"Diary - Divine Mercy in my Soul"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Is anyone reading or re-reading this beautiful book by St. Faustina during our Year of Mercy? I’d be happy to hear your thoughts. I’ve read this book but re-reading (in my experience) is almost like reading it for the first time. Sometimes I ask myself, “Did I miss this part before?”

Please feel free to offer general comments if you are reading or re-reading this book. If you’d like to discuss something specific that St. Faustina wrote or if you want to ask questions on the book, please use the paragraph numbers. It is easier to answer something, in the context in which it was written. Presently, re-reading, I’m only at paragraph 122 at but I’ll be glad to move around the book to discuss it with anyone.

St. Faustina was a religious in the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, and has great love for Our Blessed Mother. Her writings help us appreciate God’s Mercy as revealed to her humble and childlike soul. It’s good to learn from saints as they learned from Jesus and Mary. Hopefully, others reading and being blessed by this book will be willing to share on this thread. Thanks.

 

[friardchips]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Is anyone reading or re-reading this beautiful book by St. Faustina during our Year of Mercy? I’d be happy to hear your thoughts. I’ve read this book but re-reading (in my experience) is almost like reading it for the first time. Sometimes I ask myself, “Did I miss this part before?”

Please feel free to offer general comments if you are reading or re-reading this book. If you’d like to discuss something specific that St. Faustina wrote or if you want to ask questions on the book, please use the paragraph numbers. It is easier to answer something, in the context in which it was written. Presently, re-reading, I’m only at paragraph 122 at but I’ll be glad to move around the book to discuss it with anyone.

St. Faustina was a religious in the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, and has great love for Our Blessed Mother. Her writings help us appreciate God’s Mercy as revealed to her humble and childlike soul. It’s good to learn from saints as they learned from Jesus and Mary. Hopefully, others reading and being blessed by this book will be willing to share on this thread. Thanks.

Hello Maria-Christi!

I have a question from the book. In a few pages of the book, Fr. Sopocko has given some specific spiritual guidance to St. Faustina, and this is around the time that the saint is contemplating and communicating with the Divine Child - the emphasis to work with is “simplicity” and “humility” (as said by the Lord). The holy priest says to not worry about things from the past or things to come about in the future but rather that the present moment is where we are called. So, my question to you is this: how does approaching and carrying out possible spiritual inspirations work if we only reside in the present moment?: to approach even striking inspirations with caution, maybe?; approach inspirations with prayer instead of action?; does the season of festivity (and if so, how) change the way in which we might discern between resting in the “moment” and planning decisive actions (with a mind to Advent in particular, seeing as this is where we are now)?

Thank you.

F.C.

 

[MiserableSinner]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Is anyone reading or re-reading this beautiful book by St. Faustina during our Year of Mercy? I’d be happy to hear your thoughts. I’ve read this book but re-reading (in my experience) is almost like reading it for the first time. Sometimes I ask myself, “Did I miss this part before?”

Please feel free to offer general comments if you are reading or re-reading this book. If you’d like to discuss something specific that St. Faustina wrote or if you want to ask questions on the book, please use the paragraph numbers. It is easier to answer something, in the context in which it was written. Presently, re-reading, I’m only at paragraph 122 at but I’ll be glad to move around the book to discuss it with anyone.

St. Faustina was a religious in the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, and has great love for Our Blessed Mother. Her writings help us appreciate God’s Mercy as revealed to her humble and childlike soul. It’s good to learn from saints as they learned from Jesus and Mary. Hopefully, others reading and being blessed by this book will be willing to share on this thread. Thanks.

Yes. And I need to remember to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy more often.

I always recommend this Diary to people. It helps us understand God’s plan for the redemption of mankind and how we can play our part in it. It helps us understand suffering with Christ. It helps us understand humility and love.

St Faustina please pray for us

 

[MariaChristi]

Hello Maria-Christi!

I have a question from the book. In a few pages of the book, Fr. Sopocko has given some specific spiritual guidance to St. Faustina, and this is around the time that the saint is contemplating and communicating with the Divine Child - the emphasis to work with is “simplicity” and “humility” (as said by the Lord). The holy priest says to not worry about things from the past or things to come about in the future but rather that the present moment is where we are called. So, my question to you is this: how does approaching and carrying out possible spiritual inspirations work if we only reside in the present moment?: to approach even striking inspirations with caution, maybe?; approach inspirations with prayer instead of action?; does the season of festivity (and if so, how) change the way in which we might discern between resting in the “moment” and planning decisive actions (with a mind to Advent in particular, seeing as this is where we are now)?

