You must be annihilated, destroyed, living as if you were dead in the most secret depths of your being. You must be destroyed in that secret depth where the human eye has never penetrated; then will I find in you a pleasing sacrifice, a holocaust full of sweetness and fragrance. And great will be your power for whomever you intercede (Diary, 1767).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me surrender to the depth of my being to You. I want to cross out my self-will like St. Faustina did (see Diary, 374) with a big X and do Your will as a living sacrifice pleasing to You (see Rom 12:1).

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, September 20  Jesus the Teacher Part One of Conference

Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer.   My daughter, I want to instruct you on how you are to rescue souls through sacrifice and prayer. You will save more souls through prayer and suffering than will a missionary through his teachings and sermons alone. I want to see you as a sacrifice of living love, which only then carries weight before Me (Diary, 1767).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, thank You for Your teaching on sacrifice and prayer. By my prayer and suffering with love, may I help save souls. Make me a spiritual missionary of Your mercy.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, September 19  Jesus the Teacher Thankful for Everything

Do not defend yourself when you are put to shame, though innocent. Let others triumph. Do not stop being good when you notice that your goodness is being abused. I Myself will speak up for you when it is necessary. Be grateful for the smallest of My graces, because your gratitude compels Me to grant you new graces ... (Diary, 1701).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me not to defend myself when put to shame. May I be thankful for everything, especially for the smallest of Your graces.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, September 17   Jesus the Teacher The Treasure of Grace Today I saw the Crucified Lord Jesus. Precious pearls and diamonds were pouring forth from the wound in His Heart. I saw how a multitude of souls was gathering these gifts, but there was one soul who was closest to His Heart and she, knowing the greatness of these gifts, was gathering them with liberality, not only for herself, but for others as well. The Savior said to me, Behold, the treasures of grace that flow down upon souls, but not all souls know how to take advantage of My generosity (Diary, 1687).

My Prayer Response:   Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us through St. Faustina that Your graces flow like "precious pearls and diamonds" from the wound in Your Heart. Teach us how to take advantage of Your generosity and gather Your graces for ourselves and for others.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, September 16   Jesus the Teacher Give Away Everything      Give away everything at the first sign of a demand, even if they were the most necessary things. Do not ask for anything without consulting Me. Allow them to take away even what is due you — respect, your good name — let your spirit rise above all that. And so, set free from everything, rest close to My Heart, not allowing your peace to be disturbed by anything. My pupil, consider the words which I have spoken to you (Diary, 1685).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, what a marvelous freedom You taught St. Faustina: to give away everything at the first sign of a demand. Teach me what I need to do to have such a free spirit.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, September 15  Jesus the Teacher Do Nothing on Your Own  Entrust everything to Me and do nothing on your own, and you will always have great freedom of spirit. No circumstances or events will ever be able to upset you. Set little store on what people say. Let everyone judge you as they like. Do not make excuses for yourself, it will do you no harm (Diary, 1685).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, help me to entrust every thing to You and do nothing on my own, so I will always have great freedom of spirit.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, September 14  Jesus the Teacher Let Go of Yourself  

During Holy Hour today, I asked the Lord Jesus if He would deign to teach me about the spiritual life, Jesus answered me, My daughter, faithfully live up to the words which I speak to you. Do not value any external thing too highly, even if it were to seem very precious to you. Let go of yourself, and abide with Me continually (Diary, 1685).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, as You taught St. Faustina about the spiritual life, teach me, too, that I might "let go of myself and abide with You continually."

