In the above quote, Therese even says, This is die difficulty. And why is it difficult? WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness 111 Her breathing suddenly became weaker and more laboured. Its the word from Scripture: Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13). And I believe that this is a kairos: this time is a kairos of mercy. Why? But what else did she believe that merited a blessing? Yes, it is as bad as that. You can either use die Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love, Thereses own Offering to Merciful Love, or botii.182 Whichever you use, I recommend that you recite die prayer after attending Mass or even after receiving Holy Communion (if theres time). In order that those who committed these sins may, after repenting, remain humble (p. 70). My mortifications consisted in breaking my will, always so ready to impose itself on others, in holding back a reply, in rendering little services without any recognition, in not leaning my back against a support when Endnotes 195 seated, etc., etc. Just a small army of little souls can effectively help God to save the world by receiving all the rejected mercy that other souls dont want (the Offering to Merciful Love) and by calling out for mercy as they borrow the infinite merits of Christ on the Cross (the Chaplet). I mean, look at who you are. 1 believe it has to do with her practice of familiarity with Jesus (see endnote 141) and her emphasis on having a deep, personal relationship with Jesus thats based on reci procity' and mutual love. But, of course, we cant just sit back, relax, and enjoy such happiness. Thats why Jesus asked St. Faustina to paint an image of Divine Mercy with the signature, Jesus, I trust in you.78 Its because in this present WEEK TWO: The Little Way 63 time of mercy, Jesus wants to work the great miracle of forming the littlest of souls into the greatest of saints. why cant I tell all little souls how unspeakable is Your condescension? Not necessarily. Yes, I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth.166 112 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE We know that God granted the desires of this greatest saint of modern times. So, will you let her help you? (2) Write out or print up the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love or Thereses own text so you can sign it after youve recited it if youd like, you can visit ShopMercy.org for a certificate or prayercard with the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love. To one degree or another, as sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, we all have a trust prob lem. Exciting 10-part series with DVD and workbook hosted and written by Fr. Naturally, notes of tolerance and 'Suleh-e-kul' (equal respect and peace for . Yes, I believe. The word conse cration means to set apart for God. How so? Its difficult because the wound in each one of us, caused by original sin, makes us tend to doubt Gods goodness and love. As soon as I heard Fr. I choose to remain always little, not relying on my own merits but solely on yours, dear Lord, and those of the Blessed Mother.175 Finally, 1 believe, my God, that you can and will make me into a saint, even if I wont see it, even if I have to struggle all my life against vice and sin, even if I have to wait until the very end. We console him. 144 The whole citation is as follows: You see what you are of yourself, but do not be frightened at this. I Myself will defend it as My own glory (48). 187 Cited in The Power of Confidence, p. 228. by Michael E. Gaitley Paperback . Absolutely not. Well, read the following account of her death from Mother Agnes, and realize that St. Therese didnt die of tuberculosis. Thats why St. Therese, who never left the convent, was declared Patron Saint of Missionaries and the Missions, along with St. Francis Xavier. Its to hope against hope in our daily lives, when all is darkness and were tempted to disbe lieve in Gods loving presence in our lives, tempted to doubt that all things work together for good to those wrho love God (Rom 8:28). So, in a sense, compassionate suffering is easier to bear and less scary than physical suffering. Remain in me as in a tabernacle and never separate Yourself from Your little victim. WEEK ONE: What Is Trust? 