33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf

Then, Week Four will cover the 24 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE topic of darkness as a bittersweet mystery in our own lives as well as in the life of St. Thercse. Second, its clear from the obituary that Sr. Marie had fallen under the influence of Jansenism, as we can tell from some of her anxious last words: I dont have enough merits, I must acquire more of them.87 (Those words would have made an impression on the saint of the Little Way, who did not want to lay up merits for heaven but wanted to work for love alone.) All of us, at one time or another, have basked in the rays of Gods love (called by St. Ignatius of Loyola consolation). Of course, you should try not to miss a day of reading, but if you do, dont worry. Nothing has ever hit me so strongly. 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. Created Date: 3/5/2020 4:26:45 PM Inhale after doing about 20 seconds of empty lungs. 2M Ibid. WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love 75 DAY 17 What's the Catch? And she also said something else thats familiar: Keep trusting ( and have an unshakable trust). As she herself expressed it to the Lord: For me to love You as You love me, I would have to borrow Your own love.147 And she knew hed give it. I am completely self-sufficient and dont need you, but you need me for everything." And from her pierced Heart, we obtain the grace to have hearts that open up to receive the love and mercy pouring forth from the Sacred Heart of Jesus (see Lk 2:35). Like the Saint of the Little Way, St. Faustina also received the grace of having Holy Communion remain within her: September 29, [1937]. Youre nothing." That was the lens through which he saw Christ, and so he became poor himself, and poverty colored lais walk with Christ. And she knew she could! 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. Emphasis added. To obtain a certificate (MLC) or prayercard (33PC) that include the image on the cover ofthis book and the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love, call 800-462-7426 or visit ShopMercy.org. Almost everyone else has abanJ^/doned him, but Mary is here with you. There are lots -ZX of reasons why people invite others into their homes. 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. Of course, before we can get to that last day, well need to start with the first, which now follows. The first objection has to do with yesterdays reflection on purgatory. But her pilgrimage of faith had not yet met its ultimate test. After all, maybe he could have gotten the number down to just three. "10' Alright, so does the Offering to Merciful Love make this life into purgatory? Let me explain with an image that Therese herself used. It was explicit in [the year] 2000, but it was something that had been maturing in [John Pauls] heart for some time. But those last WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness 95 words arc extremely telling. "37 Yes, singing is in order for in rediscovering the Gospel, Therese had also rediscovered the joy of the Gospel. Michael Gaitley and based on his bestselling book The Second Greatest Story Ever Told. 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). And yet, through the Mass, we truly and fully participate in that mystery. We know the rest of the story. However, while I do recom mend privately praying Thereses actual prayer at least once (preferably on your consecration day), I dare say that there are two difficulties with using it under other circumstances: (1) Its rather long, and so it may not be practical for everyone to use as a daily prayer. onscience. 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. In other words, the focus is on another person, not on ourselves. For more information on the spirituality of offering ourselves with Christ to the Father at the Mass, see my book The One Thing Is Three: How the Most Holy Trinity Explains Everything (Stockbridge: Marian Press, 2012), pp. About the Program. But tlacn, eventually, Id read something in Thereses writings that would give me hope. That vessel is this image with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You (327). Remember how he spoke with God about Sodom and Gomorrah? 154 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE Now, on this topic of God not needing us, Id say that Exodus 3:14 puts it best. I feel that the Lord really7 wants it. It was clear to me that the Lord had spoken to Fr. Christo pher OMahony. Yet our rulers were just seeking to stone him? Think of it! 109 Cited in van Dijk. Okay, but how does one live this perfect motivation as a single act of ones life? 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. Well, basically, to offer oneself as a victim soul to Gods justice, as Sr. Marie did, is to make a sort of deal with the Lord, a deal that would go something like this: Lord, please give to me all the punishment thats due to sinners, and then give to sinners the blessings I would normally receive as a faithful religious. Perhaps surprisingly, the Lord would take people up on such an offer. More specifically, its to believe that God is faithful to his promises, to believe that God is faithful even when it seems impossible. Endnotes 187 My daughter, take the graces that others spurn; take as many as you can carry (454). An act of merciful love is only really such when we are deeply convinced at the moment that we perform it that we are at the same time receiving mercy from the people who are accepting it from us. 44 Story of a Soul, pp. After all, it was the devil himself who said to St. John Vianney, If there were three upon earth like you, my kingdom would be destroyed.156 Just three! 