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, September 13  Jesus the Teacher  God's Mercy Time and Again   As I was meditating on the sin of the Angels and their immediate punishment, I asked Jesus why the Angels had been punished as soon as they had sinned. I heard a voice: Because of their profound knowledge of God. No person on earth, even though a great saint, has such knowledge of God as an Angel has. Nevertheless, to me who am so miserable, You have shown Your mercy, O God, and this, time and time again. You carry me in the bosom of Your mercy and forgive me every time that I ask Your forgiveness with a contrite heart (Diary, 1332).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, please help me to know You and Your greatest attribute, Your mercy. Help me to tell Your people of Your compassion and love. As I do, also give me courage to ask Your forgiveness whenever I sin.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, September 12  Jesus the Teacher Jesus Wants to teach Us When once I felt hurt because of a certain thing and complained to the Lord, Jesus answered, My daughter, why do you attach such importance to the teaching and the talk of people? I  Myself want to teach you; that is why I arrange things so that you cannot attend those conferences. In a single moment, I will bring you to know more than others will acquire through many years of toil (Diary, 1147).

My Prayer Response:  Jesus, please be my teacher! Teach me to know and love You and so serve You better. I know that You Yourself want to teach me. Give me ears to hear You.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, September 11  Jesus the Teacher Unite Yourself to Jesus         I am saying this that you may constantly unite yourself with Me through love, for this is the goal of the life of your soul. This act is an act of the will. Know that a pure soul is humble. When you lower and empty yourself before My majesty, I then pursue you with My graces and make use of My omnipotence to exalt you (Diary, 576).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, I want to love You and constantly unite myself to You. Teach me how to lower and empty myself before Your Majesty. Keep my soul pure and humble before You.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

September 10  Jesus the TeacherLove Keeps Jesus with Us

O Holy Trinity, Eternal God, my spirit is drowned in Your beauty. The ages are as nothing in Your sight. You are always the same. Oh, how great is Your majesty. Jesus, why do You conceal Your majesty, why have You left Your heavenly throne and dwelt among us? The Lord answered me, My daughter, love has brought Me here, and love keeps Me here. My daughter, if you knew what great merit and reward is earned by one act of pure love for Me, you would die of joy (Diary, 576).

 My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, what great love has brought You to dwell in our earth! Teach me how to act with a pure love for You. Thank You for loving me.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, September 9  Jesus the Teacher The Generosity of Jesus

Once, the Lord said to me, My daughter, take the graces that others spurn; take as many as you can carry. At that moment, my soul was inundated with the love of God. I feel that I am united with the Lord so closely that I cannot find words to express that union; in this state I suddenly feel that all the things God has, all the goods and treasures, are mine, although I set little store by them, for He alone is enough for me. In Him I see my everything; without Him — nothing (Diary, 454).

December 18, [1936]. Today I felt bad that a week had gone by and no one had come to visit me. When I complained to the Lord, He answered, Isn't it enough for you that I visit you every day? I apologized to the Lord and the hurt vanished. O God, my strength, You are sufficient for me (Diary, 827).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, what a blessing to read of Your generosity to a soul like that of St. Faustina. I sure could use some of those graces that others spurn. Lavish me with Your graces, Lord.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes.

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, September 8  Jesus the Teacher Jesus Is My Director

One day, during the morning meditation, I heard this voice: I Myself am your Director; I was, I am, and I will be. And since you asked for visible help, I chose and gave you a director even before you had asked, for My work required this. Know that the faults you commit against him wound My Heart. Be especially on your guard against self-willfulness; even the smallest thing should bear the seal of obedience.
     With a crushed and humbled heart, I begged forgiveness of Jesus for these faults. I also begged pardon of my spiritual director and resolved to do nothing rather than to do many things wrongly (Diary, 362).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Director and Teacher. I also ask You to give me help through a visible director to guide me according to Your will and not mine.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, September 7  Jesus the Teacher Remain a Little Child

At that moment Jesus asked me, My child, how is your retreat going? I answered, "But, Jesus, You know how it is going." Yes, I know, but I want to hear it from your own lips and from your heart. "O my Master, when You are leading me, everything goes smoothly, and I ask You, Lord, to never leave my side." And Jesus said, Yes, I will be with you always, if you always remain a little child and fear nothing. As I was your beginning here, so I will also be your end. Do not rely on creatures, even in the smallest things, because this displeases Me. I want to be alone in your soul. I will give light and strength to your soul, and you will learn from My representative that I am in you, and your uncertainty will vanish like mist before the rays of the sun (Diary, 295).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, give me the light and strength to rely on You as a little child, without fear. May I rely on You even for the smallest things, so I may please You.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, September 6   Jesus the Teacher Take Graces for Others  

And I will tell you one more thing — take these graces not only for yourself, but also for others; that is, encourage the souls with whom you come in contact to trust in My infinite mercy. Oh, how I love those souls who have complete confidence in Me — I will do everything for them (Diary, 294).