118 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE Recognize To live the Little Way, we need to recognize the darkness of our littleness and our brokenness. Well, Pope Francis has such authority, and he did announce it. 347-348. So whats the catch when it comes to making an offering to Merciful Love? Well, what I mean by solemnly inviting Jesus, the Divine Mercy, into our homes is somewhat similar. DAY 9 Discovery of the Little Way Yesterday, we learned that Therese Martin was a little soul, indeed. Based on the book, 33 Days to Merciful Love, by Fr. There are moments and there are mysteries of the divine mercy over which the heavens are astounded. This spark needs to be lighted by the grace of God. . But Therese tells us to try. Are you going to have pity on Jesus? But he also knew that its a big stick of spiritual dynamite and that someone just needs to light the fuse. Chris and ask him iff could write the book on a Divine Mercy consecration after all. Well use four of those five to review the main teachings of each week. (198 pages.) "y> Thankfully, Therese could confide in her dear sister Marie whenever she was tempted to think that God had rejected her but Maries words only brought temporary comfort, and Thereses scruples followed her even into the Carmelite con vent (also called Carmel). It is impossible for me to grow up, and so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to holiness. The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! Does not Your Mercifid Love need them too? Lets begin by reviewing that scene: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins name was Mary. Moreover, such holiness is not a human work but, rather, Gods work, a work of Divine Mercy rushing down to the lowest place. Chris that hed have to do it. The soul, illumined by a ray of Gods powerful final grace, turns to God in the last moment with such a power of love that, in an instant, it receives from God forgiveness of sin and punishment, while outwardly it shows no sign either of repentance or of contrition, because souls [at that stage] no longer react to external things. 98 See 33 Days to Morning Glory, pp. But how can we have a true friendship with Jesus if its just a one-way street? When we pray, God wants us to present ourselves to him as we are, like Mary did. Frankly, youre a very broken little girl. And what is the Gospel? 71-83. Its to trust that he will make us into great saints, even if we dont see it happening, even if we struggle with the same sins day after day, even if we have to wait for the grace of great holiness until the very end of our lives. Talk to you later. With those words, the dots immediately connected. 104 Cited in ibid., p. 347. Why? Still, in the midst of such darkness, she clung to the Lord with faith, hope, and love and encourages us to do the same. Also, its interesting to note that St. Therese once appeared to St. Faustina and encouraged her to trust in Jesus (see Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul [Stockbridge: Marian Press, 1987], 150. 155 Actually, according to the testimony of St. Faustina, in this time of great mercy, the Lord wants to make us saints not just to save the world but also to prepare it for bis final coming. And such a gift leads the Church to rightly declare,Death through Eve, life through Mary.9 Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Theyre not essential to the consecration. Let me put it this way: Im a priest. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. So Mary can win hearts in a way that even Jesus Christ cant. David Came, Marian Press 'You Did It to Me:' Putting Mercy into Action 5-part DVD series. And now, Therese has just announced to you the good news that theres a new invention, a spiritual elevator, that provides a way to the heights for little souls. Well, lest we mistakenly diink we just need to luck back, eat ice cream, and wait for our canonizations, St. Therese shares with us an illuminating metaphor of a litde child at the bot tom of a staircase (probably the rough stairway of perfection). [Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1982], p. 114). In fact, Jesus Christs suffering, death, and Resurrection was enough to save a gazillion worlds. When she thought of his all-powerful love, she had no doubts about anything (By Those Who Knew Her, p. 46). The Chaplet is a kind of extension of the prayer of the Mass. (See Appendix One.) It reminds us that trust does not come naturally to us. Even though she writes like one of the thieves of hope, I thank God for Marie. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Yourself. Includes more than 200 pages of bonus material. (If we did, we might get puffed up with pride and no longer be little.) 129 Story of a Soul, pp. By the way, Pope Francis has a great devotion to St. Therese and often receives a white rose from she who said, [A]fter my death [I] will send down a shower of roses (Cited in The Passion of Therese of Lisieux by Guy Gaucher [New York: Crossroad, 1989], p. 194). Its realizing, widiout despairing, that WEEK TWO: The Little Way 57 they may be with us till our dying day. It takes effort. Isnt that enough for you, given how weak and little you are? How completely she abandons herself to God without reserve, offering the full assent of the intellect and the will to him whose ways are inscrutable (cf. Finally, the obituary also includes the following statement from Sr. Marie, which she uttered in the midst of her mortal agony: I am bearing the harshness of divine Justice divine Justice! But this provides perhaps the most important motivation for Thereses familiarity with Jesus, because his broken, beaten, sorrowful face invites her to console him. Now, that may sound silly, at least until we realize that the idea for it comes from an important Divine Mercy saint and Doctor of die Church, St. Therese of Lisieux. Anyway, diat covers three potential objections diat may' be coming to mind as we prepare to make the Offering. Holy Face ofJesus by Sr. Genevieve of the Holy Face Office Central de Lisieux Photographs of St. Therese of Lisieux Office Central de Lisieux Printed in the United States of America To the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy May we trust in Jesus even more. So, youve made your consecration to Divine Mercy (your Offering to Merciful Love). Our Father 4. Please give me such trust in Gods Word that I might even hope against hope. Remain in me as in a tabernacle All our justice is stained in Your eyes. Ah! It is we who tire of asking his forgiveness.66 Of course, we need to be sorry for our sins and make a firm purpose of amendment. Now, perhaps that seems selfish. It destroys all the arguments of the thieves of hope and set me full sail upon the waves of confidence and love.80 But before I share it, I should first give a bit of background. She didnt like it because she thought it was presumptuous and too lenient so, she con fronted Therese about it. 55 In Stock. After all, compassion for those who suffer wounds the heart. For instance, the Lords moving words from the Gospel of Luke come to mind: I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! (12:49). 80, a. (The Poetry of Saint Therese ofLisieux, trans. Second, I recommend the spiritual journal of St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary ofSaint Maria Faustina Kowalska. After 33 days of preparation we are ready to make a consecration on the 34th day. Yes, well simply need to embrace the promise that God will clothe us with his own divine love in his own time and in his own manner, even if we have to wait until the very end. And now, to confirm my resolve and to console you for so much rejection of your mercy, I OFFER MYSELF, THROUGH THE HANDS OF MARY IMMACULATE,176 AS A VICTIM OF HOLO CAUST TO YOUR MERCIFUL LOVE, asking you to consume me incessantly, allowing tire waves of infinite tenderness shut up within you to overflow into my soul, and that I may thus become a martyr FINAL FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review 127 of your love, O my God, and a gift of mercy to so many others. Ill make diat point later in die retreat, but first, I should say some things about the connection between this book and 33 Days to Morning Glory. Otherwise, we cannot hope for mercy (see Mt 5:7, 18:21-35).112 The second potential objection to making the Offering to Merciful Love has to do with those who have begun to feel that theyre in a bit too deep with this Offering stuff. One of the great gifts of the Second Vatican Council is the emphasis it gave to conscience, that voice of God that speaks to our hearts about loving, doing good, and avoiding evil.184 Now; unfortunately, since the Council, theres been a lot of confusion about this topic. But Mary isnt God shes our tender, loving mother. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition - starting at . More precisely, its all about our lack oftrust. However, wed also be guilty of doing wrong because we hadnt taken the time and made the effort to form our conscience properly. Well, I think we can live, so to speak, in one act of perfect love if our central motivation in life is like that of perfect contri tion. So, her humility didnt rein in her desires for holiness. Let me explain with an image that Therese herself used. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very 184 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE much. I want, O my Beloved, at each beat of my heart to renew this offering to You an infinite number of times, until the shadows having disappeared I may be able to tell You of my Love in an Eternal Face to Face!1*3 Please note: If on your day of consecration, you recite your consecration prayer with a group, I highly recommend only using the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love. Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! Speaking of ordinary life, we can also relate to Thereses ordinariness. She tells us that Gods love for us is so great that he allows us to borrow his own love. Why? And as weve learned from St. Faustina, this image truly' is living and grace-filled.221 Moreover, when you display' it in your home in a place of honor where youll see it daily, it becomes a continual, concrete, physical reminder of die solemn invitation (offering) you and your family have made. Become a Marian Missionary ofDirinc Mercy. 