His goodness. When I became aware of Gods great plans for me, I was frightened at their greatness and felt myself quite incapable of fulfilling them, and I began to avoid interior conversations with Him, filling up the time with vocal prayer. It just takes you and me and maybe one other person. Alright, well, because were looking for a unifying statement, something diat can summarize the main points of what weve learned, it may be helpfal to have something more. Still, we do have a lot of freedom regarding how we approach the truths of the moral life, which things well emphasize, and which truths weU especially choose to live by. 255-283. if'i',,11' K lr Mi.in.I Giiil. But Therese tells us to try. (Washington, DC: ICS Publications, 1982), pp. (Thus, she says in the text of the Offering that she wants God himself to be her Sanctity and wants God to look upon her only in the Face of Jesus and in His Heart burning with Love.") Lowest prices Gallery wrap Framing options FREE SHIPPING on Divine Mercy Prints and Prayercards Y26-PIM10GW Y26-PB10GW (See below) Prayercards (1000) 2 %"x 3" cards $14.95 8" x 10" Prints (50) 8" x 10" prints $14.95 (400) 8" x W prints $64.95 Print. So, I know what Mark meant. I desire to accomplish Your will perfectly and to reach the degree of glory You have prepared for me in Your Kingdom. He does every thing to please us and were focused on pleasing ourselves. 194 While the idea that we can console Jesus die Head of the Mystical Body sometimes causes difficulty for people, the idea that we can console Jesus in the members of his Body is usually not a. problem. True greatness isnt based on the judgment and assessment of mortals. Using the same 33-day preparation format, 33 Days to Merciful Love journeys with one of the most beloved saints of modern times, St. Therese of Lisieux, and concludes with a consecration to Divine Mercy. And thats a big deal. 49 Ibid. 32 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE The great key, the great secret, has to do with Marys faith, because faith gets to her deepest reality'. Well answer it tomorrow. 45 Regarding Therese being a victim of bullying, an outcast, and loner who couldnt join in the games of the others or comb her ow n hair, see Story ofa Soul, pp. 33 Days To Merciful Love A Do It Yourself Retreat In Preparation For Divine Mercy . 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. But, of course, we cant just sit back, relax, and enjoy such happiness. 178 For group recitation, I recommend the Prayer of Consecration to Mer ciful Love. Bless us with your mercy when we leave our home and bless us again when we return. When he returned four hours later and everybody had forgotten about it, she ran at once to Marie, saying: Mane, hurry and tell Papa I tore the paper. Then she awaited her sentence as if she were a criminal (Story ofa Soul, pp. Lets let Therese herself explain this amazing point. 18-19). Im convinced that I can change die world and that you can, too. Her Divine Son, my Beloved Spouse, told us in the days of His mortal life: What soever you ask the Lather in my name he will give it to you!" 176 Regarding the clause through the hands of Mary Immaculate, see previous endnote. More Details. She does this through her powerful prayers for us, which are so effective because of the suffering she endured at the foot of the Cross. Abram believed the Lords Word, and he was later given a son through his wife, Sarah, though she was beyond childbearing years (see Gen 21:1-3). Michael Gaitley, MIC, this 33 Days to Merciful Love Retreat Companion goes even deeper than the book alone and explores new material on the heart of St. Thrse of Lisieuxs Little Way, uncovering the power of trust in the face of personal darkness, inspiring participants to become great saints amid ordinary circumstances, and laying the foundation for a personal consecration to Divine Mercy. 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. In order to live in one single act of perfect Love, 1 OFFER MYSELF AS A VICTIM OF HOLO CAUST TO YOUR MERCIFUL LOVE, asking You to consume me incessantly, allowing the waves of infinite tenderness shut up within You to overflow into my soul, and that thus I may become a martyr of Your Love, O my God! Elsewhere she writes: The soul which offers itself to love does not ask for suffering, but, in delivering itself up entirely to the designs of love, it ac cepts all that Providence permits for it of joys, labor, trials, and it counts on infinite mercy for everything (Cited in Pere Jean du Coeur de Jesus dElbee, 1 Believe in Love: Retreat Confer ences on the Interior Life, trans. 184 See, for instance, die Second Vatican Councils Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes (December 7, 1965) and Declaration on Religious Liberty, Dignitatis Humanae (.De cember 7,1965). Amen. For instance, after hearing some of the other nuns talking about how theyd probably end up in purgatory, Therese responded, Oh! Now realize this: Each inhale can be a spiritual communion. Now, as weve learned, the threefold means to that goal involve trusting, trying, and recognizing. Specifically, it follows the theology of her Offering to Merciful Love, which is essentially a consecration to Divine Mercy. Our Father 4. But know that your decision is going to cost you some work. One of my teachers felt sorry for me and graciously invited me to spend Christmas with her and her family a true act of mercy! WEEK ONE: What Is Trust? I WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love 79 know that of myself I would not merit even to enter that place of expiation since only holy souls can have entrance there, but I also know that the Fire of Love is more sanctifying than is the fire of purgatory. As soon as she does anything wrong, everybody must know it. DAY 23 The Blindness to Sin Living the Little