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| Pope John Paul II was known to be ascetic |
These excerpts, below, from the Diary of St. Faustina were sent to me by a priest. Consider how close Blessed Pope John Paul II was to the writings of St. Faustina and recall the depth of his prayer. He understood how to pray and he knew that asceticism was important. St. Faustina, likewise, understood this role it plays in the spiritual life and in the greater scheme of salvation history. We often hear about the Battle of Lepanto and how, against overwhelming odds, the Christians defeated the Turks. The Blessed Virgin mary was credited after her intercession was sought in the face of such dire odds.
Keep in mind that it is not enough simply to pray and to engage in ascetic practices. One must have faith and hope. As followers of Christ, we know that what God doesn't will, He permits for reasons known only to Him (Job 2:10). Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. (Rom 5:20). That said, we should also remember how Esther prepared to speak to the King when she wanted to save her people - who were condemned by decree. She put on sack-cloth and fasted for three days. Our Lord told his disciples that some demons can only be cast out by prayer and fasting, so we see encouragement by Jesus to engage in such practices.
This interesting set of excerpts from the Diary of St. Faustina gives us yet another example.
****************
What did really stop the Angel, the executor of divine
wrath? St. Faustina wrote in her Diary
The following day, Friday, September
13, 1935. In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw an Angel, the
executor of divine wrath. he was clothed in a dazzling robe, his face
gloriously bright, a cloud beneath his feet. From the cloud, bolts of
lightening were springing into his hands; and from his hand they were going
forth, and only then were they striking the earth. When I saw this sign
of divine wrath which was about to strike the earth, and in particular a
certain place, which for good reasons I cannot name, I began to implore the
Angel to hold off for a few moments, and the world would do penance. But my
plea was a mere nothing in the face of divine anger. Just then I saw the
Most Holy Trinity. The greatness of Its majesty pierced me deeply, and I did
not dare to repeat my entreaties. At that very moment I felt in my soul the
power of Jesus' grace which dwells in my soul. When I became conscious of this
grace, I was instantly snatched up before the Throne of God. Oh how great is
Our Lord and God and how incomprehensible His holiness! I will make no attempt
to this greatness, because before long we shall see Him as He is. I found
myself pleading with God for the world with words heard interiorly.
As I was praying in this manner, I saw the Angel's
helplessness: he could not carry out the just punishment which was rightly
due for sins. Never before had I prayed
with such inner power as I did then. (Diary, # 474)
The words with which I entreated God are these: "Eternal
Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly
beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ for our sins and those of the whole world;
for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us."
The
next morning, when I entered the chapel, I heard these words interiorly: "Every
time you enter the chapel, immediately recite the prayer which I taught you
yesterday." When I had said the prayer, in my soul I heard these
words: "This prayer will serve to appease My wrath. You will recite it
for nine days, on the beads of the rosary, in the following manner: First of
all, you will say one OUR FATHER and HAIL MARY and the I BELIEVE IN GOD. Then
on the OUR FATHER beads you will say the following words: 'Eternal Father, I
offer You the Body Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our
Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.' On
the HAIL MARY beads you will say the following words: 'For the sake of His sorrowful
Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.' In conclusion, three times
you will recite these words: 'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.'" (Diary, #
474)
St.
Faustina wrote before:
“The
entire paragraph shows the context with mortifications: “Before the
eight day retreat, I went to my spiritual director and asked him for certain
mortifications for the time of the retreat. However, I did not receive
permission for every-thing I asked for, but for some things only. I received
permission for one hour of meditation in the Passion of the Lord Jesus and for
a certain humiliation. But I was a little dissatisfied at not receiving
permission for everything I had asked for I had asked. When we returned home, I
dropped into the chapel for a moment, and then I heard this voice in my soul:
- ‘There
is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is
to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood;
-
the contemplation of My painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings
Me great joy. I am surprised that you
still have not completely renounced your self will ...’." (St. Faustina, Diary,
369)
**********
PRAYER VIGILS HAPPENING NOW!
Many parishes, including Assumption Grotto are offering opportunities for Adoration, public Rosary and more. Check the com-box in this post at Father Z's blog where some others have noted places to pray tonight and tomorrow. Add to his list there if you are aware of others.
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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski
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