33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf

The event of the Cross and Resur rection abides and draws everything toward life. But for him to work this miracle, we need to give him our trust: Jesus, I trust in you. But maybe theres something holding us back. Also, regarding the idea of Gods amazing mercy for sinners being beyond the power of words to express, Jesus once said to St. Faustina, My daughter, do you think you have written enough about My mercy? Youre one who recognizes your poverty, weakness, brokenness, and sin. Ifyou say yes to this Offering, then it seems that Jesus would be happy not to hold back the waves of what? Three words summarize what we learned about trust: (1) Distrust, (2) Blessing, and (3) Grace. That is why Abraham truly is our father in faith. We stop feeling its rays. 33 Days to Merciful Love is the stirring sequel to the international sensation, 33 Days to Morning Glory. (Dublin: Veritas Publications, 1995), p. 49. Congratulations! In odier words, 1 encourage them, with their families, to solemnly invite Jesus, die King of Mercy, to reign in their homes and then to use die image as a sign, symbol, and reminder of this invitation. She didnt believe that humilitys role is to rein in the horses of her great desires for holiness. Well, when I saw that claim on the back of the book, I was sold. Address: Be the first to receive exclusive offers and the latest news on our products and services directly in your inbox. ISBN-13 : 9781596143456 Again, that is die glorious perfection of faith. And now I am simply resigned to see myself always imperfect and in this I find my joy. 147 Ibid., p. 256. 85 Cited in The Power of Confidence, p. 167. The Pope says that [t]hese loud cries [for mercy] should be the mark of the Church of our times (15). Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Whats the medication? My power is made perfect in weakness. Help me to believe in God and bis love for me, even when life seems meaningless, routine, and empty. Remain in me as in a tabernacle and never separate Yourself from Your little victim. Mother Agnes recalled the occasion during an interview: When she asked me this, her face was all lit up, as ifshe were on fire with love. But a mother, who 42 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE is not God, can often win over such straying hearts. Well use four of those five to review the main teachings of each week. More precisely, we learned that its all about our lack of trust and that the wound of original sin causes us to tend to hide from God because we doubt his goodness. It would be wonderful to pray it | One of the great blessings of being a priest is that I get to live in the same house as die Blessed Sacrament. 76 Niels Christian Hvidt, Christian Prophecy: The Post-Biblical Tradition (Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2007), p. vii. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times) Holy God, Holy Mights' One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. So here are just three tilings I rec ommend by way of final preparation: (1) If possible, make a good Confession. Youll be purified by love and, if you live die Litde Way and die Offering, you need have no fear of purgatory.180 Moreover, your heart will receive healing graces that will make it more sensitive and compassionate to die suffering of others. Now, who wouldnt want thatl Alright, but before you answer which path youll choose justice or mercy, harshness or tenderness Id like to bring in the testimony of another great saint of Divine Mercy. 1 aim to keep before my eyes my poverty, weakness, brokenness, and sin, trusting DAY OF CONSECRATION: 'The Happy Day' that my littleness and contrite heart will attract your Merciful Love. Maybe we want people to have to pay more for their sins. In short, she discovered her Little Way, and then her faith was tested, and then she passed the test every day, to the very end. This fire of mercy needs to be passed on to the world. I could say to Him like His aposdes: Master, I fished all night and caught nothing. More merciful to me than He was to His disciples, Jesus took the net Him self, cast it, and drew it in filled with fish (Story ofa Soul, pp. This introduction is not part of the 33 days of preparation. 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. Fr. Rather, the various weeks vcdll focus on one saint: Therese of Lisieux and her spiritual teaching. For example, a Carmelite nun (like St. Therese) makes religious vows so as to be set apart for God and to love and serve him through a life of contemplative prayer. We need only fear the sin of presumption where we seek to justify' ourselves and our behaviors without asking for forgiveness and mercy. 177 See Ahern, p. 84. .MK Okay, so I havent yet figured out how to renew the Offering to Merciful Love with every beat of the heart. Now, today, were going to reflect on how the love that fills up the abyss of our nothingness also overflows. Bur dont be afraid, for as well now see, this ocean is a wonderful thing to experience. So, in a bold move, she chooses to rely on Gods sanctity, a choice that carries into the next paragraph: (2) Since You loved me so much as to give me Your only Son as my Savior and my Spouse, the infinite treasures of His merits are mine. Alright, so how do we live that act of perfect love always as one act? Marc Foley, OCD, whose brilliant course on Therese of Lisieux opened my eyes to hidden treasures buried in the saints writings. 