Way requires that we recognize our littleness. Im confident that if we dedicate ourselves to this more refined prayer pondering, well be able to embrace the truth of this consecration in a single gaze offaith. (Libertyville, Ill.: Marytown Press, 2007), pp. Specifically, he appeared to St. Faustina and told her to paint an image of himself with the words Jesus, I trust in you at the bottom. WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness 111 Her breathing suddenly became weaker and more laboured. This week, we'll explore the role that darkness plays in living it out. Be happy like Therese, who believed that He will undoubtedly awaken before my great eternal retreat. Be happy like Therese, who, despite feeling far from being a saint, trusted that God would eventually make her into a great one. WEEK TWO: The Little Way 59 Thats certainly reasonable, but Therese would have none of it. Again, that is die glorious perfection of faith. Its about discovering extraordinary joy, happiness, and peace in the midst of regular, ordinary, day-to-day existence. Of course, the joy hasnt always bubbled over, and sometimes Ive w avered from the Little Way and lost my peace, but for the most part, its been a deep and growing peace and joy for 15 years. APPENDIX ONE: Living the Offering 159 To understand what I mean by perfection on our side, it will be helpful to look at what the Church means by perfect contrition. Perfect contrition is when were sorry for our sins not because we fear hell and punishment but, rather, because our sins offend God, whom we love. (See also ibid., pp. And so, this vulnerability of God in Christ is part of the poverty of the incarnation (see 2 Cor 8:9) and is a particularly profound aspect of the self-emptying of Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at (Phil 2:6-7). 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 150 Prayer. Still, in the midst of such darkness, she clung to the Lord with faith, hope, and love and encourages us to do the same. 81 Ixtter 197 to Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart, September 17,1896, Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, trans. DAY OF CONSECRATION: 'The Happy Day' In the evening of this life, I shall appear before You with empty hands, for I do not ask You, Lord, to count my works. But look at what weve just learned from the ecce, fiat, magnificat movement: The path to praise begins with the ecce moment. 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 78 DAY 18 No Purgatory? And thats the beauty of Thereses path. 31 Cited by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia, October 19, 1997,10. He wants to save the world through a legion of little souls inspired by saints like Therese of Lisieux. However, while Abraham ultimately did not have to go through with the sacrifice, Mary had to watch and be present during the torture and slaughter of her dearly beloved Son all the way to its agonizing end. Even among the poor, as long as the child is very litde, they give him whatever is necessary; but as soon as he grows up, his father no longer wants to feed him and says: Work now! While Week Three of the retreat will go into much more detail about St. Thereses Offering, here Ill just summarize its three most basic points. But its a beautiful wound the wound of love! Take away anyfears or anxieties I may have about making the Offering. But hers is not die unhealdiy preoccupation with suffering that marked her early religious life. But my plea was a mere nothing in the face of the divine anger. Its because, again, weve arrived at the perfection of faith. 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! The greatness of Its majesty pierced me deeply, and I did not dare to repeat my entreaties. She knew that, compared to God, shed always be a weak, pitiful lover. Here, Therese speaks of suffering as a grace. First, Thereses Offering to Merciful Love is based on her profound insight into the love of the Heart of Jesus. -- Week two: The little way -- Week three: The offering to merciful love -- Week four: Into the darkness -- Final five days: Synthesis and review "With one servant, I set out on the 500-mile trip. Thereses advice is something weve already heard: Keep trying (As soon as you try to please Him in everything ). After all, shes a creature like us. Now, how the Lord gives this amazing gift of mercy, how we can receive it, and what all this means will be the topic of the retreat, which brings us to the next dot to connect. 60 Cited in With Empty Hands, p. 104. 54 Ibid., pp. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because 1 pour all the treasures of My graces into them. Maybe youre not quite ready. And then well remember I hope well remember Marys example of faith at the foot of the Cross. If I were to reveal to you the whole misery that you are, you would die of terror. The Mass is, as it were, heaven on earth. For instance, back on Day 4, we saw that Mary, the Mother of God, had to eat the daily bread of darkness. 23-53. 218 Ibid., 454. Let me put it this way: Have you ever wondered why the great saints often spoke of themselves as being the biggest sinners? Amen. And so begins again that wonderful cycle of love and mercy: rccr/empty fiat/in magnificat/out ectf/emptyfiat/in magnificat/out. Heres what I mean: Jesus likes to keep little souls little. 76 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE Okay, so all that should give us a sense of Marys suffering as she stood at the foot of the Cross. Instead, everything was dryness and desolation. (428 pages.) Instead, she was an eagle! So, up to the time of her trial of faith, which she describes above, the darkness of Thereses Little Way was really about recognizing her helplessness and feeling incapable of the works of holiness. 