Well feel as if all is lost, that God no longer loves us, that he has abandoned us. 120 People sometimes allow the devil to take possession of their souls. Moreover, by striving to quench his thirst for love, by loving him in return, we have mercy on him. And this firm belief stemmed from her insight into Gods amazing mercy. She also solves the mystery as to why so many sinners are often so blind to the fact that theyre sinners. It focuses on the twin and mutually complementary themes of love and luminosity- the core of Islamic mysticism. Be happy! Also, she herself helps open our hearts to receive that mercy. That is what mercy is. Pere de la Trinite, OCD, at www.fransciscan-sfb.org/ap/litftvrpu.htm (accessed January 10, 2012). Specifically, we learned that shes a prophet of mercy who an nounces Gods desire in the present time of mercy to work the amazing miracle of mercy of forming us into great saints through the Little Way. Now; at this point, many of us may be enthusiastically agreeing, Thats right! DAY 33 Putting It All Together For the last four days, weve been reviewing die last four weeks of our retreat. Finally, it is to he worried about nothing, and not to he set on earning our living. It seems that it did, and the reason should become clear as we proceed. And, in fact, the line that follows this paragraph makes it even clearer: Oh! The word conse cration means to set apart for God. And while we can get to the Fountain of Mercy with out making a Marian consecration, such a consecration enables us to drink from it so much more deeply and easily. She was actually quite big. And then theyd go on about Thereses impressive virtues, desires, sacrifices, and sufferings such that Id think to myself: Well, maybe the Little Way is too big for me. Wash ington, DC 20002 U.S.A. wTVTv.icspublications.org INTRODUCTION Meet Three Friends Id like to begin by introducing three friends. Yet, my heart senses You, and my trust grows, and I see all Your omnipotence which upholds me. Let it be a sign for you. Sec die full quote, which refers to the Paschal mystery, but has to do with all that [Christ] did: His Paschal mystery is a real event that occurred in our history, but it is unique: all other historical events happened once, and then they pass away, swallowed up in the past. She goes on crying just the same {Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, trans. 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! I hope youll find these three recommen dations helpful for learning to see through the lens of mercy. Also, if you do get an Image of Divine Mercy', you may want to consider enthroning it in your home. Upon realizing this, Therese was moved to such a profound compassion for Jesus that, for the purpose of consoling his Heart, she invited him to give her all the mercy that other souls reject. 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). And can you make out the other main ideas in the middle paragraphs? Now, while its beautiful to have a compassionate heart, it does hurt. Were you to say that, shed probably look you in the eye and respond in all seriousness, My friend, theres none more lowly than I. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Endnotes 199 182 Again, for group recitation, I recommend the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful 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 . During Mass, the young nun received the inspiration and burning desire to offer herself to Merciful Love. And to little souls like us, if we accept it, his greatness is shown in the way that he will give us a share in his own greatness and glory. It was because of peoples lack offaith. Journey with St. Therese of Lisieux and conclude with a consecration to Divine Mercy in a 33 day preparation retreat--Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-202) Week one: What is trust? 55 In Stock. You, at least, come to Me 74 33 DAVS TO MERCIFUL LOVE as often as possible and take these graces they do not want to accept. For St. Therese, its all about trust. Recognizing the darkness that comes from being little, helpless, and weak. 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. I mean that in the sense that Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta meant when shed often say, God does not call us to be successful but to be faithful. In other words, applied to our spiritual lives, the Lord doesnt demand that we attain all the virtues (success) but that we simply keep trying (faithfulness). Why? Think of it: The One who doesnt need us decided to make himself need us! Even though she writes like one of the thieves of hope, I thank God for Marie. Given these two statements of Sr. Genevieve (above and in the body text), I dare say that she may have a deeper and more nuanced grasp of Endnotes 185 the nature of the suffering that comes with the Offenng to Merciful Love than does her sister Pauline (Mother xAgnes of Jesus), who simply testified that, according to Therese, to give yourself to love was to give yourself up to suffering (By Those Who Knew Her, p. 47). DAY 8 None More Lowly 1 just said that perhaps no one among sinful humanity is more lowly and little than Therese of Lisieux. Let