139 Ibid. However, if you trust in Jesus for the purpose of consoling him, then trust becomes an act of love. And while we find this key in words spoken about Mary at the time of the Visitation, the words themselves refer back to her response to the angel at the Annunciation. I want to work for Your Love alone with the one purpose of pleasing You, consoling Your Sacred Heart. The merits lan guage has to do with the reward of heaven (imperfect love). Webmas ters note: This article, in German, appears in the December 2001 and the January 2002 issue of Der Felsat www.der-feis.de/2001 /12-2001 .pdf and www.der-fels.de/2002/01 2002.pdf. So, once again, do you want to help save the world? After making her Offering to Merciful Love, St. Therese wasfilled with consolation. Its a masterpiece, especially the later chapters. For the next eight days (the Introduction and Week One St. Louis de Montfort), we'll begin our time with this Retreat Companion with the Angelus. But the key here is to notice how it 28 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE all began: It began with a lie, a lie about Gods Word, a lie that east doubt on Gods goodness and trustworthiness. She kept trusting throughout the darkness. Really, I am far from being a saint, and what I have just said is proof of this; instead of rejoicing, for example, at my aridity, I should attribute it to my little fervor and lack of fidelity; I should be desolate for having slept (for seven years) during my [Holy Hours] and my thanksgivings after Holy Communion; well, I am not desolate. Abrahams test was, above all, a test of faith. 36 Ibid. We must strive to forgive. aint Friend: A Source of Hope. However, at this point, perhaps some of us are experiencing at least something of St. Faustina Kowalskas own sentiments: It seems to me as though Jesus could not be happy without me, nor could I, without Him. But when will Therese get that love? Not only that, but Mary had to watch her child go tlirough a suffering worse than anyone has ever had to bear. I suggest that we can do so by living our lives with the one purpose of consoling Jesus through our attitude of trust, which means praising and thanking God in all things and in all circumstances. But that didnt bother her not in the least. Its no less a revolution than the Gospel message that the greatest are the least (see Lk 9:48). station19.cebu So, when we keep trying and keep trusting, God purifies [us] every moment in His love and He lets no sin remain. Okay, so that covers two of our three things for living the Little Way that we learned on Day 11: Keep trying and keep trusting. As I wras praying in this manner, I sawr the Angels help lessness: He could not carry out the just punishment which was rightly due for sins. But if you dont, I will. 111 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 144. Buy 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Divine Mercy Consecration by Father Michael Gaitley, Michael E Gaitley online at Alibris. But why did she pick the Holy Face? Even though the world is immersed in darkness, our situation isnt hopeless. But I dont understand why. Today is a day for us to realize that faith (trust) leads to joy great joy and to songs of praise. But that darkness eventually became Thereses joy, WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness 109 because she firmly believed and trusted that God would come down and raise her to the heights of heaven. 179 Story ofa Soul, p. 181. This blind hope in your mercy, O Lord, is my only treasure. Also, die image itself becomes a concrete realization of the invitation. Why did he put himself in need of mercy from us? Also, in a certain sense, even God needs her help. Truly blessed is she who clung to the memory of Gods love in the midst of darkness! After all, shes the greatest example of faith, its perfect embodiment,10 and its purest realization.11 And while Jesus, as true God, is the ob ject of our faith (the one we believe in), Mary is the supreme model of faith (the one who best shows us what it means to believe in God). Speaking of ordinary life, we can also relate to Thereses ordinariness. Yes, it is as bad as that. Moreover, the Holy Face of Jesus has a special note, namely, his sorrow and suffering. Now, first and foremost, in my opin ion, would be to read the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, called Story of a Soul.ltf> But please dont get distracted by the sometimes flowery language. the moments of breathing is called empty. Its that brief, fragile moment in between an exhale and an inhale that, if we were to hold it too long, we might pass out. And so even now, in a wondrous yet true manner, we can and ought to console that Most Sacred Heart which is continually wounded by the sins of thankless men, since as we also read in the sacred liturgy Christ Himself, by die mouth of die Psalmist complains that He is forsaken by His friends: My Heart hath expected reproach and misery, and I looked for one that would grieve together with me, but there was none: and for one that would comfort me, and I found none (Ps 68:21) (13, emphasis added). Let no soul, even the most miserable fall prey to doubt; for, as long as one is alive, each one can become a great saint, so great is the power of Gods grace. Copyright 2023 DOKUMEN.PUB. John Clarke, OCD, vol 2, 1890-1897. 