Thank you.

F.C.

Dear F.C.

Thanks for your reply and for your questions. We all need to remember that while this Saint’s Diary, and all approved private revelations are given that we may better live the Gospel (cf CCC 67), some words are intended for the saint to practice personally; while other words, depending on our own particular vocation may be heard by all of us as God’s Will for all His children.

Every moment of our lives is a gift and we only really have the present moment in which to act. Memories from the past may help or hinder us, and so Father Sopocko’s advice is really true to the Gospel in which we hear Jesus telling us not to worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6: 25 -34) It also helps us to appreciate the immediate obedience of the disciples who left all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11 and Matthew 9:9)

In the first letter of John we hear the Lord tell us: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God, for may false prophets have gone out into the world.” St. Faustina prayed for a true and holy priest to direct her and God gave Fr. Sopocko to her in answer to her prayer. She was humble and knew the human spirit can be deceived. She did not want to be deceived and we too need to be wary of falsehood in our own spirit and/or in the spirit of another who may deceive us.

It is very difficult to find a good spiritual director in the current culture in which we are living. Yet God does not leave us without reliable guides. We have Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We have saints like St. Faustina, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Louis de Montfort, St. John Paul II, and some holy priests today who can help us. The Lord continues to speak to us through others.

Early in her religious life St. Faustina sought help from her superiors and one of them realized she could not help her and told her to talk to a priest. St. Faustian realized not all priests have the the special graces to direct souls and so she began to beg God for someone who could guide her into the Truth she needed. God gave her Father Spopocko.

St. Therese of Lisieux on the other hand never seemed to need any priest beyond her ordinary confessor. Apparently, little Therese had no unusual experiences like apparitions or locutions, as did St. Faustina so the Gospels lived faithfully as a humble Carmitle sister were enough for her to achieve a high degree of holiness. St. Faustina had a special mission from God and so needed a special Spiritual Director. (I believe Fr. Soppcko’s Cause for Beatification has been introduced in Rome).

Bottom line to all your questions, it seems to me F.C. is that the Church has given us the Liturgical Year in which we ponder the Life of Christ. The Church gives us the Sacraments as channels of grace to begin our supernatural lives in Him (at Baptism) and to strengthen us on our journey to the Beatific Vision and union with the Trinity in the perfection of Charity. Prayer is essential and it always precedes any action. If we are doubtful about an action, it is good to seek counsel before we enter into it, but if we have prayed earnestly and find no reason why we should not do something, and have an inner conviction of the need to do an act of charity immediately, then it seems good to me to do it. Hope that helps.

 

[MariaChristi]

Yes. And I need to remember to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy more often.

I always recommend this Diary to people. It helps us understand God’s plan for the redemption of mankind and how we can play our part in it. It helps us understand suffering with Christ. It helps us understand humility and love.

St Faustina please pray for us

Dear MiserableSinner,

I try to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after I pray my Rosary each day. While it is recommended that we pray the chaplet at 3 pm each day, I’m not often able to do that. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I can’t pray it after the Rosary either so I pray it right before I go to sleep. Sometimes if I wake up during the night and can’t get back to sleep I pray it again – I often think the Lord may have let me wake up just so I can pray the chaplet for someone who may be dying and really need that help.

The Diary for me too is a help towards humility and the willingness to suffer for love of God – especially in the little events of life, when I’m tempted to be discouraged or disappointed by someone or something. It is also an encouragement to me to know God has mercy on the humble and needy who cry out to Him for themselves and for others.

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, I place my trust in You!
Mary humble Mother of us all, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.
St. Faustina, humble “Apostle of Mercy” pray for us.

 

[friardchips]

Dear F.C.

Thanks for your reply and for your questions. We all need to remember that while this Saint’s Diary, and all approved private revelations are given that we may better live the Gospel (cf CCC 67), some words are intended for the saint to practice personally; while other words, depending on our own particular vocation may be heard by all of us as God’s Will for all His children.

Every moment of our lives is a gift and we only really have the present moment in which to act. Memories from the past may help or hinder us, and so Father Sopocko’s advice is really true to the Gospel in which we hear Jesus telling us not to worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6: 25 -34) It also helps us to appreciate the immediate obedience of the disciples who left all to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11 and Matthew 9:9)

In the first letter of John we hear the Lord tell us: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God, for may false prophets have gone out into the world.” St. Faustina prayed for a true and holy priest to direct her and God gave Fr. Sopocko to her in answer to her prayer. She was humble and knew the human spirit can be deceived. She did not want to be deceived and we too need to be wary of falsehood in our own spirit and/or in the spirit of another who may deceive us.