me begin to explain this by saying something about a seemingly unrelated topic: conscience. They do have sins, and lots of them. (Actually, I did put it myself because I just para phrased her thoughts, but you get the idea.) 112 Ive written a whole book explaining how we can show mercy and so hope to receive it. So, thats the catch! Mark said, No problem. For Therese, that is the true and greatest holiness. I am now delivered up to the full justice of God but it is my fault. The pleasing and consoling language has to do with a desire simply to love God for who he is (perfect love). And so God uses another woman, a New Eve, to help heal the wound that the old Eve caused a New Eve, a woman, who was announced from die beginning, a woman who would be at enmity with Satan, a woman whose offspring would crush die serpents head (see Gen 3:15). I myself will attend to the sanctification of such souls. 21 Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964, 58. Well, its when God doesnt pass us like the priest and Levite but, rather, like the Samaritan, comes to us where we are, sees our weakness, brokenness, and misery, and then acts to heal us and bring us to a place of comfort and rest. That is, the Holy Face is not a smiling, happy face. Yes, she rediscovered the very heart of the Gospel, the Good News that God lifts up the lowly: We are living now in an age of inventions, and we no longer have to take the trouble of climbing stairs, for, in the homes of the rich, an elevator has replaced these very successfully. Why? 144 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE Look at it like this: From our perspective, the great souls are, well, thegreat souls'. Finally, in Genesis 22, God put Abrahams faith to the ultimate test when he commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. So here are just three tilings I rec ommend by way of final preparation: (1) If possible, make a good Confession. add to cart. His tender mercy comes rushing into our hardened hearts, purifying diem and, thereby, making them more compassionate, loving, and sensitive. Mother Agnes replied, Oh, no, never; she constantly repeated it, and her whole life revolved around it. I Myself will defend it as My own glory (48). The first objection has to do with yesterdays reflection on purgatory. Perhaps it makes us say, But what about all those poor people who arent getting the graces that Im taking? Well, first of all, keep in mind that the 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 84 graces well be receiving have already been rejected. Lord, You know it, I have no other treasures than the souls it has pleased You to unite to mine; it is You who entrusted these treasures to me (Story ofa Soul, p. 254). So, whats a spiritual communion? A: Pray for us. What a sweet joy it is to dtink that God is Just, i.e., dtat He takes into account our weakness, that He is perfectly aware of our fragile nature. If Jesus sees this litde bit of good will in the soul. And I can say in all sincerity that my house is at rest. Well, amazingly God allows this principle to apply to his relationship with us in Christ Jesus. After all, I figured that only the "quickest and easiest" path could help someone like me to become a saint. But, of course, we cant just sit back, relax, and enjoy such happiness. But here God was calling on Abraham to sacrifice Isaac! All our justice is stained in Your eyes. the Love and merits of the Blessed Virgin, my dear Mother. If we choose to be merciful to others, then God will be merciful with us. That is the mystery she wanted to glorify, the main mys tery that formed her conscience. Weve seen the divine sun and have been warmed by its rays. Well, everything. It is a long, slippery slope that cannot be iden tified simply as a series of sins. Since You loved me so much as to give me Your only Son as my Savior and my Spouse, the infinite 135 136 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE treasures of His merits are mine. Witness that 1 choose to accept St. Thereses help as 1 prepare to offer myself to Merciful Love. Now, before we begin the retreat itself, I thought I'd include an introduction to Marian consecration. The reason has to do with her revolutionary approach to two virtues: magnanimity and humility. 70-71. Heres what I mean: Jesus likes to keep little souls little. Wash ington, DC 20002 U.S.A. wTvw.icspublications.org From General Correspondence Volume One translated by John Clarke, O.C.D. After all, we just heard that Jesus told St. Faustina that shed die of terror if he showed her her wretchedness. 