348.) God promised Abram, who was now Abraham, that through that son, Isaac, he would establish an everlasting covenant with him and his descendants, blessing them with his saving presence and protection (see Gen 17:1-21). Then if this child asks his father to punish him with a kiss, I doubt that the heart of the happy father will be able to resist the childlike confidence of his son, of whose sin cerity he is sure. Whats going to hap pen to us? Amen. Mary was full of praise because of the great things God had done for her. To help heal our trust issues with God, on the initial day of this retreat, lets turn our attention to one of the great aposdes of mercy for our time, a kindred soul to St. Therese: St. Maria Faustina Kowalska. Help me to believe that with God nothing will be impossible. Peter and Paul June 29 June 13 Our Lady of Mt. On her deathbed she said to me one day: T often repeat my act of consecration. He permitted my soul to be invaded by the thickest darkness, and that the thought of heaven, up until then so sweet to me, be no longer anything but the cause of struggle and torment.162 Clearly, Therese was dealing with a night offaith, a trial of faith. Prepare my heart to receive waves of infinite tenderness from the Heart ofJesus. Lets just say it didnt take much for me to get discouraged and de pressed. 192 Regarding the Image of Divine Mercy, Jesus tells St. Faustina, Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace (Diary, 313). To close todays reflection, lets ponder Thereses descrip tion of the Little Way as a way of darkness-. Read the latest magazines about 33-Days-to-Merciful-Love-A- and discover magazines on Yumpu.com XX English Deutsch Franais Espaol Portugus Italiano Romn Nederlands Latina Dansk Svenska Norsk Magyar Bahasa Indonesia Trke Suomi Latvian Lithuanian esk Unknown DAY 6 Mary's Song of Faith Yesterday was a bit heavy and dark. Therese doesnt seem to have a problem with it.121 After all, isnt God all-powerful? As seen on EWTN. Take St. Francis of Assisi. 98 See 33 Days to Morning Glory, pp. 80, a. He has anticipated the movements of the Holy Spirit and given us means by which to suck the marrow out of this year of Mercy. Libraries. Now, what if, as a special gift for the time of mercy, God wanted to make it easier than ever before to become a saint? He celebrated! To offer ourselves to Mercifiil Love is to let our hearts be more deeply moved by the suffering of others. But theres something else about trust a key ingredient that will help us better understand what it is, an ingredient that comes from our father in faith, our father in trust: the patriarch Abraham. And thats the beauty of Thereses path. Well, in that case, wed just be disagreeing widi Therese and siding with Sr. Febronie. 20? If you are feeling nothing, then good be happy! These words moved me deeply, and although I pretended not to hear them, I understood them very well and had no doubt about them (429). 143 Cited in Ahern, p. 190. Alright, so heres a most important question: Do you want to help save the world? DAY 28 Therese's Darkness (Part Two) Before yesterday, we may have thought that we couldnt relate to St. Therese because she lived in a convent and had no difficulties believing in God and heaven. But is she really that lowly? 90 Ibid. 16 Ibid., 17. Now, according to St. Faustina, such longing is the great suffering of purgatory.170 But here, in this life, such longing is not as bad. Hear that. 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. And when we dont fully believe that God is good, then we dont fully trust in him and thats a problem. And why, as John Paul II put it, does doing so highly respect us and ennoble us? 145 Gaucher, p. 147. Of course, such passages do not mean we know the day or the hour of the Lords coming, but they do give a greater sense of urgency to the present time of mercy. Get an Image ofDivine Mercy. Now realize this: Each inhale can be a spiritual communion. She, 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 38 too, stood in darkness. But how can we have a true friendship with Jesus if its just a one-way street? Using the same 33-day preparation format, 33 Days to Merciful Love journeys with one of the most beloved saints of modern times, St. Thrse of Lisieux, and concludes with a consecration to Divine Mercy. So, after her trust in the Lords words was blessed, Mary immediately praised the Lord. Now, thats great. 33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf. Well, if you were to ask the philosophers, most of them w'ould probably say, Its reason thats w'hat separates us from the animals. If God grants my desires, my heaven will be spent on earth until the end of time. Unlike 33 Days to Morning Glory, this book does not include four weeks with four different saints. When we love, wre cant go there.100 And as for one of her novices who told her, I fear purgatory,107 Therese had this to say: You do not have enough trust. Now, Fr. How? I want no other Throne, no other Crown but Tou, my Beloved! -- Week two: The little way -- Week three: The offering to merciful love -- Week four: Into the darkness -- Final five days: Synthesis and review In times of darkness, when youre tempted to think that God and heaven do not exist remember that smile. In fact, this freedom of choice is part of the beautiful diversity of the Christian life, and its something that St. Therese very much appreciated. (Then, ifyoud like, you can pray St. Thereses text ofthe Offering to Merciful Love on your own.) Offering to Merciful Love by St. Therese of Lisieux O My God! Because what is holiness but the Merciful Love of God poured into our hearts? This is exactly what we are at ecce. So what do they see that we dont? In other words, its not in spite of humility but, rather, because of humility that she believed she could become one of the greatest of saints. Put differently, we just need to remember to do three things: (1) Recognize, (2) Trust, and (3) Try. And the Lord gave me to know who it is that upholds the existence of mankind: it is the chosen souls (ibid., 926). Wisdom & Works of Mercy; Stage 3. The average Christian in our day struggles with attachments, addictions, deliberate venial sins, and even potentially grave sins. 112 Ive written a whole book explaining how we can show mercy and so hope to receive it. The corrupt man tires of asking for forgiveness and ends up believing that he doesnt need to ask for it any more. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Thankfully, Therese was very much WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love 71 attracted to another kind of offering: the Offering to Merciful Love. So, I know what Mark meant. Now, while its beautiful to have a compassionate heart, it does hurt. Saint Faustina once had a vision of purgatory (that place of suffering for the souls of those who die in a state of grace but who are still in need of purification100), and she asked the souls there what their greatest suffering was. Therefore, hes looking for families who will invite him into their homes and allow him to give them the love that so many other families reject. 99 Cited by Genevieve of the Holy Face (Celine Martin) in My Sister St. Therese, trans. Stage 1. But its not really a question for Jesus; its a question for us. In response, with love and kindness, the young nun calmly tried to explain the matter, but Sr. Febronie would have none of it. And so, she bore both of those temptations, and not just for a day but for more than a year. Using the same 33-day preparation format, 33 Days to Merciful Love journeys with one of the most beloved saints of modern times, St. Thrse of Lisieux, and concludes with a consecration to Divine Mercy. 153 Therese believed she could only do littie things for God. Celine chose one item that pleased her. 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. 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. 191 Regarding the graces associated with the Image of Divine Mercy, see the following words of Jesus to St. Faustina, recorded in her Diary. I understand, however, that all souls cannot be the same, that it is necessary there be different types in order to honor each of Gods perfections in a particular way. So really, the lack is on the side of sinful humanity but we can help make up for that. Because of what she went through on Calvary. For example, a group of college roommates could make the offering. Okay, but how does one live this perfect motivation as a single act of ones life? I say that because our prayers truly can obtain for others this amazing mercy, even for those who seem hopelessly lost. I understand, however, that all souls cannot be die same, that it is necessary there be different types in order to honor each of Gods per fections in a particular way. Its to hope against hope, like Mary did at the Cross, believing in the impossible, namely, that God could even raise Jesus from the dead. Rather, ideally, you should begin your preparation 33 days before an appropriate feast day. Appendix Two Family Offering and Divine Mercy Image Enthronement | This appendix is an excerpt from Divine Mercy Image Explained bv hr. It was explicit in [the year] 2000, but it was something that had been maturing in [John Pauls] heart for some time. Be the first to ask a question about 33 Days, to Morning Glory Retreat Companion. She just wants us to come to under stand Gods goodness and accept his Merciful Love. She hoped against hope, believing that, as the angel said, with God nothing will be impossible. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. and trans. 63 Ibid., p. 113. 33 Days to Merciful Love is the stirring sequel to the international sensation, 33 Days to Morning Glory. Traveling by horse and buggy, we arrived in thirty days at the Himalayan site of Ranikhet. On Calvary, Marys Heart was pierced with a sword, as Simeon had foretold (see Lk 2:35). It is to their hearts that God deigns to lower Himself. Uncategorized; 27. 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 150 Prayer. So why not just aim to be a little saint who simply makes it into heaven widiout spending time in purgatory? Todays prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. (More on that tomorrow.) Edit Details. Well, consider the following. [Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1982], p. 114). The catch is that our hearts will begin to become more as they should be: deeply moved by the suffering of others. When I say mortified, this is not to give the impression that I performed acts of penance. We give ourselves to you and ask you to share with us your Immaculate Heart. Time is nothing in Your eyes, and a single day is like a thousand years. And such hope is what Therese wants every little soul to experience: O Jesus! But then Id go back to Thereses writings and find hope again and then Id listen to the thieves of hope again. Well, I say that because Jesus is God, and again, our wound has to do with God. In the end, then, we can compete. 98-99). Abrahams whole walk with God was a walk of faith. 149 Cited in The Power of Confidence, pp. (When I renew my consecration annually, I like to recite the prayer from the original copy and then sign and date it again.) 