It is very difficult to find a good spiritual director in the current culture in which we are living. Yet God does not leave us without reliable guides. We have Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We have saints like St. Faustina, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Louis de Montfort, St. John Paul II, and some holy priests today who can help us. The Lord continues to speak to us through others.

Early in her religious life St. Faustina sought help from her superiors and one of them realized she could not help her and told her to talk to a priest. St. Faustian realized not all priests have the the special graces to direct souls and so she began to beg God for someone who could guide her into the Truth she needed. God gave her Father Spopocko.

St. Therese of Lisieux on the other hand never seemed to need any priest beyond her ordinary confessor. Apparently, little Therese had no unusual experiences like apparitions or locutions, as did St. Faustina so the Gospels lived faithfully as a humble Carmitle sister were enough for her to achieve a high degree of holiness. St. Faustina had a special mission from God and so needed a special Spiritual Director. (I believe Fr. Soppcko’s Cause for Beatification has been introduced in Rome).

Bottom line to all your questions, it seems to me F.C. is that the Church has given us the Liturgical Year in which we ponder the Life of Christ. The Church gives us the Sacraments as channels of grace to begin our supernatural lives in Him (at Baptism) and to strengthen us on our journey to the Beatific Vision and union with the Trinity in the perfection of Charity. Prayer is essential and it always precedes any action. If we are doubtful about an action, it is good to seek counsel before we enter into it, but if we have prayed earnestly and find no reason why we should not do something, and have an inner conviction of the need to do an act of charity immediately, then it seems good to me to do it. Hope that helps.

Dear Maria-Christi,

Thank you for your responses, and the lengths you go to, to make sure you give answers. It would appear that St. Faustina, as you related in your response to M.S, shows that people can suffer for others. She didn’t necessarily try and personally sort every problem out for everyone, rather, she suffered, prayed and trusted. I think you are right in seeking council as these things can be hard to discern from person to person and what with the lack of spiritual guidance on offer generally, I’d say that efforts should be made in finding right courses of action, before making any move to act upon circumstances, depending of course, on how imminent a consequence might be, from not acting. I certainly don’t think worrying ever solves anything which is what pondering too much on past and future can produce. And this I feel your post reflected in its message. Thank you again for your reply.

Best wishes,

F.C.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Maria-Christi,

Thank you for your responses, and the lengths you go to, to make sure you give answers. It would appear that St. Faustina, as you related in your response to M.S, shows that people can suffer for others. She didn’t necessarily try and personally sort every problem out for everyone, rather, she suffered, prayed and trusted. I think you are right in seeking council as these things can be hard to discern from person to person and what with the lack of spiritual guidance on offer generally, I’d say that efforts should be made in finding right courses of action, before making any move to act upon circumstances, depending of course, on how imminent a consequence might be, from not acting. I certainly don’t think worrying ever solves anything which is what pondering too much on past and future can produce. And this I feel your post reflected in its message. Thank you again for your reply.

Best wishes,

F.C.

Dear F.C.,

It is often a “trap” that satan uses: if we start thinking too much about ourselves, we stop thinking about God. St. Faustina simply wanted the Truth, Who is God. She did not want to cooperate with any illusion. So it is good for us to check our distractions. Who or what am I thinking about and why? You are absolutely right: “worrying never solves anything”. Praying the words of the Lord’s prayer with attention and devotion solves much!

May we continue to be blessed by St. Faustina’s example of a loving and humble heart. On this Feast today of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may we remember her words to St. Juan Diego:

Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not in the crossing of my arms?

When we are in doubt or difficulties, let us turn to our Mother of Mercy. Let us cry to her and know she will turn her eye of Mercy toward us. She is the most loving of all mothers.

 

[lilpoppie]

I looked at my soul and all. I found was ****

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear lilpoppie,

Not sure I understand what you found, in your soul, but the purpose of the thread is to share what St. Faustina was given in her soul, by Jesus.

Since this is the Year of Mercy, as proclaimed by Pope Francis, it seemed a good time for me to re-read this book she wrote, which I had read some time ago. In revealing to her the Truth of His Divine Mercy, I believe Jesus is also speaking to us all. None of us can be exactly like St. Faustina, for God created each of us unique and unrepeatable. He has a unique plan for each one, yet all are called to holiness by His Mercy.

We may find looking into our own souls that Jesus wants us to make changes that will enable us to come closer to Him. His Mercy truly is offered to all Who come to Him, with an open and sincere heart.

If you have never read the book, you can read about it HERE