My Prayer Response:   Yes, Lord, I take Your graces not only for myself but for souls I meet that they may trust in you even more. May they grow to have complete confidence in You!

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, September 5  Jesus the Teacher All the Graces I Can Carry Once the Lord said to me, Act like a beggar who does not back away when he gets more alms [than he asked for], but offers thanks the more fervently. You too, should not back away and say that you are not worthy of receiving greater graces when I give them to you. I know you are unworthy, but rejoice all the more and take as many treasures from My Heart as you can carry, for then you will please Me more (Diary, 294).

My Prayer Response:    Jesus, thank You for teaching me to receive all the graces You offer me with fervent thanksgiving. Knowing that I am unworthy, I rejoice all the more and take all I can carry — to please You!

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, September 4  Jesus the Teacher The Essence of Your Lordship    On Friday, after Holy Communion, I was carried in spirit before the throne of God. There I saw the heavenly Powers which incessantly praise God. Beyond the throne I saw a brightness inaccessible to creatures, and there only the Incarnate Word enters as Mediator. When Jesus entered this light, I heard these words, Write down at once what you hear: I am the Lord in My essence and am immune to orders or needs. If I call creatures into being — that is the abyss of My mercy. And at that very moment I found myself, as before, in our chapel at my kneeler, just as Mass had ended. I already had these words written (Diary, 85).

My Prayer Response:     Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching St. Faustina about the essence of Your Lordship and the abyss of Your mercy in creating us. May these mysteries at the Throne of God evoke my praise and worship.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, September 3 Jesus, Teacher  Strength for the Task at hand 

 One time during the novitiate, ... I was very upset because I could not manage the pots, which were very large. The most difficult task for me was draining the potatoes, and sometimes I spilt half of them with the water ... . I complained to God about my weakness. Then I heard the following words in my soul, From today on you will do this easily; I shall strengthen you.

That evening, when the time came to drain off the water from the potatoes, I hurried to be the first to do it, trusting in the Lord's words. I took up the pot with ease and poured off the water perfectly. But when I took off the cover to let the potatoes steam off, I saw there in the pot, in the place of the potatoes, whole bunches of red roses, beautiful beyond description ... . [Then] I heard a voice within saying, I change such hard work of yours into bouquets of most beautiful flowers, and their perfume rises up to My throne (Diary, 65).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, when the work before me is overwhelming thank You for teaching me through St. Faustina that You give me the strength needed for the task.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, September 2  Confession  An Abundance of Graces 

Know that as often as you come to Me, humbling yourself and asking My forgiveness, I pour out a superabundance of graces on your soul, and your imperfection vanishes before My eyes, and I see only your love and your humility. You lose nothing but gain much ... (Diary, 1293).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, I want to receive an abundance of Your graces in confession as I humble myself and ask for forgiveness. Thank You, Jesus, for seeing only my love and humility.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, September 1     Confession  This Small Imperfection

It so happened that I fell again into a certain error, in spite of a sincere resolution not to do so — even though the lapse was a minor imperfection and rather involuntary — and at this I felt such acute pain in my soul that I interrupted my work and went to the chapel for a while. Falling at the feet of Jesus, with love and a great deal of pain, I apologized to the Lord, all the more ashamed because of the fact that in my conversation with Him after Holy Communion this very morning I had promised to be faithful to Him. Then I heard these words: If it hadn't been for this small imperfection, you wouldn't have come to Me (Diary, 1293).

My Prayer Response:  Help me, Lord Jesus, to humble myself in confession and ask for forgiveness, even for imperfections that they, too, may vanish. May I bring even the smallest imperfection to You.