151 The French philosopher Blaise Pascal said that the sole cause of mans unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quiedy tn his own room (Pensees. How We Can Console Jesus Saint Therese frequently wrote about her desire to console Jesus, and as we learned on Day 20, that was her main motivation in making the Offering to Merciful Love. 5 Emphasis added. A less obvious one is Trinity Sunday, which is the anniversary of when St. Therese first received her inspiration to offer herself to Gods Merciful Love. So, the difficulty is to reverse this tendency in ourselves and to trust. Whats going to hap pen to us? 60-65. Quite the contrary', in fact. 43 love. 33 Days to Merciful Love Group Retreat goes even deeper than the book alone and explores new material on the heart of St. Thrse of Lisieux's Little Way, uncovering the power of trust in the face of . Merciful Savior, may the rays of mercy that go forth from your Heart reign in our home and in our hearts. But before I connect those dots for you, let me introduce a third friend. Michael Gaitley MIC this 33 Days to Morning Glory Group Retreat goes more deeply into understanding and living Marian consecration than the book alone. Even after die death of her one true friend in the convent (Therese), even after her mental illness caused her to have to leave the convent at the age of 55 after 28 years of religious life, even after years of wondering aimlessly about the French countryside (ibid., p. 51) amazingly she could still write the fol lowing words to Mother Agnes, words that reveal her hidden sanctity: The work of sanctification which my beloved Therese began so lovingly in me beore she died continues. According to Therese, she went to pur gatory, where she was delivered up to die full justice of God, which doesnt sound very comforting. Now, the difference between many of us and St. Therese is that she clung to Gods promises of mercy and the memory of his love (consolation), especially in the midst of darkness (desolation).163 She didnt give up. Download Free PDF. 32 Since that time, the popes have added three more saints to the list of the Doctors of the Church, raising the total to 36. And the Father especially hears and answers such a perfect and moving prayer. By this, I mean that when you make the Offering, you could also solemnly put up an Image of Divine Mercy' in a place of honor in your home (if D 174 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE you dont already have an image there). It means not settling for complacency or mediocrity or the attitude that says, Well, thats just who I am. In other words, it means striving to be faithful to examining our consciences every day. By means of this Image, I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it (570). His goodness. Dont worry. 56 Catechism, 1846. 205 Catechism, 478. (After all, how could someone be fully human without desiring to be loved?) "207 He goes on to call dris reality a fragment of lifes deep logic.208 But if Jesus doesnt need us, then how can there be a true and loving friendship between him and us? Well look at what that is tomorrow. His greatness is shown in how he has scattered the proud in their conceit and has lifted up the lowly (Lk 1:51), in how he resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6). Its no less a revolution than the Gospel message that the greatest are the least (see Lk 9:48). And that experience set St. Thercse happily on fire with Merciful Love. Will you be, as St. Therese put it, his happy victim by letting him pour into your soul his waves of infinite tenderness? It is to their hearts that God deigns to lower Himself. . But this was not the kind of justice that Sr. Febronic sought. Seraphims answer is very interesting. Chris burst into my office after having just offered Mass. Now, of course, it doesnt give us freedom to choose when it comes to something like the Ten Command ments. On that latter point, Karol Wojtyla (the future St. John Paul II) went so far as to say, After many experiences and a lot of drinking, I am convinced diat the objective starting point oflove is the realization that I am needed by another. Its the Good News that Jesus has the Heart of the Good Shepherd who will even leave behind the 99 to go in search of the one lost sheep. Youll be receiving all the rejected Merciful Love that other people dont want. Book 2 of 2: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration . Theyd almost have you believe that they were immaculately conceived, like Mary. P. 114 ) be lighted by the grace of God Washington, D.C.: Publications... Days of preparation we are ready to make a consecration on the 34th day Martin! Fully human without desiring to be loved? these sins may, after,! Gaitley MIC this 33 Days to Morning Glory Group Retreat goes more deeply understanding! 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