112-13. Seraphims words, I knew he was right, because I remembered how Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta had often written about the importance of accepting everything with a smile, with praise and thanksgiving. Day of Consecration 'The Happy Day' JT)l HAPPY. After all, only the merciful will be shown mercy (see Mt 5:7, 18:2135). More over, Marie felt that she herself was the little bird and that there was no hope for her to love God as Therese loved him. Reviews. Well, that moment of emptiness illustrates for us our utter ecce. In fact, you might say that die self revelation of God through the burning bush as I AM advances to the self-revelation of God through the burning love of the Cross as /thirst" (Jn 19:28). Moreover, such holiness is not a human work but, rather, Gods work, a work of Divine Mercy rushing down to the lowest place. In other words, I diligently searched through nearly all of St. Thereses writings in order to discover once and for all whether or not the Little Way really could give hope of becoming a saint even to someone like me. 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). Therese believed that she was the weakest and littlest of souls (humility) and therefore she felt confident of becoming one of the greatest of saints (magnanimity). Moreover, while were in the ecce moment, we normally dont feel like praising and thanking, and thats all right. Are you going to console his Heart by letting him pour into your soul the love that others have rejected? How? In fact, in a sense, its sometimes better that little souls arent successful. And this is the very definition of mercy, which the parable of the Good Samaritan seems to reveal most clearly: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Saint Peter Canisius, Doctor of the Church (feast day: Dec. 21 ), travelled more than 20,000 miles on horseback during his years of ministry and essentially renewed the Catholic faith in Germany. But how did she do it? We tell her shes forgiven but in vain. You will ask your questions in words, and get answers in words.. Workbook pages your students will complete: Divine Mercy (page 8) The Church: A Sign of Salvation (page 9) Signs and Symbols Scavenge And also: [E]ven if I were to be told of Gods justice and of how even the pure spirits tremble and cover their faces before Him, saying endlessly, Holy, which would seem to suggest that my familiarity with God would be to the detriment of His honor and majesty, [I would reply,] O no, no, and once again, no! (ibid, 947). In fact, its perfect if H APPENDIX TWO: Family Offering & Image Enthronement 171 youre not perfect! I recommend that a family make such an offering (or renew it) on one of their favorite Marian feasts, on St. Josephs feast day (March 19), or on one of the Mercy feasts such as the memorial of St. Therese of Lisicux (Oct. 1), the memorial of St. Faustina APPENDIX TWO: Family Offering & Image Enthronement 173 (Oct. 5), Divine Mercy Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter),220 or Trinity' Sunday, which is the day St. Therese first received the inspiration to offer herself to Merciful Love. And how do we console him best? This blood and water (which is his mercy) and this wonderful air (which is also his mercy) fill your soul. Thereses battle with scruples began during her retreat in preparation for her First Holy Communion, a retreat that was led by a very severe priest. And why is that? In odier words, it doesn't focus on lots of vocal prayers each day of the retreat but, rather, on short spiritual readings that you can easily ponder in your heart throughout the day. Author : Michael E. Gaitley. As Christians, our hearts are supposed to be merciful. I want to console You for the ingratitude of the wicked, and I beg of You to take away my freedom to displease You. You, at least, come to Me as often as possible and take these graces they do not want to accept. The Offering to Merciful Love sounds great: For the purpose of consoling Jesus, we would ask for and accept all the rejected love and tender mercy that other souls dont want. 51 Story ofa Soul, p. 198. DAY 27 Therese's Darkness (Part One) Yesterday, we focused on the worlds darkness and the ways that we can help save the world through Divine Mercy. Thankfully, Therese anticipated their difficulty. The first objection has to do with yesterdays reflection on purgatory. Thats what John Paul II marvels at when he asks, Could mans dignity be more highly respected and ennobled, for, in obtaining mercy, [man] is in a sense the one who at the same time shows mercy? In sum then: God doesnt need us, but in Christ Jesus, he chose to need our love. (Washington, DC: ICS Publications, 1996), p. 174. Finally, it is not to become discouraged over ones faults, for little children fall often, but they arc too little to hurt themselves very much. Seraphim interrupted my contentment: And how do you live trust? As we also learned on Day 13, St. Therese is a prophet w ho teaches us that in the present time of mercy, God w ants to work some of the greatest miracles of his mercy in the history of the WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness 105 world. The latter kind of sin is what I mean by deliberate venial sin, the kind of sin that is chosen after some reflection and with awareness that it is displeasing to God. I mean, proper conscience formation and learning to see through the lens of mercy doesnt just happen. Finally, it is to he worried about nothing, and not to he set on earning our living. Youre not attractive! In other words, what we think is right and wrong may not actually be whats truly right and wrong. More specifically, what is Divine Mercy? ct. o So, what about you? One night, after embarking on his journey, Abram com plained to the Lord that he was childless and had no heir.