83 Ibid. It begins with seeing that he longs to pour his Merciful Love out on sinners and that so many reject his love. The awareness of this plunges me into deep recollection, without the slightest effort on my part. But, of course, we cant just sit back, relax, and enjoy such happiness. And so, in diis way, God manifests His infinite grandeur. In other words, when the Lord stoops down to litde souls, it makes his glory shine even more. Read 4 reviews from the worlds largest community for readers. My nature was such that fear made me recoil; with love not only did I advance, I actually flew" (Ibid., p. 174). "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? And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, Take 54 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back (Lk 10:30 35). And by the way, if you plan to make your consecration in a group setting, see the note at the bottom of page 137. Numbers to each paragraph added. Moreover, such a martyrdom is very sweet171 and purifies the soul completely, leaving no trace of sin or punishment, which means it will not have to pass through the fire of purgatory. When, on one occasion, instead of interior prayer, I took up a book of spir itual reading, I heard these words spoken distinctly and forcefully within my soul, You will prepare the world for My final coming. DAY 26 The World's Darkness This week, weve focused on better understanding the darkness of our own weakness, brokenness, and sin. Ive often pondered these questions, and what follows are three answers that, I hope, will help us live the Offering to Merciful Love with the same generous spirit as the Saint of Lisieux. How can it be true friendship if were the only ones in need? So, let me repeat: To live the Little Way, we must be merciful to others. But the problem is we forget. 65 Wlekti-irle. Okay, so here we seem to have a case where less is more. In other words, it may be better to have something 126 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE thats shorter (less) than Thereses text of Offering and that will also summarize all the main teachings weve covered during this retreat (more). Because of what she went through on Calvary. O my Jesus, let me be this happy victim; consume Your holocaust with the fire of your Divine Love!91 From this beautiful prayer, we begin to arrive at the essence of the Offering to Merciful 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. (When I renew my consecration annually, I like to recite the prayer from the original copy and then sign and date it again.) See also The Power of Confi dence, pp. All of these perfec tions appear to be resplendent with love-, even His Justice (and perhaps this even more so than the others) seems to me clothed in love. Sometimes we may be tempted to avoid going to Jesus because of our weaknesses, sinfulness, and attachments. Witness that 1 choose to accept St. Thereses help as 1 prepare to offer myself to Merciful Love. Well, an exasperated St. Therese said to Sr. Febronie (and, perhaps, to us, too): My sister, ifyou look for the justice of God you will get it." And this easily can save the world. I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 52 climb the rough stairway of perfection. It provides us the opportunity, in the veiled form of Sacrament, to love God as he loves us, to actually love him perfectly. The heart-healing graces of die Offering to Merciful Love dont usually come all at once. For instance, I can pray and sacrifice for you, and it makes a differ ence. But I dont understand why. 60-65. Problem is, Marie didnt like the story. But if they did see the reality of his love, their eyes would be opened to their sinfulness. Did you know you that the Church gives us a lot of freedom regarding how we properly form our conscience? 125 Cited by Patrick Ahern, in Maurice and Therese: The Story of a Love (New York: Doubleday, 1998), p. 139. With her prayers, shes preparing your heart to accept the gift of the Offering to Merciful Love. (See Appendix Two for more information.) An Age when all people can appeal to Perfect Mercy without fear of Perfect Justice. Whats going to hap pen to us? Search the history of over 778 billion But how can this be? Well learn the reasons for diat during Week One of this retreat which brings me to die structure of this book and how it works. I want to work for Your Love alone widi the one purpose of pleasing You, consoling Your Sacred Heart, and saving souls who will love You eternally. Purgatory Heres one other catch that comes with making the Offering to Merciful Love: It gradually increases our longing for God. Be a little more humble and realistic. He believed Gods promise, even to the extent of hoping against hope (Rom WEEK ONE: What Is Trust? 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. Rather, its a self-offering to God (a setting of oneself apart for God) dtat anyone can make whether the person is a member of die clergy, consecrated religious, or laity and they do it for the specific purpose ofglorifying Gods mercy. Of course, we know the rest of the story. 347-348. Lets be clear about something right off the bat: God doesnt need us. Jesus was sleeping as usual in my little boat; ah! He will undoubtedly awaken before my great eternal retreat, but instead of being troubled about it this only gives me extreme pleasure. Anyway, whichever prayer you choose for your day of con secration, make sure you spend some time today meditating on it (or on them, if you decide to pray both prayers tomorrow). + Aftlndix Onl Living the Offering In the text of her Offering to Merciful Love, St. Therese talks about her desire to console Jesus, to live in one single act of perfect love, and to renew her Offering with each beat of her heart. I found hope. Inspire me to help save the world as a prayerful missionary of Divine Mercy. In a certain sense, God needs this womans help. Im adapting it slightly, particularly so we can pray it in the first person. Let me explain. At that very moment I felt in my soul the power of Jesus grace, which dwells in my soul. Agree to stumble at every step therefore, even to fall, to carry your cross weakly, to love your helpless ness. Similarly, after we inhale Gods Merciful Love, because it was so good and refreshing, well need to praise and thank him for the gift of his mercy. In fact, in a sense, its sometimes better that little souls arent successful. And because the human heart of Jesus is united to and burns with Divine Love, his desire to love and to be loved infinitely surpasses our own desires. Why did he put himself in need of mercy from us? Emphasis added. However, I can suggest a way of renewing it with every breath. Francis choice of poverty affected rhe way his conscience judged him. 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. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!95 lam looking for souls who would like to receive My grace.96 So, do you want to console Jesus by receiving his grace? 198 Catechism, 467. How do we persevere in faith, hope, and love in the midst of deep spiritual darkness? Not yet met its ultimate test did you know you that the Lord take! 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