17 Ibid. Thats all well and good, but I dont always feel full of praise and thanks, especially when its hard to be grateful because of lifes hurts. Isnt that the truth? Its going to be on St. Therese of Lisieux and her Little Way. Still, to humor him, I replied, Oh, yeah, what book is that? For the second time, Mark changed my life. Ah, but thats not fair to die big souls! But I didnt feel that he was also speaking to my heart, asking me to write such a book. 170 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE Because Jesus was so moved by St. Thereses ardent love for him, he gave her a beautiful insight into the mystery of his Heart. Its exactly what we need, namely, his mercy entering into our emptiness. My old friend -ZTLfrom college had said to me on the phone, You need to do for the Offering to Merciful Love of St. Thercse of Lisicux what you did for Marian consecration. Let me unpack that a bit. In times of darkness, when youre tempted to think theres no way you can become a saint remember that smile. In other words, after he flattens us with his overwhelming love, God then lifts us up and fills us with his love so we actually can love him as he loves WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness 99 ns. But while Mary far surpasses Abraham as an example of faith, she also provides somediing that Abraham cannot: the grace to believe, the grace to trust. Help me to believe that with God nothing will be impossible. But if that's not enough, then please consider Thereses own words about making the Offering to Merciful Love as a little soul: I am only a child, powerless and weak, and yet it is my weakness that gives me the boldness of offering myself as VICTIM of Tour Love, 0 Jesus! Id like to focus on two reasons. And while the Mass truly does make present the sublime worship of heaven, our eyes remain blind to the myriad of angels praising the Lord, the countless throng of saints gathered around the altar, and die overwhelming glory of Our Savior giving himself over to our loving and merciful Father. The all powerful God man, the one who walks on water, casts out demons, and heals the deaf and the blind that great man, in a certain sense, is powerless when we dont give him our faith! I want no other Throne, no other Crown but Tou, my Beloved! Obscured text at back cover due to sticker. Don't forget!] 'Nevertheless, her trust in God's mercy during that time, and God's faithfulness to her, became the confirmation of her Little Way. 2M Ibid. This is the out moment of breathing. But for now, today, lets console Jesus and live out our trust in Gods mercy by making a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving with Mary. While it was great to hear from him, I had to tell him I couldnt talk because I was rushing to meet a book deadline the next day. Remain in me as in a tabernacle and never separate Yourself from Your little victim. Praem., Fr. But theres another daily bread, a daily bread we also must share in if we are to live the Little Way: the bread of daily darkness. Mary, Our Mother of Mercy, help us to faithfully live our Offering to Gods Merciful Love. Each item in this packet was thoughtfully chosen as an aid to bring participants deeper into understanding, preparing for, and living out their consecration to Jesus through Mary. Be the first to ask a question about 33 Days, to Morning Glory Retreat Companion. I have always noticed that when I compared myself to the saints, there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by passers-by. 49 Ibid. Like the Saint of the Little Way, St. Faustina also received the grace of having Holy Communion remain within her: September 29, [1937]. And what does trust in Jesus mean? This highlights the truth that asking for rejected mercy is not a selfish act, and it doesnt take graces away from others. In fact, the entire last chapter of the encyclical is a sustained teaching on the importance of calling out for Gods mercy even with loud cries" (15). (Or maybe it was die other way around.) Father Mike, do we have a consecration to Divine Mercy? No. And when our focus is not on ourselves when were suffering, while it certainly still hurts, we often don't even notice our own pain. She remained steadfast in faith as she held onto the words spoken to her by the Lord and pondered them in her heart. (More on that tomorrow.) The Litde Way is not about taking away die dryness of everyday life. To use Thereses own words, her teaching set me full sail upon the waves of confidence and love.1 18 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE With this book, I now want to share those amazing treas ures that gave me hope in the seminary and inspire me still. It is then that He particularly deserves mercy from the people to whom He has done good, and He does not receive it . Consoling the Heart of Jesus Prayer Companion by Michael E. Gaitley, 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Divine Mercy Consecration, by Father Michael Gaitley, Murano Glass Bead Rosary Bracelet ZBLTMOSA, St. Michael Statue Cold-Cast Bronze Lightly Hand-Painted 10" SR-74997, 10" Cherry Holy Verse Cross, Our Father Prayer Pewter Plaque, 10" Cherry Holy Verse Cross, John 3:16 Pewter Plaque. My [(fill in the blank: virtues, talents, many gifts, etc.)] She chose mercy, and so, even Gods Justice seemed to her clothed in love." Okay, so with that in mind, now reflect on the idea that Mary probably has more motherly love in her Immaculate Heart than all other mothers combined. A smiling, happy Face to offer myself to Merciful love. take graces away from others she chose,! Love God for who he is ( perfect love ) to accept St. Thereses help as prepare! And my trust grows, and her little Way two virtues: magnanimity and humility Gods Merciful love ''! 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