207 Karol Wojtyla, cited by George Weigel in Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II ( New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1999), p. 102. Faith is a gift of grace. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture speaks of a cleansing fire (1030 1031). Remember that image? In fact, the other school kids bullied her and made fun of this girl who didnt know how to join in their games and couldnt even comb her own hair.45 In the midst of her extreme loneliness and sensitivity, Therese deeply longed to be loved. I will provide them with everything they need to attain sanctity. We may have to hope against hope in Gods promise of mercy. For instance, she records the following in her Diary. And for such belief, for such hoping against hope in darkness, for such praising and thanking God in all circumstances, we, too, like Abraham and Mary, will be richly blessed. Libraries. For instance, we read the following in the introduction to her autobiography: T [Jesus] set before me the book of nature; I under stood how all the flowers He has created are beautiful, how t he splendor of the rose and die whiteness of the Lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightfill simplicity of the daisy. In response, with love and kindness, the young nun calmly tried to explain the matter, but Sr. Febronie would have none of it. faithful by numerous Popes. Its to praise and thank God in all circumstances, because while we may not always understand his ways, we know and believe the love God has for us (1 Jn 4:16). Therese s teaching on trust, which, as well learn this week, is called the Little Way. This Little Way will bear striking similarities to Abraham 's and Marysfaith, the essence of which is to believe that what is spoken by the Lord will befulfilled. Wheres the call to recognize the darkness of our littleness? Frankly, youre a very broken little girl. Bless everyone we meet with the mercy you pour into our hearts. Help me to live my life so Illgo straight to heaven when I die. That was St. Thereses intention in making it, and it should be our intention as well. What? He encourages us to contemplate Mary's leap of faith - when the angel proclaimed that she, a virgin, would conceive a child - and not any child - but the Messiah - the Son of God! But a mother, who 42 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE is not God, can often win over such straying hearts. In other words, it called into question Gods 116 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE goodness. 98-99). 145 Gaucher, p. 147. 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. But whats the catch? (I have always remained litde, therefore, having no other occupation but that of gathering flowers, the flowers of love and sacrifice, and of offering them to God in order to please Him. For instance, in preparation for her First Holy Com munion at age 10, she made and recorded 1,949 small sacrifices and 2,773 short prayers!37 (Thankfully, Jesus himself later taught her, as she put it, not to count up my acts.38) Much worse, though, was her painful bout with scruples, which often goes along with Jansenist thinking. A: Pray for us. So, if you want God to be strict with everyone, and if you yourself decide to be strict with others, then God will be strict with you. It will be much easier for you to live the Little Way, become one of the greatest saints of all time, and help save the world. We give ourselves to you and ask you to share with us your Immaculate Heart. 1 believe it will become a spiritual classic, right up there with 33 Days to Morning Glory.''' We saw how the Mass is our way of anticipating and partici pating in the perfect love of God for himself, and thereby, a way to become perfect ourselves. Let me explain. Its the idea that God lowers himself more togive himselfto little souls than to thegreat souls. Rather, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph had an ordinary life of work, recreation, and prayer. Fill me with Merciful Love so that, through it, I may see all of God's perfections, including his justice, as clothed in love. They are, to tell the truth, the spiritual riches that render one unjust, when one rests in them with complacence and WEEK TWO: The Little Way when one believes they are something great Ah! If so, then youre a little one. 102 Story of a Soul, p. 181. 15 Ibid., 14. I Myself will defend it as My own glory (48). Alright, so do you want to know what it is? So God has two problems: (1) He wants us fallen creatures to believe in his Word and to trust in his goodness, but thats something he cant force, because trust, like love, must be given in freedom. I feel in my heart immense desires and it is with confidence I ask You to come and take possession of my soul. How could the world be blessed through a dead son? However, as we learned on Day 7, the Lord relies on us to help bring his salvation to others, even to those at the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). 1 do so with the burning desire that the message of Gods merciful love, proclaimed here through Saint Faustina, may be made known to all the peo ples of the earth and fill their hearts with hope. FINAL FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review 117 Grace Mary is not only a perfect model of faith and trust for us, but she obtains for us the grace to believe and to trust in God. Than to thegreat souls about making the Offering going to cost you some work I recommend the Prayer of to. Togive himselfto little souls than to thegreat souls Publications, 1982 ), pp 33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf... His Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia, October 19, 1997,10: have ever... Some of the Divine anger wondered why the great saints often spoke of themselves as the... 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